Latest publications

Vet J. 2026 Jun 11:106740. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106740. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Obesity is a recognised risk factor for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in pugs; however, the mechanisms linking obesity to BOAS remain unclear. Previous veterinary studies have primarily focused on tongue fat, with limited evaluation of other airway regions. This study aimed to investigate the associations between body condition score (BCS) and regional airway fat, and their relationship with BOAS functional grades. Client-owned pugs undergoing BOAS assessment and pre-operative head and neck computed tomography (CT) were enrolled. Fat volumes within the tongue (T), pharynx (P), larynx (L), and total upper airway (V) were measured and normalised using a skull size index (S). Dogs were classified as non-obese (BCS = 4-5/9) or obese (BCS = 7-9/9), and BOAS severity was classified as grade II (moderate) or grade III (severe). Forty-nine BOAS-affected pugs (31 females and 18 males) were included, of which 17 were non-obese and 32 were obese. The median age was 45 months (range: 10-174 months). A significant positive association was identified between BCS and tongue fat (T/S) (p = 0.028). Moreover, pugs with grade III BOAS exhibited significantly greater laryngeal fat (L/S) than those with grade II BOAS (p = 0.034). These findings suggest that weight management and strategies aimed at reducing regional fat accumulation may help mitigate upper airway obstruction in obese pugs, particularly by targeting excess laryngeal fat, which was significantly associated with severe BOAS. Further research is warranted to investigate whether genetic factors influence regional airway fat distribution and to develop targeted treatment strategies aimed at reducing fat accumulation around the larynx.

PMID:42276157 | DOI:10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106740

Microbiology (Reading). 2026 Jun;172(6). doi: 10.1099/mic.0.001713.

ABSTRACT

Bacterial pathogens can increase transmission opportunities by surviving in the external environment, but despite wide variation in this ability, the drivers of such differences remain poorly understood. Here, we comparatively analysed data from 47 studies on 29 bacterial pathogens to investigate how phylogeny, structural traits (cell wall structure), life history (transmission mode, lifestyle, generation time) and abiotic conditions (temperature, humidity and surface material) influence persistence following deposition on inert surfaces. Our results showed that bacterial species differ consistently in persistence, but not in a way predicted by phylogeny. Of the bacterial traits, cell wall structure had a significant effect, with Gram-positive bacteria showing longer survival times. In contrast, transmission mode, lifestyle and generation time had no consistent effect on persistence. Bacteria also survived longer on inorganic surfaces, but with no significant effect of temperature or humidity. These findings indicate that both bacterial structural traits and abiotic conditions may play crucial roles in shaping bacterial persistence in the environment, likely through effects on resistance to hypoosmotic stress. How the benefits of persisting in dry external environments, for instance, by harbouring a Gram-positive cell wall, trade off with survival in hyperosmotic conditions or in the face of immune defences, however, remain to be determined.

PMID:42258372 | DOI:10.1099/mic.0.001713

Hemasphere. 2026 May 29;10(6):e70381. doi: 10.1002/hem3.70381. eCollection 2026 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) are among the most common monogenic disorders worldwide. They cause chronic hemolytic anemia, the consequences and prognosis of which vary considerably depending on the genetic characteristics of patients and the healthcare system in their country of residence. Both diseases are autosomal recessive in their transmission, with carriers generally being asymptomatic. Informing carriers of thalassemia or SCD about reproductive risks and choices, while taking into account cultural and religious considerations, is a priority within global strategies to improve outcomes for these diseases. The European Hematology Association (EHA)'s Topic In Focus (TIF) Hemoglobinopathies Group created a focus group of hematologists, patients, anthropologists, and an obstetrician from Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa. The Group considered that preconceptual screening tests would correspond to tests conducted before pregnancy (screening for carriers before marriage/conception), antenatal screening referred to tests completed on pregnant women, and prenatal diagnosis referred to tests performed on the fetus. It proposed guidelines addressing optimal timing of screening, appropriate laboratory tests, and communication strategies, taking into account the great diversity of regions and cultures where thalassemia and SCD are present. A main discussion point was that no recommendations would be given for couples about reproductive decisions, and that the aim was to present the existing and available options in different countries. Eight questions were examined using available literature, leading to the formulation of seven recommendations, which were submitted to a vote using the Delphi method. Consensus agreement was obtained for all recommendations.

PMID:42255946 | PMC:PMC13240542 | DOI:10.1002/hem3.70381

Vet Rec. 2026 May/Jun 30;198(11):483-484. doi: 10.1002/vetr.70837.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42212810 | DOI:10.1002/vetr.70837

Lancet Planet Health. 2027 Mar 3:101445. doi: 10.1016/j.lanplh.2026.101445. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emerges primarily through antibiotic exposure and the resulting selection pressure, but climate change is likely to accelerate the dissemination of AMR, particularly for zoonotic diseases, such as those caused by Salmonella. However, the link between climatic factors and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) carried by Salmonella remains poorly characterised. This longitudinal ecological study aimed to link climate change to ARGs using multiple regression models.

METHODS: We analysed a comprehensive dataset of 488 232 Salmonella genomes and multiple potential predictors from 139 countries or regions over the period 1940-2023. Robustness was verified via Tobit and generalised additive models. Climate-related changes of average ARG abundance in Salmonella were quantified through counterfactual scenarios. Future ARG trends were projected to 2100 using integrated Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) with Representative Concentration Pathways scenarios (SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5).

FINDINGS: The global average ARG abundance in Salmonella has increased by 38% (0·50 copies per cell) in the time period considered. Multiple regression models revealed that variability in ARGs follows a non-linear quadratic response to temperature and precipitation. Climate change is associated with a 10% (95% CI 5·4-13·3) global rise in the abundance of Salmonella ARGs, with increases observed in 82 (82%) of 100 countries. By 2100, the emergence of ARGs is projected to be further intensified by warming; however, achieving low-emission (SSP1-2.6) targets alongside strengthened antibiotic stewardship programmes could reduce Salmonella ARGs by 24% (95% CI 21-29) as compared with high-emission scenarios (SSP5-8.5).

INTERPRETATION: This study provides global evidence linking climate change to ARG dynamics in Salmonella. Warming and shifting precipitation patterns are associated with rising ARG abundance and are projected to further exacerbate AMR risks under high-emission scenarios (SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5). These findings highlight the need to integrate climate considerations into AMR surveillance and stewardship, providing a quantitative basis for climate-informed strategies to restrict future resistance escalation.

FUNDING: National Key Research and Development Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China, and Beijing Municipal Sci-Tech Project on Ecology and Environment.

PMID:42190676 | DOI:10.1016/j.lanplh.2026.101445

Lancet Microbe. 2027 Feb 10:101389. doi: 10.1016/j.lanmic.2026.101389. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The human gut microbiome shows dynamic variation throughout the lifespan and remarkable spatial organisation within the gastrointestinal tract. Complementing the focus of the first paper of this Series on the human microbiome dynamics and health, which focused on the temporal dynamics of the human gut microbiome, this second Series paper explores its biogeographical signatures, which often reflect distinct physiological niches in gastrointestinal tract regions. The spatial architecture of the gut microbiome is shaped by various factors and has important clinical implications for host homoeostasis, health, and disease. In this Series paper, we discuss current knowledge on the microbial biogeography along the gastrointestinal tract, the factors governing these spatial patterns, and their functional consequences for the host. We further focus on host-microbe interactions mediated by microbial metabolites and their impact on host health. Finally, we summarise the methodological advances that are enabling in-situ high-resolution spatial mapping of the gut microbiome as crucial tools for unravelling the detailed mechanisms of host-microbiome crosstalk. Overall, understanding the principles that govern the spatial ecology of the gut microbiome can inform the development of novel therapies designed to precisely manipulate microbial niches and restore homoeostasis along the gastrointestinal tract, thereby improving human health.

PMID:42167295 | DOI:10.1016/j.lanmic.2026.101389

Lancet Microbe. 2027 Feb 10:101388. doi: 10.1016/j.lanmic.2026.101388. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The colonisation of the human gut microbiome commences at birth and continues to evolve throughout the lifespan. A balanced symbiotic relationship between the host and gut microbiome is essential for maintaining overall health. This two-part Series presents a comprehensive overview of the gut microbiome across temporal and spatial dimensions, considering diurnal, seasonal, and lifespan variations while covering the entire gastrointestinal tract. We also discuss the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that shape the microbial ecosystem and affect host homoeostasis, health, and disease susceptibility. In this first Series paper, we summarise current knowledge on the microbial succession and evolutionary trajectory of the gut microbiome from neonates to adults aged 100 years and older, subsequently focusing on diurnal rhythms and seasonal patterns. We then discuss how these temporal variations in the gut microbiome are determined and how they contribute to beneficial or detrimental health outcomes in the host. Overall, elucidating the multiscale temporal dynamics of the human gut microbiome will open crucial opportunities to expand knowledge of host-microbiome interactions and their biological and clinical implications.

PMID:42167294 | DOI:10.1016/j.lanmic.2026.101388

J Am Chem Soc. 2026 May 21. doi: 10.1021/jacs.6c05686. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

London dispersion forces between alkyl groups can give rise to "steric attraction"─a promising molecular design principle. The scope and magnitude of this attraction are subject to intense debate, however, along with its ability to outweigh competing effects. Here, we describe a system of four tetrahedral M4LR4 cages (M = FeII or ZnII, R = Me or Et), each confining 12 R groups within the cavity. These cages clearly demonstrate how steric attraction can dictate cage stereochemistry and stability─both in solution and in the gas phase─at the expense of other driving forces. The observed trends align with the optimization of London dispersion between the confined alkyl groups, predominating over criteria of steric hindrance, strain, solvophobic effects, and metal-ligand bond strength. These differences in stability manifested during the self-sorting of a mixture containing two metals and two ligands into cages that feature optimal alkyl-alkyl contacts, despite the entropic preference for a statistical mixture. This work thus establishes metal-organic cages as a promising platform to study London dispersion forces.

PMID:42166370 | DOI:10.1021/jacs.6c05686

J Infect. 2026 May 18:106759. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106759. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronaviruses such as SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and related Sarbeco-Coronaviruses continue to pose global health threats, underscoring the need for vaccines capable of inducing broad cross-sarbecovirus protection. The pEVAC-PS vaccine was developed using Digitally Immune Optimised Synthetic Vaccine (DIOSynVax) technology and pre-clinically selected for the ability to induce broadly protective immune responses across the Sarbecoviruses including SARS, SARS-CoV-2, and related viruses representing potential zoonotic spillovers. For this first-in-human study, the antigen was delivered as a DNA vaccine to enable thermostability and needle-free intradermal administration to support future deployment in resource-limited settings.

METHODS: This open label phase I dose escalation study investigated the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the pEVAC-PS vaccine candidate against SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and related Sarbeco Coronaviruses via needle-free intra-dermal delivery using the PharmaJet Tropis Device. Healthy volunteers aged 18 to 50 who had received two or three prior doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and without recent confirmed COVID-19 infection, were enrolled sequentially to receive a dose escalation regime of 0.2mg, 0.4mg, 0.8mg, and 1.2mg of pEVAC-PS, administered at day zero and day 28. The primary outcomes were safety and reactogenicity, documented by solicited and unsolicited adverse events, serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest. Secondary outcomes were immunogenicity measured primarily by humoral responses to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 antigens at day 56 (28 days after the second dose of vaccine). International Clinical Trials Registry Platform registered, ISRCTN87813400.

FINDINGS: Between December 2021 and September 2023, a total of 39 volunteers were vaccinated. The vaccine was well tolerated at all four doses with no significant safety concerns elicited. Interpretation of immunogenicity outcomes was influenced by high baseline antibody levels and heterogeneous exposure histories due to ongoing waves of Omicron variant infections during recruitment, which differed across dose-escalation cohorts and introduced unavoidable immune bias.

INTERPRETATION: Needle-free intradermal delivery of this novel computationally designed PanSarbeco vaccine was safe and well tolerated. Although immunogenicity was modest in the context of substantial pre-existing immunity, participants developed measurable responses to conserved, vaccine-encoded sarbecovirus epitopes, supporting the feasibility of this antigen design strategy.

PMID:42155675 | DOI:10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106759

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2026 May 18;20(5):e0013343. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013343. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Large host-virus association databases are increasingly used to explore broad questions in disease ecology, particularly around host range, pathogen diversity, and the potential for spillover. While these databases have been instrumental in large-scale synthesis of host- pathogen biogeography and zoonotic risk, their potential role in addressing fine-scale questions about pathogen prevalence, maintenance, and transmission dynamics remains underexplored. In this study, we build on previous efforts to assess how different types of data, including both entries in databases and the original studies they draw from, can support targeted research on zoonotic spillover. We selected two zoonotic diseases, Ebola virus disease and Lassa fever, which are characterised by recurrent spillover events and outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched the VIRION database for entries corresponding to the respective viral taxa, the genus Orthoebolavirus and the species Mammarenavirus lassaense, and used these entries as case studies. We evaluated the extent to which databases capture crucial contextual metadata, such as spatial and temporal resolution, negative results, and measures of viral load. Guided by a conceptual framework of factors that lead to spillover, we demonstrate that while host- virus databases are valuable for addressing high-level patterns, fine-scale investigations of spillover require specific studies with detailed epidemiological data. Our study adds to a growing body of literature offering practical recommendations for database users and managers and highlights how these tools can be used as starting points in spillover research.

PMID:42149938 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0013343

Microb Genom. 2026 May;12(5). doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.001635.

ABSTRACT

Ornithobacterium hominis is a recently described Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the human nasopharynx and may be associated with poor upper respiratory tract health. Here, we describe the isolation of O. hominis from samples collected from a South African birth cohort, creating the first archive of cultured strains of the species from Africa. Sequenced genomes from this archive reveal that South African O. hominis is more similar to Australian strains than those from Southeast Asia and that it may share genes with other members of the microbiome that are relevant for virulence, colonization and antibiotic resistance. Leveraging existing microbiome data from the cohort, O. hominis was found to be closely associated with bacterial co-colonizers that are rare in non-carrier individuals, including Suttonella, Rappaport, Helcococcus, Lwoffella, Moraxella and Gracilibacteria. Their collective acquisition has a significant impact on the diversity of nasopharyngeal communities that contain O. hominis. Individuals who have not yet acquired O. hominis have a higher abundance of Lwoffella lincolnii than individuals who never acquire O. hominis, suggesting that this could be a precursor state for successful colonization.

PMID:42149113 | DOI:10.1099/mgen.0.001635

Sci Rep. 2026 May 15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-51266-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Immunization is one of the most impactful public health achievements, significantly reducing childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, gender disparity and women's disempowerment constitute structural barriers in accessing vaccine services in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, widespread differences in social norms and cultural values affect gender roles and influence women's ability to decide their own healthcare needs and participate in household decision-making. This leads to attitudinal differences in uptake of immunization depending on the child's location of residence. Using data from four waves of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, we constructed two empowerment indices that determine whether caregivers participate in household decision-making and have the ability to decide on their healthcare needs. We used a structured spatiotemporal statistical model to determine whether a significant part of childhood vaccination coverage disparities can be attributed to these women's empowerment measures and predicted events at the third administrative level of the country. We considered five vaccination indicators: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), zero-dose, receiving a complete dose of DPT, MCV-1 (first dose of measles-containing vaccine), and receipt of all basic vaccinations. The adopted model was validated by comparing the empirical estimates of vaccination coverage level from the data with model projections at the second administrative level. The findings indicate that although empowerment regarding participation in household decision-making and agency over healthcare access is generally associated with increased vaccine uptake, their effects vary considerably across locations and notably among the highly empowered category of women. Although there are efforts to bridge immunization gaps within the country, the study emphasizes the need for tailored strategies that target up-scaling the ability of women and the wider community to participate in the decision-making process and be able to decide on healthcare needs to address regional disparities and improve vaccination coverage.

PMID:42141066 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-51266-8

Nat Commun. 2026 May 15. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-73286-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Environmental exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, remains poorly characterised due to the low sensitivity of conventional detection methods. Here, we develop CRISPR-BEEPs, a sensitive and resource-efficient CRISPR-based assay, and evaluate its performance against conventional culture-based plate inspection using double-qPCR as the reference standard. CRISPR-BEEPs demonstrated higher sensitivity (93.5% vs 19.4%) and high specificity (100% vs 98.0%). We apply the assay to water samples from natural and piped sources across 15,118 km² in northeast Thailand, collected from or near the households of 439 participants with melioidosis. We compared these with households of 190 participants with other bacterial infections and 506 healthy control participants living in the same endemic region who had never developed melioidosis. CRISPR-BEEPs detects B. pseudomallei in 73.3% of groundwater, 32.9% of surface water, and 26.2% of piped water samples, with results comparable to double-qPCR. The improved sensitivity reveals a significant association between environmental detection within 10 km of households and melioidosis risk (OR 2.74; 95% CI:1.38-5.48), an association undetectable using conventional methods. These findings expose critical sanitation gaps and highlight the value of high-resolution environmental surveillance for disease prevention.

PMID:42140954 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-026-73286-8

Companion Anim Health Genet. 2025 May 26;12(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s40575-025-00144-z.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42135787 | DOI:10.1186/s40575-025-00144-z

Lancet. 2026 May 16;407(10542):1941-1952. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00555-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Estimates of vaccine impact have typically been used to quantify the effects of, and inform, immunisation strategies. Given the growing resource constraints on health systems worldwide, robust estimates of vaccine impact that allow comparison across different vaccines are now more crucial for decision making than ever. Building on previous modelling studies, we aimed to estimate vaccine impact ratios for an expanded portfolio of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance-supported vaccination programmes against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases across 117 low-income and middle-income countries using multiple models.

METHODS: In this modelling study, we have presented Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium estimates of vaccine impact ratios, defined as deaths or disability-adjusted life-years averted per 1000 vaccinations, for the Gavi portfolio of vaccines. Modelling groups used standardised inputs for demographic data and vaccination coverage assumptions, including a no-vaccination counterfactual, and accounted for structural, parameter, and stochastic uncertainty to produce burden estimates. These estimates were then compared to calculate vaccine impact ratios, disaggregated by immunisation activity type and geographical subregions for vaccinations given between 2000 and 2030 (or 2000 and 2040 for cholera).

FINDINGS: Overall, we observed human papillomavirus (11·24 [95% uncertainty interval 10·88-11·64]) and measles (6·09 [4·90-7·07])vaccines averting a higher number of deaths per 1000 vaccinations than others. For other vaccines, the impact ratios varied across subregions and activity types. Due to parameter, structural, and stochastic uncertainty, the ranges of these ratios often overlap.

INTERPRETATION: Decisions around which vaccines to use are increasingly important in the context of Gavi's country vaccine budgets. Robust metrics that allow comparison between vaccines are thus essential to inform discussions. The vaccine impact ratios presented in this study can be used to complement other evidence to support effective planning and prioritisation in national immunisation programmes.

FUNDING: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Gates Foundation, and Wellcome Trust.

PMID:42134355 | DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00555-6

PLoS One. 2026 May 13;21(5):e0348023. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348023. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a common health issue in brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, linked to their distinctive skull morphology. Despite its prevalence, the genetic basis of respiratory dysfunction in these breeds remains poorly characterised. To enable selection against BOAS, the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS) was established in 2019, where respiratory function of dogs considered for breeding is tested via a standardised exercise test. Here, we analysed RFGS data from over 4,000 dogs, alongside pedigree records, to estimate heritability of respiratory function and assess RFGS participation across the UK Royal Kennel Club registered populations of the three extreme brachycephalic breeds. Moderate heritability estimates for RFGS grade (0.21-0.49), and nostril stenosis (0.31-0.39), with significant genetic correlations between the traits indicate that within-breed selective breeding can improve respiratory health. These findings support the feasibility of breeding programs targeting respiratory function. Implementing such strategies, alongside increased health screening participation, may help mitigate BOAS prevalence and enhance welfare in these popular breeds.

PMID:42127146 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0348023

Microb Genom. 2026 May;12(5). doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.001701.

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus canis represents a major canine pathogen, accounting for 22.4% of streptococcal infections in dogs. However, despite its prevalence in veterinary medicine, the mechanisms underlying S. canis pathogenesis and survival remain poorly understood. Identifying targeted treatments against S. canis could help to reduce dysbiosis-related complications and minimize the selection of resistant neighbouring bacteria. In this study, we employed transposon-directed insertion-site sequencing for the first time to generate saturated mutant libraries of S. canis. By comparing three distinct strains, we defined the shared essential genome of this pathogen. We found that 90.4% of its essential genes are also present in the essential genomes of other related pyogenic streptococcal species, including Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, demonstrating the translational relevance of S. canis research to broader streptococcal biology. Notably, we identified two genes uniquely essential to S. canis at the terminal steps of glycolysis: ldh, which governs lactate metabolism, and pta, which catalyses the conversion of acetyl-CoA to acetyl phosphate in acetate metabolism. We propose that targeting these pathways may offer a novel, species-specific therapeutic strategy for treating S. canis infections.

PMID:42118567 | DOI:10.1099/mgen.0.001701

Lancet Infect Dis. 2026 May 11:S1473-3099(26)00232-X. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(26)00232-X. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42114534 | DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(26)00232-X

Microb Genom. 2026 May;12(5). doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.001654.

ABSTRACT

Background. Rates of multidrug resistance (MDR) in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), particularly those harbouring extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and/or carbapenemases, are increasing globally. Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are vulnerable to healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). Surveillance for carriage of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR GNB) is inconsistent, with differing practices amongst ICUs, hospitals and countries. Furthermore, the impact of asymptomatic carriage on HCAI rates is unclear.Methods. We conducted a 6-month prospective surveillance study of MDR GNB in a UK adult ICU. Screening samples were collected from all study participants on admission, once a week (depending on length of stay) and on discharge from the ICU. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to examine the population structure and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of MDR GNB and to determine evidence of recent transmission between patients.Findings. Of 424 participants recruited between June and December 2016, 15% (n=64) were positive for MDR GNB during admission screening to the ICU. The most frequently identified organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In total, 10% (n=42) of patients acquired an ESBL-producing or carbapenem-resistant MDR GNB during their ICU admission. WGS of the bacterial populations reflected national trends. An undetected outbreak of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae, which had spread to several wards, was identified and controlled. Most positive patients carried identical lineages across multiple body sites.Interpretation. Our findings suggest that prospective screening for MDR GNB in ICU patients could be beneficial and be considered in other UK critical care settings. This would not only improve early detection but also enable the prompt institution of enhanced infection control measures.

PMID:42089880 | DOI:10.1099/mgen.0.001654

Vet Sci. 2026 Mar 28;13(4):330. doi: 10.3390/vetsci13040330.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: T-cell lymphomas are relatively common in veterinary species, yet current diagnostic tools such as PCR-based clonality assays often lack sensitivity and specificity. In humans, we recently developed two related tissue-based diagnostic approaches based on the differential detection of the mutually exclusively expressed TCRbeta1 and 2 (TCRβ1 and 2) constant region proteins, or the corresponding TRBC1 and TRBC2 transcripts. Analogous to the detection of kappa/lambda light chains for the diagnosis of B-cell/plasma cell neoplasms in human clinical practice, our TCRβ1/2 diagnostic assay has the potential to transform veterinary diagnostic workflows.

METHODS: We identified and confirmed the sequences of the relevant TRBC1 and TRBC2 sequences in both cats and dogs, focusing on the 3' untranslated region (UTR), where there is the least sequence homology between TRBC1 and TRBC2. To allow us to design appropriate probe sequences, we confirmed a lack of 3'UTR in either species, and we observed limited 3' untranslated region UTR sequence polymorphism in the cat but not in the dog 3'UTR. We designed BaseScope™ RNA in situ hybridization probes targeting the 3' UTR to distinguish between TRBC1 and TRBC2 transcripts in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.

RESULTS: In normal tissues, we found the TRBC2:TRBC1 expression ratio to be similar to the 1.2:1 ratio in humans, between 1:1 and 3:1, skewing towards TRBC2, in both dogs and cats. These findings were corroborated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Applying our in situ hybridization probes to cases of T-cell lymphoma in dogs and cats, we demonstrated that an assay for differential expression of TRBC1 and TRBC2 in T-cell populations could identify clonal T-cell populations, as in human diagnostics. If further studies corroborate this proof-of-concept study, TRBC1/2 detection could obviate the need for slow, complex and expensive multiplexed PCR-based (PCR for antigen receptor rearrangements (PARR)) clonality assays.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides proof-of-concept data for a novel diagnostic approach that could simplify and substantially improve the accuracy of lymphoma diagnostics in veterinary medicine, by detecting TRBC1/2 transcripts.

PMID:42076702 | DOI:10.3390/vetsci13040330