Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) are currently one of the most popular species in rare bird breeding in several southern provinces of China, but there are very few studies on the gut microbial communities of domestic and wild mallards. In this study, 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing technology was used to compare the composition and diversity of gut microbial communities in domestic and wild mallards. Alpha diversity analysis revealed significant differences in the gut microbial communities of domestic and wild mallards. Beta diversity analysis showed that the two groups of stool samples were mostly separated on the principal coordinate analysis (PCOA) plot. In domestic mallards, Firmicutes (67.97%) was the most abundant bacterial phylum, followed by Proteobacteria (24.48%), Bacteroidetes (3.13%), Fusobacteria (2.21%), and Actinobacteria (1.10%). The dominant bacterial phyla in wild mallards were Firmicutes (79.02%), Proteobacteria (12.85%), Fusobacteria (3.37%), and Bacteroidetes (2.79%). At the genus level, a total of 10 dominant genera (Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, Soilbacillus, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Comamonas, Shigella, and Cetobacterium) with an average relative abundance greater than 1% were detected in the fecal samples of both groups. The average relative abundance of five potential pathogens (Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, Comamonas, and Shigella) was higher in domestic mallards than in wild mallards. The enrichment of pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal tract of domestic mallards should be of sufficient concern.

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a complex issue caused by various fungal, oomycetes pathogens and parasites which can differ in their abundance between sites within a geographic region. Knowledge of the specific etiology of ARD at a particular site is required in order to develop commercially viable soil management strategies to combat specific/individual components of the disease. In this study we analyzed the soil from six ARD sites for the presence of fungal, bacterial and oomycetes communities and plant parasitic nematodes. Five fungal, and 17 bacterial classes were differentially represented in the microbiomes from different locations. Mortierellomycetes was the most abundant fungal taxa represented followed by Sordariomycetes. Mortierella exigua a fungal endophyte was the most abundant fungal amplicon sequence variant (ASV) in the core microbiome. Proteobacteria was the most prevalent phylum identified in orchard soils. Several potential phytopathogenic fungi involved in ARD and endophytes including Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Nectria ramulariae, Ilyonectria robusta and Nectriaceae were identfied in the orchard soil. Pythium attrantheridium (Globisporangium attrantheridium), P. monospermum and P. ultimum (Globisporangium ultimum) were the most abundant oomycete taxa identified in these soil samples. Six different groups of plant-parasitic nematodes were found across the six orchards soil. Root-lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus spp., which are commonly associated with ARD, were identified in all orchards soil at population densities ranging from 12 to 33/100 cm3 soil. This research contributes valuable understanding of the ARD complex as the apple industry needs alternative approaches to combat the disease.

The literature shows that both in laboratory and in industrial conditions, photocatalytic oxidation method copes quite well with the degradation of the most organic substances, including environmental toxins and molecular components of pathogenic microorganisms. However, the effective utilization of photocatalytic processes for environmental decontamination and disinfection require significant technological advancement both in the area of semiconductor material synthesis and its application. Here we focused on the presence and ‘photocatalytic capability‘ of photocatalysts among soil minerals, and their potential contribution to the environmental decontamination in vitro and in vivo. (The issue is sketched from the perspective of chemists and environmental scientist.) Reactions caused by sunlight on the soil surface are involved in its normal redox activity. It appears that some of them may take part in the soil decontamination. However, their importance for decontamination in vivo cannot be overstated due to diversity of soils on the Earth caused by the environmental conditions, such as climate, parent material, relief, vegetation etc. The solar-light induced reactions are just a part of extremely complicated processes dependent on a plethora of environmental determinates. Such multiplicity of affecting factors, which we tried to sketch from the perspective of chemists and environmental scientist, makes us rather sceptical about the effectiveness of the photocatalytic processes in vivo. On the other hand, there is a huge potential of the soils as the alternative source of useful photocatalytic materials of unique properties

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in China in 2019. The exact origin of the disease remains uncertain, with theories suggesting it may have emerged from animals or accidentally leaked from a research laboratory. If the hypothesis that COVID-19 originated from a research laboratory is accurate, it is crucial to investigate potential pathways for pathogens to escape from biocontainment research animal facilities (BRAFs). We examine key biosafety issues associated with BRAFs, including inadequate decontamination procedures for water and experimental samples, handling high biosafety level pathogens in lower level laboratories, risks of animal bites and sharps injuries, contamination of bedding and enrichment materials, and improper management and transportation of biohazard samples. Additionally, we discuss the role of veterinarians in African research animal facilities and the challenges they encounter in maintaining biocontainment standards. We emphasize the importance of routine monitoring of effluent water to detect possible disease outbreaks. We recommend a thorough investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic to identify potential sources of pathogen release from BRAFs, which could serve as hotspots for future disease outbreaks. Findings from such investigations will inform the development of policies aimed at safeguarding human populations from future pandemics and preventing BRAFs from becoming sources of infectious disease outbreaks.

Ixodes ricinus ticks are widespread in Europe and important vectors for multiple pathogens. The purpose of the study was to collect ticks in a mountainous area in Greece and screen those of I. ricinus species for several pathogens. I. ricinus was the predominant tick species identified (398/440, 90.45%). Following pooling (1-17 ticks per pool), homogenization and extraction of genetic material of the ticks, a real time PCR was applied for the detection of a panel of tick-borne pathogens, while additional conventional PCRs combined with Sanger sequencing were applied for detection of viruses and for typing of Rickettsia and Borrelia species. At least one pathogen was detected in 60 of the 80 (75%) pools. Rickettsia spp. predominated as it was detected in 63.75% of the tick pools (51/80), followed by Borrelia spp. (35 pools, 45%); A. phagocytophilum was detected in 2 (2.5%) pools, phleboviruses in 3 (3.75%) and nairoviruses in 7 (8.75%) pools. All the Rickettsia sequences taken belonged to R. monacensis, while among Borrelia spp., B. garinii and B. valaisiana were detected. Regarding viruses, Norway phlebovirus 1, Sulina and Grotenhout nairoviruses were detected. Although a small number of ticks from only one area in Greece was tested, a variety of pathogens and recently identified viruses were detected, prompting for further studies in ticks and surveillance studies in humans.