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Leri AC, Fassihi GE, Lundquist MJ, Khan M, Arguin ML. Vertical stratification and seasonality of fecal indicator bacteria in New York City playground sandboxes. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 273:116152. [PMID: 38417319 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Sandboxes in public play spaces afford a crucial opportunity for urban children to engage in naturalistic play that fosters development of cognitive, social, and motor skills. As open pits, sandboxes in New York City public playgrounds are potentially exposed to fecal inputs from various sources, including wild and domestic animals. A longitudinal study of thirteen sandboxes located in public playgrounds on the east side of Manhattan reveals ubiquity of the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci and Escherichia coli through all seasons. The highest concentrations of bacteria occur in surface sand (n = 42; mean enterococci 230 MPN/g and E. coli 182 MPN/g dry weight), with significantly lower levels at depths below the surface (n = 35; mean enterococci 21 MPN/g and E. coli 12 MPN/g dry weight), a stratification consistent with fecal loading at the surface. Generalized linear mixed models indicate that sand depth (surface vs. underlayers) is the most influential variable affecting bacterial levels (P <0.001 for both enterococci and E. coli), followed by sampling season (P <0.001 for both). Bacterial concentrations do not vary significantly as a function of playground location or ZIP code within the study area. Children's exposure while playing in sandboxes likely reaches 105 enterococci and 104E. coli in a typical play period. Microbial source tracking to identify fecal hosts reveals dog, bird, and human biomarkers in low concentrations. Open sandbox microcosms installed at ground level in the urban environment of Manhattan are fouled by enterococci and E. coli within two weeks, while adjacent closed microcosms exhibit no fecal contamination over a 33-day sampling period. Collectively, our results indicate that increasing the frequency of sand refills and covering sandboxes during times of disuse would be straightforward management strategies to mitigate fecal contamination in playground sandboxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra C Leri
- Department of Natural Sciences, Marymount Manhattan College, 221 E 71st St., New York, NY 10021, United States.
| | - G Eliana Fassihi
- Department of Natural Sciences, Marymount Manhattan College, 221 E 71st St., New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Matthew J Lundquist
- Department of Natural Sciences, Marymount Manhattan College, 221 E 71st St., New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Marjan Khan
- Department of Natural Sciences, Marymount Manhattan College, 221 E 71st St., New York, NY 10021, United States
| | - Mariette L Arguin
- P.S. 77 Lower Lab School, 1700 3rd Ave., New York, NY 10128, United States
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2
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Selvarajan R, Sibanda T, Ullah H, Abia ALK. Beach sand mycobiome: The silent threat of pathogenic fungi and toxic metal contamination for beachgoers. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115895. [PMID: 38101061 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Emphasis is always placed on bacterial but not fungal pathogens in marine environments. We analysed the fungal diversity, functional predictions, and toxic metals and metalloids contamination in beach sand from different South African locations. Results revealed a diverse fungal community, with Ascomycota, Rozellomycota, and Basidiomycota being the dominant phyla. Functional predictions highlighted fungal metabolic pathways related to of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids, in different beach samples. Elevated concentrations of toxic metals and metalloids were detected in Central and Harbour beach sands, likely due to anthropogenic activities. Correlations among different elements were observed, suggesting complex interactions in the coastal environment. Fungal pathogens like Cladosporium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida in beach sands raise potential public health risk concerns. Therefore, monitoring fungal diversity (including pathogens) alongside bacterial contamination in beach environments is imperative. The results contribute to understanding fungal community dynamics, functional potential, toxic metal and metalloid contamination, and potential risks associated with beach sand ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramganesh Selvarajan
- Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sanya, China; Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, South Africa.
| | - Timothy Sibanda
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Habib Ullah
- Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sanya, China
| | - Akebe Luther King Abia
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Environmental Research Foundation, Westville 3630, South Africa.
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Novak Babič M, Gunde-Cimerman N, Breskvar M, Džeroski S, Brandão J. Occurrence, Diversity and Anti-Fungal Resistance of Fungi in Sand of an Urban Beach in Slovenia—Environmental Monitoring with Possible Health Risk Implications. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080860. [PMID: 36012848 PMCID: PMC9410438 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Beach safety regulation is based on faecal indicators in water, leaving out sand and fungi, whose presence in both matrices has often been reported. To study the abundance, diversity and possible fluctuations of mycobiota, fungi from sand and seawater were isolated from the Portorož beach (Slovenia) during a 1-year period. Sand analyses yielded 64 species of 43 genera, whereas seawater samples yielded 29 species of 18 genera. Environmental and taxonomical data of fungal communities were analysed using machine learning approaches. Changes in the air and water temperature, sunshine hours, humidity and precipitation, air pressure and wind speed appeared to affect mycobiota. The core genera Aphanoascus, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Bisifusarium, Penicillium, Talaromyces, and Rhizopus were found to compose a stable community within sand, although their presence and abundance fluctuated along with weather changes. Aspergillus spp. were the most abundant and thus tested against nine antimycotics using Sensititre Yeast One kit. Aspergillus niger and A. welwitschiae isolates were found to be resistant to amphotericin B. Additionally, four possible human pollution indicators were isolated during the bathing season, including Meyerozyma, which can be used in beach microbial regulation. Our findings provide the foundations for additional research on sand and seawater mycobiota and show the potential effect of global warming and extreme weather events on fungi in sand and sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Novak Babič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: (M.N.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martin Breskvar
- Department of Knowledge Technologies, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sašo Džeroski
- Department of Knowledge Technologies, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - João Brandão
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-609 Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM)—Department of Animal Biology, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.N.B.); (J.B.)
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Caliskan D, Bakkaloğlu Z, Numanoglu Cevik Y, Suzuk Yildiz S, Kaskatepe B. Maldi-TOF MS identification and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from playground. Microb Pathog 2021; 159:105155. [PMID: 34418494 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this study, it was aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli strains isolated from samples taken from various children's parks of Ankara and to confirm the resistance by molecular methods. Five hundred fifty-four samples, including soil samples from 140 different parks and 414 swab samples from slides, swings, ferris wheels, seesaws, and other toys from 176 different parks, were taken. Fourty E. coli strains isolated from these samples were included in the study. Antibiotic susceptibility tests of 40 E. coli isolates were performed by EUCAST recommendations. The resistance rates of E. coli isolates were found as ciprofloxacin 5%, ampicillin 17%, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 15%, streptomycin 12.5%, tobramycin 5%, gentamicin 5%, cefotaxime 2.5%, and ceftazidime 2.5%. Intermediate rates were found as 95%, 90%, and 70% for tobramycin, gentamicin, and streptomycin respectively. blaCTX-M β-lactamase gene was investigated for an isolate determined to be resistant to both cefotaxime and ceftazidime but blaCTXM gene could not be detected. Aminoglycoside resistance of strains has been investigated because of high intermediate sensitivity rates. For this purpose, aac(6')-Ib, aac(3')-IIa, aph(3')-VI, ant(3')-I, aac(3')-IV, ant(2')-Ia genes scanned, and were detected 97.5% of our isolates ant (3')-I, %25 aac(6')-Ib', 5% aac(3')-IIa, 2.5% ant(2')-Ia. Also, aph(3')-VI, and aac(3')-IV genes could not be detected in any of the isolates. Consequently, it has been revealed that resistant E. coli strains isolated from children's parks can pose a potential risk in public health for transmission of resistant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Caliskan
- Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Van, Turkey; Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zekiye Bakkaloğlu
- MoH General Directorate of Public Health, Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratory and Biological Product, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Numanoglu Cevik
- MoH General Directorate of Public Health, Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratory and Biological Product, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Serap Suzuk Yildiz
- MoH General Directorate of Public Health, Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratory and Biological Product, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Banu Kaskatepe
- Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey.
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Ramirez-Garcia A, Pellon A, Rementeria A, Buldain I, Barreto-Bergter E, Rollin-Pinheiro R, de Meirelles JV, Xisto MIDS, Ranque S, Havlicek V, Vandeputte P, Govic YL, Bouchara JP, Giraud S, Chen S, Rainer J, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Martin-Gomez MT, López-Soria LM, Peman J, Schwarz C, Bernhardt A, Tintelnot K, Capilla J, Martin-Vicente A, Cano-Lira J, Nagl M, Lackner M, Irinyi L, Meyer W, de Hoog S, Hernando FL. Scedosporium and Lomentospora: an updated overview of underrated opportunists. Med Mycol 2018. [PMID: 29538735 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Species of Scedosporium and Lomentospora are considered as emerging opportunists, affecting immunosuppressed and otherwise debilitated patients, although classically they are known from causing trauma-associated infections in healthy individuals. Clinical manifestations range from local infection to pulmonary colonization and severe invasive disease, in which mortality rates may be over 80%. These unacceptably high rates are due to the clinical status of patients, diagnostic difficulties, and to intrinsic antifungal resistance of these fungi. In consequence, several consortia have been founded to increase research efforts on these orphan fungi. The current review presents recent findings and summarizes the most relevant points, including the Scedosporium/Lomentospora taxonomy, environmental distribution, epidemiology, pathology, virulence factors, immunology, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andoni Ramirez-Garcia
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Aize Pellon
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Aitor Rementeria
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Idoia Buldain
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Stephane Ranque
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, AP-HM / CHU Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Vladimir Havlicek
- Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Patrick Vandeputte
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU, Angers, France.,Host-Pathogen Interaction Study Group (EA 3142), UNIV Angers, UNIV Brest, Angers, France
| | - Yohann Le Govic
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU, Angers, France.,Host-Pathogen Interaction Study Group (EA 3142), UNIV Angers, UNIV Brest, Angers, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Bouchara
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU, Angers, France.,Host-Pathogen Interaction Study Group (EA 3142), UNIV Angers, UNIV Brest, Angers, France
| | - Sandrine Giraud
- Host-Pathogen Interaction Study Group (EA 3142), UNIV Angers, UNIV Brest, Angers, France
| | - Sharon Chen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Johannes Rainer
- Institute of Microbiology, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Javier Peman
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carsten Schwarz
- Cystic Fibrosis Centre Berlin/Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Bernhardt
- Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathrin Tintelnot
- Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Javier Capilla
- Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Adela Martin-Vicente
- Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN USA
| | - Jose Cano-Lira
- Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Markus Nagl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michaela Lackner
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Laszlo Irinyi
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School - Westmead Hospital, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fernando L Hernando
- Fungal and Bacterial Biomics Research Group, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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Romão D, Staley C, Ferreira F, Rodrigues R, Sabino R, Veríssimo C, Wang P, Sadowsky M, Brandão J. Next-generation sequencing and culture-based techniques offer complementary insights into fungi and prokaryotes in beach sands. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 119:351-358. [PMID: 28442200 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach, in conjunction with culture-based methods, was used to examine fungal and prokaryotic communities for the presence of potential pathogens in beach sands throughout Portugal. Culture-based fungal enumeration revealed low and variable concentrations of the species targeted (yeasts and dermatophytes), which were underrepresented in the community characterized by NGS targeting the ITS1 region. Conversely, NGS indicated that the potentially pathogenic species Purpureocillium liliacinum comprised nearly the entire fungal community. Culturable fecal indicator bacterial concentrations were low throughout the study and unrelated to communities characterized by NGS. Notably, the prokaryotic communities characterized revealed a considerable abundance of archaea. Results highlight differences in communities between methods in beach sand monitoring but indicate the techniques offer complementary insights. Thus, there is a need to leverage culture-based methods with NGS methods, using a toolbox approach, to determine appropriate targets and metrics for beach sand monitoring to adequately protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Romão
- Water and Soils Unit - Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Christopher Staley
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States
| | - Filipa Ferreira
- Water and Soils Unit - Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Raquel Rodrigues
- Water and Soils Unit - Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Raquel Sabino
- Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections - Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina Veríssimo
- Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections - Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ping Wang
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States
| | - Michael Sadowsky
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States; Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States.
| | - João Brandão
- Water and Soils Unit - Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
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