Foodborne botulism is prevalent in northwestern China, linked to traditional homemade foods. Recently, some cases have been linked to commercial vacuum-packaged ready-to-eat meat products. Soil is a potential contamination source, yet genomic information on environmental isolates from high-incidence regions remains scarce.

This study presents the first genomic characterization of 23 C. botulinum isolates obtained from soil and soybean samples in Northwest China. Four botulinum neurotoxin subtypes, A5(B3), B2, B3, and B4, were identified, each demonstrating notable geographic and metabolic diversity. Subtype-specific genomic adaptations, transposase insertions, and an incomplete prophage carrying bont in one isolate were observed, suggesting historical horizontal gene transfer.

Soils in high-incidence regions may act as persistent reservoirs of C. botulinum, emphasizing the need for targeted evidence-based public health interventions. Strengthening hygiene and sanitation practices during food processing, along with enhanced surveillance of both traditional and commercial food products, are essential to prevent future foodborne botulism outbreaks in endemic regions.

Transcriptomic approaches have been used in phylogenetic studies of eukaryotes, yet their application to prokaryotic organisms remains limited. To date, research on species differentiation and phylogenetic relationships within Bartonella spp. has relied primarily on genomic data, and the taxonomic relationships among species in this genus remain poorly resolved.

The transcriptome of Bartonella spp. varies based on species and host origins and exhibits systematic differences. Transcriptome-based phylogenetic analysis reveals that strains cluster by species and host origin. This pattern indicates that differentiation by species and genetic evolution of Bartonella is predominantly shaped by the host origin.

Our study confirms that transcriptomics is an effective tool for determining differentiation and evolutionary relationships among Bartonella spp. and demonstrates its potential applicability to studies of other prokaryotic species.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a highly fatal tick-borne viral disease caused by Dabie bandavirus (DBV), traditionally endemic in rural agricultural and tea plantation areas. Reported cases of SFTS linked to tick bites are sparse in China's core urban areas.

This report documents two SFTS cases infected in well-afforested residential zones in the urban areas of Nanjing. Emergency tick monitoring identified DBV-positive ticks in related green spaces, suggesting the sporadic presence of natural foci in specific urban environments.

This report provides initial evidence of DBV transmission in urban areas with suitable tick habitats, which increases the risk of infection in densely populated and well-afforested urban settings. This report highlights the need for clinicians to recognize SFTS cases without a clear history of agricultural or rural exposure. To mitigate urban SFTS transmission risk, a multipronged strategy is required that encompasses strengthened surveillance, integrated vector control, public education, and clinical vigilance, including early recognition and optimized referral pathways.