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- The dual action of probiotic lactobacilli in suppressing virulence and survival of Arcobacter butzleriPublication . Vieira, Alexandre; Mateus, Cristiana; Fonseca, Inês M.; Domingues, Fernanda; Oleastro, Mónica; Ferreira, SusanaArcobacter butzleri is a widely distributed foodborne and waterborne pathogen, increasingly recognized as an emerging enteropathogen. Understanding its survival mechanisms and interactions with probiotics is crucial for developing targeted intervention strategies. A. butzleri must withstand various hostile conditions to successfully colonize the gastrointestinal tract, including inhibition by probiotics, such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Thus, this study aimed to assess the survival of A. butzleri under acidic conditions and determine its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for bile salts. Additionally, the antimicrobial potential of the lactobacilli strains was evaluated by analysing the effects of their culture-free supernatant (CFS) on A. butzleri growth, coculture interactions, and biofilm formation. The influence of lactobacilli on A. butzleri was further investigated through competition, displacement and exclusion assays using Caco-2 cell models. The results indicate that lactobacilli strains exhibit tolerance to acidic environments and physiological bile salt concentrations, whereas A. butzleri was more susceptible to acidic stress. The antagonistic effect of lactobacilli was evidenced by growth inhibition of A. butzleri in the presence of CFS or during coculture. However, CFS from certain lactobacilli strains was found to enhance biofilm formation, highlighting potential consequences. Furthermore, while lactobacilli did not demonstrate significant ntagonistic effects in competition assays, they effectively displaced and excluded A. butzleri in the Caco-2 infection model. Overall, these findings suggest that probiotic lactobacilli can inhibit A. butzleri growth, yet their impact on its virulence remains uncertain. This underscores the need for strain-specific probiotic selection to effectively target this pathogen and emphasizes that not every probiotic contribute to the prevention of A. butzleri infections.
- ERS Congress 2024: highlights from the Respiratory Infections AssemblyPublication . Jonckheere, Leander; Papadopoulou, Efthymia; Piedepalumbo, Federica; Akkerman, Onno W.; Duarte, Raquel; Premuda, ChiaraExtract: The 2024 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria, brought together leading experts worldwide to address some of the most pressing challenges in respiratory medicine. In the field of respiratory infections, the congress highlighted notable advancements, particularly regarding pulmonary aspergillosis, tuberculosis (TB) and cystic fibrosis (CF), reflecting the rapidly evolving landscape in this area. This article aims to provide an overview of the key highlights from the congress in the field of respiratory infections, offering insights into the latest research, treatment innovations and ongoing challenges in managing these complex respiratory diseases.
- Impact of occupational exposure to wildfire events on systemic inflammatory biomarkers in Portuguese wildland firefightersPublication . Esteves, Filipa; Madureira, Joana; Barros, Bela; Alves, Sara; Pires, Joana; Martins, Sandra; Oliveira, Marta; Vaz, Josiana; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Fernandes, Adília; Morais, Simone; Guimarães, João Tiago; Bonassi, Stefano; Teixeira, João Paulo; Costa, SolangeWhile occupational exposure as a firefighter is considered a dangerous occupation, research on the underlying mechanisms remains limited, particularly in wildland firefighters. Inflammation, a key effect of wildfire exposure, plays a significant role in the development of various diseases. The current study aims to investigate the impact of wildland firefighting exposure on the levels of pro-inflammatory systemic biomarkers. A pre-post study design investigated 59 wildland firefighters comparing data collected after participation in a wildfire event (Phase II) with data obtained before wildfire season (Phase I). Data on demographics, lifestyle, health and occupational-related factors were assessed. Exposure factors, such as fire combat (e.g., exposure duration), were also registered. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites (1-OHNaph+1-OHAce, 2-OHFlu, 1-OHPhen, 1-OHPyr) were analysed in blood and urine samples, respectively. Serum IL-8 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased after wildland fire combat. IL-8 levels were 2.62 times higher (95 % CI: 1.96-3.50; p < 0.01), whereas IL-6 levels were 1.25 times higher (95 % CI: 1.00-1.57; p = 0.04). Furthermore, IL-8 levels were significantly correlated with urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene levels and fire combat duration (>12 h). In addition, the mean hs-CRP level, in both phases, was above 3.0 mg/L, indicating a potential risk for cardiovascular events. Given the long-term health implications of firefighting occupational exposure, biomonitoring and early detection of occupational risks are essential for protecting firefighters' health. Protective measures must be urgently implemented to enhance occupational health and strengthen preventive strategies in this sector.