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The editorial discusses nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in animals and humans, highlighting the global public health concern they pose. Various studies explore aspects of NTM infections, including diagnostic tools, prevention, treatment, and epidemiology. The research emphasizes the need for ongoing studies to understand NTM infections better, improve public health outcomes, enhance veterinary practices, and support wildlife conservation efforts within a One Health Medicine approach. [Extracted from the article]

The Ebola disease derives its name after a small river, the Ebola River, flowing through the former Zaire (present day DR Congo) and was formally named in 1976. The disease belongs to the category of diseases referred to as “haemorrhagic fever”; the causal agent – a filovirus (from Latin “filo” = thread) belonging to the Filoviridae family. The treatment of Ebola has been only symptomatic, i.e. based on mitigation of the symptoms related to the infection, such as kidneys and liver. An effective vaccine has not been developed yet, even though rigorous attempts have been made and reported. Ebola has been primarily found in the Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Sudan, Gabon and other equatorial African countries. Based on the data obtained during the latest epidemics, people are strongly advised to avoid direct contact with patients, avoid buying bush meat in street markets and not handle dead bats, megabats, monkeys or gorillas. Estimated data suggest that more than 5,000 of these animals have died. The disease was also diagnosed in patients in the USA and Europe. The epidemic afflicted West Africa and had significant implication on their economy in terms of lost production, higher fiscal deficits, rising prices and lower real household incomes, leading to greater poverty.

Especially in the temperate zone, female bats are exposed to increased energy demands during gestation. In addition, abiotic factors, such as ambient temperature and pathogen load, can significantly affect reproduction success. Bats are considered natural reservoirs for a wide variety of pathogenic agents, and have developed strong immune systems to cope. Nevertheless, very little is known about the influence of these pathogenic microorganisms on bat health as most infections are asymptomatic. In this study, we monitored presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in female common noctule bats Nyctalus noctula during gestation. Eight NTM species, subspecies or complexes (Risk Group 1: Mycobacterium hiberniae and M. terrae complex; Risk Group 2: M. arupense, M. avium ssp. hominissuis, M. fortuitum, M. interjectum, M. peregrinum, M. septicum) were confirmed as part of the female gut microbiome during gestation, with representation changing during foetal development. Following hibernation, most females were infected, though infection load and severity were relatively low. Just prior to parturition, however, a high proportion of females were infected with a high, often pathogenic, NTM load. Females who gave birth to twins had a higher (though non-significant) proportion of positive samples after hibernation and before parturition. Negative correlations between two consecutive measurements suggest that female N. noctula can cope with NTM loading, even during energy-demanding pregnancies. Bat faeces appear to be a source of numerous NTM species and, as such, bats can be considered as vectors for NTM spread in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human hepatitis E is endemic worldwide, particularly in Asia, where large waterborne outbreaks have been reported (1). Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is >60% in rural southern People's Republic [...]

Studies are being conducted to determine whether live Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis are entering the milk supply in the Czech Republic both in general retail pasteurized milk and in locally pasteurized milk from three specific dairy herds. The results show that humans are being exposed to this chronic enteric pathogen by this route despite the milk being pasteurized to the national and European Union's standards.

Research has been conducted on the microbial enzymes, haloalkane dehalogenase. The cloning, sequencing and expression of the dhmA haloalkane dehalogenase gene from Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium N85 have been carried out and the results of DhmA biochemical characterization from crude extracts are reported.

Researchers describe 14 of the 18 copies of IS900 insertions in the genome of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The DNA flanking the insertions was analyzed and homologues were found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of epidemics and sporadic cases of enterically transmitted hepatitis worldwide. The zoonotic potential of HEV was recognized recently, and pigs and other [...]

To the Editor: Tuberculosis is a chronic wasting disease in domestic birds (especially hens) and free-ranging birds worldwide (1). Most mycobacterial infections in birds are caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. [...]