@misc{KittlFreyBrodardetal., author = {Kittl, Sonja and Frey, Caroline F. and Brodard, Isabelle and Scalisi, Nadia and Vargas Amado, Maria Elena and Thomann, Andreas and Schierack, Peter and Jores, Joerg}, title = {Zoonotic bacterial and parasitic intestinal pathogens in foxes, raccoons and other predators from eastern Germany}, series = {Environmental Microbiology Reports}, volume = {16}, journal = {Environmental Microbiology Reports}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {1758-2229}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.13261}, pages = {1 -- 7}, abstract = {AbstractIn this study, we investigated faecal specimens from legally hunted and road-killed red foxes, raccoons, raccoon dogs, badgers and martens in Germany for parasites and selected zoonotic bacteria. We found that Baylisascaris procyonis, a zoonotic parasite of raccoons, had spread to northeastern Germany, an area previously presumed to be free of this parasite. We detected various pathogenic bacterial species from the genera Listeria, Clostridium (including baratii), Yersinia and Salmonella, which were analysed using whole-genome sequencing. One isolate of Yersinia enterocolitica contained a virulence plasmid. The Salmonella Cholerasuis isolate encoded an aminoglycoside resistance gene and a parC point mutation, conferring resistance to ciprofloxacin. We also found tetracycline resistance genes in Paeniclostridium sordellii and Clostridium baratii. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolates were polyclonal, indicating the absence of specific wildlife-adapted clones. Predators, which scavenge from various sources including human settlements, acquire and spread zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, their role should not be overlooked in the One Health context.}, language = {en} } @misc{LopensSchierackKrauseetal., author = {Lopens, Steffi and Schierack, Peter and Krause, Jenny and Piaszczyński, Michał and Kr{\´o}l, Robert and Staroń, Robert and Krupa, Łukasz and Gutkowski, Krzysztof and Kruk, Beata and Grąt, Michał and Krawczyk, Marek and Patkowski, Waldemar and Glaser, Fabian and R{\"o}diger, Stefan and Grossmann, Kai and Pająk, Jacek and Milkiewicz, Piotr and Lammert, Frank and Zieniewicz, Krzysztof and Schramm, Christoph and Roggenbuck, Dirk and Krawczyk, Marcin}, title = {Antimicrobial glycoprotein 2 (GP2) in gallstones, bile fluid and peribiliary glands of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis}, series = {Clinica Chimica Acta}, volume = {562}, journal = {Clinica Chimica Acta}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, issn = {0009-8981}, doi = {10.1016/j.cca.2024.119841}, pages = {1 -- 8}, language = {en} } @misc{GeitheZengSchmidtetal., author = {Geithe, Christiane and Zeng, Bo and Schmidt, Carsten and Dinter, Franziska and Roggenbuck, Dirk and Lehmann, Werner and Dame, Gregory and Schierack, Peter and Hanack, Katja and R{\"o}diger, Stefan}, title = {A multiplex microchamber diffusion assay for the antibody-based detection of microRNAs on randomly ordered microbeads}, series = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X}, volume = {18 (2024)}, journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, issn = {2590-1370}, doi = {10.1016/j.biosx.2024.100484}, pages = {1 -- 7}, language = {en} } @misc{NazAhmadSarwaretal., author = {Naz, Fizza and Ahmad, Abrar and Sarwar, Yasra and Khan, Muhammad Moman and Schierack, Peter and Rauf, Waqar and Ali, Aamir}, title = {Characterization of Salmonella enterica Biofilms and Antibiofilm Effect of Carvacrol and 2-Aminobenzimidazole}, series = {Foodborne Pathogens and Disease}, volume = {21}, journal = {Foodborne Pathogens and Disease}, number = {1}, publisher = {Mary Ann Liebert Inc.}, issn = {1535-3141}, doi = {10.1089/fpd.2023.0044}, pages = {52 -- 60}, language = {en} } @misc{KhanMushtaqAbbasetal., author = {Khan, Muhammad Moman and Mushtaq, Muhammad Ahmed and Abbas, Nayyar and Fatima, Fariha and Gibbon, Marjorie J. and Schierack, Peter and Mohsin, Mashkoor}, title = {Occurrence, antimicrobial resistance and genomic features of Klebsiella pneumoniae from broiler chicken in Faisalabad, Pakistan}, series = {Frontiers in Veterinary Science}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Veterinary Science}, publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.}, issn = {2297-1769}, doi = {10.3389/fvets.2024.1433124}, pages = {7}, abstract = {IntroductionThe dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in critical priority pathogens is a significant threat. Non-clinical reservoirs of AMR, such as agriculture and food production facilities, may contribute to the transmission of clinically relevant pathogens such as multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae. There is currently very limited knowledge regarding the population structure and genomic diversity of K. pneumoniae in poultry production in Pakistan.MethodsWe explored healthy broilers in a commercial farm from Faisalabad, Pakistan, and identified six K. pneumoniae strains from 100 broiler birds. We characterized the strains, determining clonality, virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes using next generation sequencing.ResultsThe evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility revealed that all the strains were MDR. Genomic analysis showed that 3/6 strains belonged to ST152, harbouring acquired resistance aminoglycosides [aadA2, aph(4′)-Ia], β-lactams (blaSHV-187, blaLAP2), fosfomycin (fosA6), tetracycline (tetA), trimethoprim (dfrA12), quinolone (qnrS1), sulphonamides (sul2) and phenicol (floR). All the strains harboured the efflux pump genes oqxA, oqxB, emrR, kpnG, kpnH, kpnF, baeR, mtdB and mtdC. All six strains encoded identical virulence profiles possessing six genes, i.e., ureA, iutA, entB, allS, fimH and mrkD. Phylogenomic analysis of the dominant sequence type (ST152) present in our dataset with publicly available genomes showed that the isolates clustered to strains mainly from human sources and could pose a potential threat to food safety and public health.DiscussionThe combination of these findings with antimicrobial use data would allow a better understanding of the selective pressures that may be driving the spread of AMR. This is the first report of MDR K. pneumoniae isolated from broiler hens in Pakistan, and the finding suggests that routine surveillance of WHO critical priority pathogens in such settings would be beneficial to the development of effective control strategies to reduce AMR.}, language = {en} } @misc{FotangDuttonBroeringetal., author = {Fotang, Chefor and Dutton, Paul and Br{\"o}ring, Udo and Roos, Christian and Willie, Jacob and Angwafo, Tsi Evaristus and Chuo, Mvo Denis and Kamgang, Serge Alexis and Enoguanbhor, Evidence Chinedu and Schierack, Peter and Birkhofer, Klaus}, title = {Tool use by Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees for driver ant predation in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-West Region Cameroon}, series = {Folia Primatologica}, volume = {94}, journal = {Folia Primatologica}, number = {1}, issn = {1421-9980}, doi = {10.1163/14219980-bja10006}, pages = {73 -- 85}, abstract = {Chimpanzees feed on driver ants (Dorylus sp.) using different tools and predation techniques that vary among populations and can be affected by availability of ant species as well as ecological and social-learning factors. At the Kom-Wum Forest Reserve (KWFR) in Cameroon, we investigated tool use behavior in Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti), examining the characteristics of tools used in driver ant predation, looking for possible seasonal patterns and comparing our results to those from other study sites. We recovered 83 tools along line transects and recces (reconnaissance) during two seasons. We found that chimpanzees used tools with blunting and dirty ends (possible digging and probing tools) and tools without (dipping tools), in driver ant predation. Tools with dirty ends tended to be thicker (N = 52), and thinner tools were less likely to have dirt (N = 31). Tools recovered in the wet season (N = 62), were significantly shorter and thicker than those recovered in the dry season (N = 21). Furthermore, driver ant tools recovered at KWFR are on average the longest yet recorded insect dipping tools for chimpanzees comparable to those used in North Uele. We found no evidence of nut-cracking, tool use for honey bee nor termite consumption and did not observe the potential prey remains in chimpanzee faeces despite their presence in the reserve. Our results suggest that seasonality significantly contributes to a divergence in the form of tools selected for driver ant predation.}, language = {en} } @misc{FotangBroeringRoosetal., author = {Fotang, Chefor and Br{\"o}ring, Udo and Roos, Christian and Dutton, Paul and T{\´e}donzong, Luc R. D. and Willie, Jacob and Angwafo, Tsi Evaristus and Yuh, Yisa Ginath and Schierack, Peter and Birkhofer, Klaus}, title = {Mapping suitable habitat for Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-Western Cameroon}, series = {Primates}, journal = {Primates}, number = {25}, issn = {1610-7365}, doi = {10.1007/s10329-023-01054-z}, abstract = {Great apes lose suitable habitats required for their reproduction and survival due to human activities across their distribution range in Africa. Little is known about habitat suitability of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee [Pan troglodytes ellioti (Matschie, 1914)], particularly for populations inhabiting forest reserves in North-West Cameroon. To address this knowledge gap, we employed a common species distribution model (MaxEnt) to map and predict suitable habitats for the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-West Cameroon, based on environmental factors that potentially affect habitat suitability. We related these environmental factors to a dataset of chimpanzee occurrence points recorded during line transect and reconnaissance (recce) surveys in the forest reserve and surrounding forests. Up to 91\% of the study area is unsuitable for chimpanzees. Suitable habitats only represented 9\% of the study area, with a high proportion of highly suitable habitats located outside the forest reserve. Elevation, secondary forests density, distance to villages and primary forests density were the most important predictors of habitat suitability for the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. The probability of chimpanzee occurrence increased with elevation, secondary forest density and distance from villages and roads. Our study provides evidence that suitable chimpanzee habitat in the reserve is degraded, suggesting that efforts to maintain protected areas are insufficient. The reserve management plan needs to be improved to conserve the remaining suitable habitat and to avoid local extinction of this endangered subspecies.}, language = {en} } @misc{LiedtkeRoseHiemannetal., author = {Liedtke, Victoria and Rose, Laura and Hiemann, Rico and Nasser, Abdullah and R{\"o}diger, Stefan and Bonaventura, Alena and Winkler, Laura and Sowa, Mandy and St{\"o}ckle, Michael and Schierack, Peter and Junker, Kerstin and Roggenbuck, Dirk}, title = {Over-Expression of LEDGF/p75 in HEp-2 Cells Enhances Autoimmune IgG Response in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia—A Novel Diagnostic Approach with Therapeutic Consequence?}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {24}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {7}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms24076166}, abstract = {Lens epithelium-derived growth factor splice variant of 75 kDa (LEDGF/p75) is an autoantigen over-expressed in solid tumors and acts as a stress-related transcriptional co-activator. Participation of autoimmune responses in the pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (PBH) and a corresponding immunosuppressive therapy by TNFalpha antagonists has been recently suggested. Thus, autoAb testing could aid in the diagnosis of BPH patients profiting from such therapy. We generated CRISPR/Cas9 modified HEp-2 LEDGF knock-out (KO) and HEp-2 LEDGF/p75 over-expressing (OE) cells and examined IgG autoantibody reactivity to LEDGF/p75 in patients with prostate cancer (PCa, n = 89), bladder cancer (BCa, n = 116), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 103), and blood donors (BD, n = 60) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Surprisingly, we could not detect elevated binding of autoAbs against LEDGF/p75 in cancer patients, but autoAb reactivity to LEDGF/p75 OE cells in about 50\% of patients with BPH was unexpectedly significantly increased. Furthermore, a line immunoassay enabling the detection of 18 different autoAbs revealed a significantly increased occurrence of anti-dsDNA autoAbs in 34\% of BPH patients in contrast to tumor patients and BD. This finding was confirmed by anti-mitochondrial (mDNA) autoAb detection with the Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test, which also showed a significantly higher prevalence (34\%) of anti-mDNA autoAbs in BPH. In summary, our study provided further evidence for the occurrence of autoimmune responses in BPH. Furthermore, LEDGF/p75 over-expression renders HEp-2 cells more autoantigenic and an ideal target for autoAb analysis in BPH with a potential therapy consequence.}, language = {en} } @misc{KhanAliKolendaetal., author = {Khan, Muhammad Moman and Ali, Aamir and Kolenda, Rafał and Olowe, Olugbenga Adekunle and Weinreich, J{\"o}rg and Li, Ganwu and Schierack, Peter}, title = {The role of AJB35136 and fdtA genes in biofilm formation by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli}, series = {BMC Veterinary Research}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Veterinary Research}, issn = {1746-6148}, doi = {10.1186/s12917-023-03672-7}, language = {en} } @misc{RoeiBorisYehudaetal., author = {Roei, Tulchinsky and Boris, Gilburd and Yehuda, Shovman and Milena, Tocut and Eleanor, Zeruya and Ariel, Binyaminov and Tima, Davidson and B{\"u}ttner, Thomas and Nasser, Abdullah and Michel, Juliane and R{\"o}diger, Stefan and Schierack, Peter and Howard, Amital and Roggenbuck, Dirk and Yehuda, Shoenfeld and Ora, Shovman}, title = {CytoBead ANA 2 assay : a novel method for the detection of antinuclear antibodies}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {15}, journal = {Scientific reports}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-04583-3}, pages = {1 -- 11}, abstract = {Detection of anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA) is based on a two-step algorithm including indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp2 cells and subsequent reflex/confirmatory testing for specific autoantibodies. Simultaneous cell- and microbead-based autoantibody detection by IIF may be utilized for the evaluation of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). In the present study, we assessed the performance of CytoBead ANA 2 in the detection of ANA and ANA-specific autoantibodies, compared to ANA IIF and BioPlex™ 2200. We also tested the ability of CytoBead ANA DFS-70 to identify dense-fine speckled (DFS) pattern associated with anti-DFS70 antibodies in non-SARDs patients. Hundred-twelve routine sera samples were assessed by manual CytoBead ANA 2 for the presence of ANA and specific autoantibodies. In parallel, these samples were analyzed by HEp2 ANA IIF test and a subsequent multiplexed assay BioPlex™ 2200 ANA. Twenty-nine ANA-positive samples obtained from non-SARDs patients and exhibiting DFS pattern by ANA IIF were further tested by CytoBead ANA DFS-70. A substantial agreement was observed between classical ANA IIF and manual CytoBead ANA 2 for the detection of ANA (k = 0.74). Discordant results were mainly associated with the presence of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies detected by CytoBead ANA 2 in ANA IIF negative patients. A good to almost perfect agreement was found between CytoBead ANA 2 and BioPlex™ 2200 for detection of specific antibodies with kappa values ranging from 0.70 to 0.90. Twenty samples (68.9\%) obtained from 29 ANA IIF positive without SARDs patients exhibited DFS pattern in CytoBead ANA DFS-70, which confirmed the presence of anti-DFS70 antibodies. The diagnostic performance of manual CytoBead ANA 2 for ANA screening and detection of ANA specific antibodies is comparable to the diagnostic performance of ANA IIF followed by BioPlex™ 2200. This novel one-step assay enables simultaneous ANA screening and confirmation and represents a promising alternative approach to the time-consuming and costly two-tier ANA analysis.}, language = {en} } @misc{AzamMumtazRoedigeretal., author = {Azam, Hafiz Muhammad Husnain and Mumtaz, Mehvish and R{\"o}diger, Stefan and Schierack, Peter and Hussain, Nazim and Aisha, Ambreen}, title = {MicroRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases : from molecular mechanisms to clinical biomarkers, detection methods and therapeutic strategies—advances and challenges}, series = {Neurological sciences}, journal = {Neurological sciences}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Milano}, issn = {1590-3478}, doi = {10.1007/s10072-025-08419-w}, pages = {43}, abstract = {Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) pose significant challenges in early detection and treatment due to their complex pathophysiology and heterogeneous clinical presentations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, have emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NDDs. Pathological examination of affected tissues reveals early synaptic dysfunction, protein misfolding, and neuroinflammation occur prior to overt clinical symptoms, highlighting the importance of sensitive diagnostics approaches in prodromal stages. This review summarizes for researchers on the role of miRNAs in NDDs by examining their diagnostic potential in biofluids such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and their therapeutic applicability through inhibition or replacement strategies. Literature from peer-reviewed databases was assessed with a focus on recent advances in molecular detection platforms, computational modeling of miRNA-mRNA interactions, and preclinical/clinical investigations. More than 2600 human miRNAs have been identified, collectively regulating over half of mammalian protein-coding genes. Quantitative methodologies, particularly reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enable reliable miRNA profiling, facilitating early diagnosis and prognosis of NDDs. Therapeutic strategies, including antagomirs, mimics, sponges and viral or non-viral delivery systems, show promise in modulating disease pathways. However, significant challenges remain, including variability in miRNA extraction and quantification protocols, off-target effects, delivery barriers across the blood brain barrier and limited reproducibility across studies. MiRNAs represent a class of molecular tools with potential to transform diagnostics and therapeutics in NDDs. Future research should prioritize methodological standardization, validation in large multicenter cohorts, and improved computational approaches to elucidate miRNA-mediated regulatory networks in NDDs. Replication studies and translational research are essential harnessing the the full clinical utility of miRNAs in the management of Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease and other NDDs.}, language = {en} } @misc{KhanMushtaqSulemanetal., author = {Khan, Muhammad Moman and Mushtaq, Muhammad Ahmed and Suleman, Muhammad and Ahmed, Umer and Ashraf, Muhammad Faisal and Aslam, Rizwan and Mohsin, Mashkoor and R{\"o}diger, Stefan and Sarwar, Yasra and Schierack, Peter and Ali, Aamir}, title = {Fecal microbiota landscape of commercial poultry farms in Faisalabad, Pakistan : a 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomics study}, series = {Poultry science}, volume = {104}, journal = {Poultry science}, number = {6}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0032-5791}, doi = {10.1016/j.psj.2025.105089}, pages = {1 -- 11}, abstract = {This study explores the microbiota of broiler and layer farms, aiming to understand how genetic breed, age, and farm type influence microbial communities in commercial settings. Fecal samples from 18 poultry farms (twelve layers and six broilers) in Faisalabad, Pakistan were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region to evaluate bacterial composition. The dominant phylum, Firmicutes, accounted for 58.72 \% of the microbial population, with Lactobacillus being the most abundant genus in both broilers and layers. The total abundance of potentially pathogenic genera was also assessed with Enterococcus and Corynebacterium being the most prevalent across all farms, regardless of bird type. Layers exhibited greater microbial richness and diversity than broilers, while the Karachi cage system (KCS) farm type showed higher richness than Floor system (FS). Although the breed significantly influenced microbial diversity, age was not a determining factor. Co-occurrence analyses revealed close interactions among phyla (Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Fusobacteriota, and Bacteroidota) and genera (Lactobacillus, Brevibacterium, Enterococcus), suggesting their pivotal roles within the microbial community. Additionally, functional analysis detected important metabolic pathways and traced microbial signatures of key pathogenic bacteria, enhancing our understanding of microbial contributions to poultry health. Despite limitations such as the need for broader geographic sampling and accounting for diet and medication, this study advances microbiome research in Pakistan's poultry sector, emphasizing consistent taxa and opening avenues for future investigations into microbiome manipulations for improved food safety and achieve better sustainable practices.}, language = {en} }