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Bolufer Cruañes C, Ouradou A, Pineault S, Boivin MC, Huot C, Bédard E. Uncovering wastewater treatment plants as possible sources of legionellosis clusters through spatial statistics approach and environmental analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:45234-45245. [PMID: 38961023 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34019-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are suspected reservoirs of Legionella pneumophila (Lp). The required aeration and mixing steps lead to the emission and dispersion of bioaerosols potentially harboring Lp. The aim of the project is to evaluate municipal WWTPs as a possible source of legionellosis through the statistical analysis of case clusters. A space-time scanning statistical method was implemented in SaTScan software to identify and analyze WWTPs located within and close to spatiotemporal clusters of legionellosis detected in Quebec between 2016 and 2020. In parallel, WWTPs were ranked according to their pollutant load, flow rate and treatment type. These parameters were used to evaluate the WWTP susceptibility to generate and disperse bioaerosols. Results show that 37 of the 874 WWTPs are located inside a legionellosis cluster study zone, including six of the 40 WWTPs ranked most susceptible. In addition, two susceptible WWTPs located within an extended area of 2.5 km from the study zone (2.5-km buffer) were included, for a total of 39 WWTPs. The selected 39 WWTPs were further studied to document proximity of population, dominant wind direction, and surrounding water quality. Samples collected from the influent and the effluent of six selected WWTPs revealed the presence of Legionella spp. in 92.3% of the samples. Lp and Lp serogroupg 1 (Lp sg1) were detected below the limit of quantification in 69% and 46% of the samples, respectively. The presence of Legionella in wastewater and the novel statistical approach presented here provides information to the public health authorities regarding the investigation of WWTPs as a possible source of Legionella exposure, sporadic cases, and clusters of legionellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Bolufer Cruañes
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- University Polytechnic Valencia (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Arthur Ouradou
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Pineault
- Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Caroline Huot
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Emilie Bédard
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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Conco-Biyela T, Malla MA, Olatunji Awolusi O, Allam M, Ismail A, Stenström TA, Bux F, Kumari S. Metagenomics insights into microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes from free living amoeba in chlorinated wastewater effluents. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 258:114345. [PMID: 38471337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Free living amoeba (FLA) are among the organisms commonly found in wastewater and are well-established hosts for diverse microbial communities. Despite its clinical significance, there is little knowledge on the FLA microbiome and resistome, with previous studies relying mostly on conventional approaches. In this study we comprehensively analyzed the microbiome, antibiotic resistome and virulence factors (VFs) within FLA isolated from final treated effluents of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) using shotgun metagenomics. Acanthamoeba has been identified as the most common FLA, followed by Entamoeba. The bacterial diversity showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in FLA microbiomes obtained from the two WWTPs. At phylum level, the most dominant taxa were Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. The most abundant genera identified were Enterobacter followed by Citrobacter, Paenibacillus, and Cupriavidus. The latter three genera are reported here for the first time in Acanthamoeba. In total, we identified 43 types of ARG conferring resistance to cephalosporins, phenicol, streptomycin, trimethoprim, quinolones, cephalosporins, tigecycline, rifamycin, and kanamycin. Similarly, a variety of VFs in FLA metagenomes were detected which included flagellar proteins, Type IV pili twitching motility proteins (pilH and rpoN), alginate biosynthesis genes AlgI, AlgG, AlgD and AlgW and Type VI secretion system proteins and general secretion pathway proteins (tssM, tssA, tssL, tssK, tssJ, fha, tssG, tssF, tssC and tssB, gspC, gspE, gspD, gspF, gspG, gspH, gspI, gspJ, gspK, and gspM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to examine both the microbiomes and resistome in FLA, as well as their potential pathogenicity in treated effluents. Additionally, this study showed that FLA can host a variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria including Paenibacillus, and Cupriavidus that had not previously been reported, indicating that their relationship may play a role in the spread and persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as well as the evolution of novel pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thobela Conco-Biyela
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Muneer Ahmad Malla
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Oluyemi Olatunji Awolusi
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Mushal Allam
- NICD Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, 2192, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arshad Ismail
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa; NICD Sequencing Core Facility, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, 2192, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thor A Stenström
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
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Micciulla JL, Shor LM, Gage DJ. Enhanced transport of bacteria along root systems by protists can impact plant health. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0201123. [PMID: 38534145 PMCID: PMC11022564 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02011-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Soil protists have been shown to contribute to the structure and function of the rhizosphere in a variety of ways. Protists are key contributors to nutrient cycling through the microbial loop, where biomass is digested by protists and otherwise stored nutrients are returned to the environment. Protists have also been shown to feed on plant pathogenic bacteria and alter root microbiomes in ways that may benefit plants. Recently, a mechanism involving bacterial transport, facilitated by protists, has been hypothesized to contribute to the spatial distribution of bacteria in the rhizosphere. Here, we observe the differential abilities of three soil protists: a ciliate (Colpoda sp.), a flagellate (Cercomonas sp.), and a naked amoeba (Acanthamoeba castellanii) to transport nitrogen-fixing Sinorhizobium meliloti to infectible root tips. Co-inoculation of protists plus S. meliloti resulted in the movement of bacteria, as measured by the presence of nitrogen-fixing nodules, up to 15 cm farther down the root systems when compared to plants inoculated with S. meliloti alone. Co-inoculation of the ciliate, Colpoda sp., with S. meliloti, resulted in shoot weights that were similar to plants that grew in nitrogen-replete potting mix. Colpoda sp.-feeding style and motility likely contributed to their success at transporting bacteria through the rhizosphere. We observed that the addition of protists alone without the co-inoculum of S. meliloti resulted in plants with larger shoot weights than control plants. Follow-up experiments showed that protists plus their associated microbiomes were aiding in plant health, likely through means of nutrient cycling.IMPORTANCEProtists represent a significant portion of the rhizosphere microbiome and have been shown to contribute to plant health, yet they are understudied compared to their bacterial and fungal counterparts. This study elucidates their role in the rhizosphere community and suggests a mechanism by which protists can be used to move bacteria along plant roots. We found that the co-inoculation of protists with nitrogen-fixing beneficial bacteria, Sinorhizobium meliloti, resulted in nodules farther down the roots when compared to plants inoculated with S. meliloti alone, and shoot weights similar to plants that received nitrogen fertilizer. These data illustrate the ability of protists to transport viable bacteria to uninhabited regions of the root system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. Micciulla
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Leslie M. Shor
- Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daniel J. Gage
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Bemmelen JV, Smyth DS, Baaijens JA. Amplidiff: an optimized amplicon sequencing approach to estimating lineage abundances in viral metagenomes. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:126. [PMID: 38521945 PMCID: PMC10960382 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05735-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metagenomic profiling algorithms commonly rely on genomic differences between lineages, strains, or species to infer the relative abundances of sequences present in a sample. This observation plays an important role in the analysis of diverse microbial communities, where targeted sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA, both well-known hypervariable genomic regions, have led to insights into microbial diversity and the discovery of novel organisms. However, the variable nature of discriminatory regions can also act as a double-edged sword, as the sought-after variability can make it difficult to design primers for their amplification through PCR. Moreover, the most variable regions are not necessarily the most informative regions for the purpose of differentiation; one should focus on regions that maximize the number of lineages that can be distinguished. RESULTS Here we present AmpliDiff, a computational tool that simultaneously finds highly discriminatory genomic regions in viral genomes of a single species, as well as primers allowing for the amplification of these regions. We show that regions and primers found by AmpliDiff can be used to accurately estimate relative abundances of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, for example in wastewater sequencing data. We obtain errors that are comparable with using whole genome information to estimate relative abundances. Furthermore, our results show that AmpliDiff is robust against incomplete input data and that primers designed by AmpliDiff also bind to genomes sampled months after the primers were selected. CONCLUSIONS With AmpliDiff we provide an effective, cost-efficient alternative to whole genome sequencing for estimating lineage abundances in viral metagenomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper van Bemmelen
- Intelligent Systems Department, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Davida S Smyth
- Department of Natural Sciences, Texas A &M University-San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jasmijn A Baaijens
- Intelligent Systems Department, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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da Silva TCB, Chaúque BJM, Benitez GB, Rott MB. Global prevalence of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae in sewage and sewage-related environments-systematic review with meta-analysis. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:148. [PMID: 38433138 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08164-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) include amphizoic microorganisms important in public health, widely isolated from air, water, and soil. However, its occurrence in sewage-related environments still needs to be systematically documented. This study summarizes the occurrence of FLA in sewage-related environments through a systematic review with meta-analysis. A total of 1983 scientific article were retrieved from different databases, of which 35 were selected and analyzed using a random effects forest plot model with a 95% confidence interval (IC). The pooled overall prevalence of FLA in sewage across 12 countries was 68.96% (95% IC = 58.5-79.42). Subgroup analysis indicates high prevalence in all environments analyzed, including sewage water from the sewage treatment plant (81.19%), treated sewage water (75.57%), sewage-contaminated water (67.70%), sediment contaminated by sewage (48.91%), and sewage water (47.84%). Prevalence values of Acanthamoeba spp., Hartmanella/Vermamoeba spp., and Naegleria spp. are 47.48%, 28.24%, and 16.69%, respectively. Analyzing the species level, the distribution is as follows: Acanthamoeba palestinensis (88%), A. castellanii (23.74%), A. astronyxis (19.18%), A. polyphaga (13.59%), A. culbertsoni (12.5%), A. stevensoni (8.33%), A. tubiashi (4.35%) and A. hatchetti (1.1%), Naegleria fowleri (28.4%), N. gruberi (25%), N. clarki (8.33%), N. australiensis (4.89%) and N. italica (4.29%), Hartmannella/Vermamoeba exundans (40%) and H.V. vermiform (32.61%). Overall, our findings indicate a high risk associated with sewage-related environments, as the prevalence of FLA, including pathogenic strains, is high, even in treated sewage water. The findings of this study may be valuable both for risk remediation actions against amoebic infections and for future research endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaisla Cristiane Borella da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Beni Jequicene Mussengue Chaúque
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
- Center of Studies in Science and Technology (NECET), Biology Course, Universidade Rovuma, Niassa Branch, Lichinga, Mozambique
| | - Guilherme Brittes Benitez
- Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program, Polytechnic School, Pontifical Catholic University of Parana (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marilise Brittes Rott
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil.
- Laboratory 520, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Department of Parasitology, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos Street, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, N 2600, Brazil.
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6
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Rayamajhee B, Willcox M, Sharma S, Mooney R, Petsoglou C, Badenoch PR, Sherchan S, Henriquez FL, Carnt N. Zooming in on the intracellular microbiome composition of bacterivorous Acanthamoeba isolates. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae016. [PMID: 38500701 PMCID: PMC10945361 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba in water and soil, is an emerging pathogen causing severe eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. In its natural environment, Acanthamoeba performs a dual function as an environmental heterotrophic predator and host for a range of microorganisms that resist digestion. Our objective was to characterize the intracellular microorganisms of phylogenetically distinct Acanthamoeba spp. isolated in Australia and India through directly sequencing 16S rRNA amplicons from the amoebae. The presence of intracellular bacteria was further confirmed by in situ hybridization and electron microscopy. Among the 51 isolates assessed, 41% harboured intracellular bacteria which were clustered into four major phyla: Pseudomonadota (previously known as Proteobacteria), Bacteroidota (previously known as Bacteroidetes), Actinomycetota (previously known as Actinobacteria), and Bacillota (previously known as Firmicutes). The linear discriminate analysis effect size analysis identified distinct microbial abundance patterns among the sample types; Pseudomonas species was abundant in Australian corneal isolates (P < 0.007), Enterobacteriales showed higher abundance in Indian corneal isolates (P < 0.017), and Bacteroidota was abundant in Australian water isolates (P < 0.019). The bacterial beta diversity of Acanthamoeba isolates from keratitis patients in India and Australia significantly differed (P < 0.05), while alpha diversity did not vary based on the country of origin or source of isolation (P > 0.05). More diverse intracellular bacteria were identified in water isolates as compared with clinical isolates. Confocal and electron microscopy confirmed the bacterial cells undergoing binary fission within the amoebal host, indicating the presence of viable bacteria. This study sheds light on the possibility of a sympatric lifestyle within Acanthamoeba, thereby emphasizing its crucial role as a bunker and carrier of potential human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binod Rayamajhee
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mark Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Savitri Sharma
- Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, Prof Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad, 500034, India
| | - Ronnie Mooney
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
| | - Constantinos Petsoglou
- Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital, South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Paul R Badenoch
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, 5042, Australia
| | - Samendra Sherchan
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Fiona L Henriquez
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, PA1 2BE, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Carnt
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Modra H, Ulmann V, Gersl M, Babak V, Konecny O, Hubelova D, Caha J, Kudelka J, Falkinham JO, Pavlik I. River Sediments Downstream of Villages in a Karstic Watershed Exhibited Increased Numbers and Higher Diversity of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 87:15. [PMID: 38102317 PMCID: PMC10724323 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02326-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The impact of residential villages on the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in streams flowing through them has not been studied in detail. Water and sediments of streams are highly susceptible to anthropogenic inputs such as surface water flows. This study investigated the impact of seven residential villages in a karst watershed on the prevalence and species spectrum of NTM in water and sediments. Higher NTM species diversity (i.e., 19 out of 28 detected) was recorded downstream of the villages and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) compared to sampling sites upstream (i.e., 5). Significantly, higher Zn and lower silicon concentrations were detected in sediments inside the village and downstream of the WWTP's effluents. Higher phosphorus concentration in sediment was downstream of WWTPs compared to other sampling sites. The effluent from the WWTPs had a substantial impact on water quality parameters with significant increases in total phosphorus, anions (Cl-and N-NH3-), and cations (Na+ and K+). The results provide insights into NTM numbers and species diversity distribution in a karst watershed and the impact of urban areas. Although in this report the focus is on the NTM, it is likely that other water and sediment microbes will be influenced as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Modra
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vit Ulmann
- Public Health Institute Ostrava, Partyzanske Nam. 7, 702 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Gersl
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Babak
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Konecny
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dana Hubelova
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Caha
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kudelka
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Ivo Pavlik
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Delumeau A, Quétel I, Harnais F, Sellin A, Gros O, Talarmin A, Marcelino I. Bacterial microbiota management in free-living amoebae (Heterolobosea lineage) isolated from water: The impact of amoebae identity, grazing conditions, and passage number. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165816. [PMID: 37506913 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa mainly found in aquatic environments. They are well-known reservoirs and vectors for the transmission of amoeba-resistant bacteria (ARB), most of which are pathogenic to humans. Yet, the natural bacterial microbiota associated with FLA remains largely unknown. Herein, we characterized the natural bacterial microbiota of different FLA species isolated from recreational waters in Guadeloupe. Monoxenic cultures of Naegleria australiensis, Naegleria sp. WTP3, Paravahlkampfia ustiana and Vahlkampfia sp. AK-2007 (Heterolobosea lineage) were cultivated under different grazing conditions, during successive passages. The whole bacterial microbiota of the waters and the amoebal cysts was characterized using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. The culturable subset of ARB was analyzed by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), conventional 16S PCR, and disk diffusion method (to assess bacterial antibiotic resistance). Transmission electron microscopy was used to locate the ARB inside the amoebae. According to alpha and beta-diversity analyses, FLA bacterial microbiota were significantly different from the ones of their habitat. While Vogesella and Aquabacterium genera were detected in water, the most common ARB belonged to Pseudomonas, Bosea, and Escherichia/Shigella genera. The different FLA species showed both temporary and permanent associations with differentially bacterial taxa, suggesting host specificity. These associations depend on the number of passages and grazing conditions. Additionally, Naegleria, Vahlkampfia and Paravahlkampfia cysts were shown to naturally harbor viable bacteria of the Acinetobacter, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Microbacterium genera, all being pathogenic to humans. To our knowledge, this is the first time Paravahlkampfia and Vahlkampfia have been demonstrated as hosts of pathogenic ARB in water. Globally, the persistence of these ARB inside resistant cysts represents a potential health risk. To ensure the continued safety of recreational waters, it is crucial to (i) regularly control both the amoebae and their ARB and (ii) improve knowledge on amoebae-bacteria interactions to establish better water management protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Delumeau
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isaure Quétel
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Florian Harnais
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Arantxa Sellin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Olivier Gros
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Antoine Talarmin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France
| | - Isabel Marcelino
- Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Unité TReD-Path, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France.
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Fatemi M, Niyyati M, Rouhani S, Karamati SA, Mirjalali H, Karanis P. Contamination of fresh vegetables in municipal stores with pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotypes; a public health concern. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:1010-1021. [PMID: 35443833 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2067328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. cause keratitis and encephalitis, and are a proper carrier of foodborne pathogens. A total of 70 samples including garden cress, chives, mint, parsley, and basil were collected. Samples were cultured onto a 2% non-nutrient agar medium. The cultures were analyzed using morphological and molecular techniques. In total, 18 (25.7%) out of 70 samples were positive including garden cress 10/22 (45.45%), chives 3/12 (25%), mint 2/13 (15.38%), basil 2/13 (15.38%), and parsley 1/10 (10%). The diagnostic fragment 3 was successfully sequenced in 15 samples and represented 11 (73.3%) T4, three (20%) T5, and one T9 genotypes. In addition, three, two, and one strains, belonging to the genotypes T4, T5, and T9 were ranked highly pathogenic. This is the first study reporting contamination of the most commonly consumed fresh vegetables with pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotypes. Our findings signify the public health concerns due the contamination of vegetables in municipal public markets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marziye Fatemi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Rouhani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Ahmad Karamati
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Nicosia University Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Soler L, Moreno Y, Moreno-Mesonero L, Amorós I, Alonso JL, Ferrús MA. Microbiome of Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) Isolated from Fresh Organic Produce: Potential Risk to Consumers? Foods 2023; 12:3102. [PMID: 37628102 PMCID: PMC10453443 DOI: 10.3390/foods12163102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to growing global interest in organic agriculture, this study delves into the microbial landscape of organically grown raw produce with a focus on food safety. Vegetables that are consumed raw are potential vehicles for the transmission of any type of microorganism capable of causing human disease. Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa found in many ecosystems and can serve as hosts to pathogenic bacteria. So far, data regarding the FLA bacterial microbiome in fresh produce remain scarce and are non-existent for those of organic origin. Thus, the aim of this preliminary work is to characterize the microbiome of FLA in commonly consumed raw vegetables to know their possible implications for consumers. A total of 40 organic cabbage, lettuce, spinach, and strawberry samples were analyzed. FLA were found in all samples, and their bacterial microbiome was obtained via amplicon sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform and pair-end protocol. Acanthamoeba spp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis were identified via qPCR in 65.0% and 25.0% of the samples, respectively. Regarding the bacterial microbiome of FLA, the most abundant genera were Pseudomonas (1.8-17.8%) and Flavobacterium (1.7-12.6%). Bacteria not previously related to FLA, such as Prosthecobacter or Cellvibrio, are described in this work. Importantly, several bacterial genera found within the FLA microbiome were identified as potential human pathogens, including Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Arcobacter, Klebsiella, Mycobacterium, Salmonella and Legionella. This is the first work in which FLA microbiome isolated from organic products has been characterized, underscoring the significance of understanding FLA's role as carriers of pathogenic bacteria in the context of organic food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Soler
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (L.M.-M.); (I.A.); (J.L.A.)
| | - Yolanda Moreno
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (L.M.-M.); (I.A.); (J.L.A.)
| | - Laura Moreno-Mesonero
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (L.M.-M.); (I.A.); (J.L.A.)
- Biotechnology Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Inmaculada Amorós
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (L.M.-M.); (I.A.); (J.L.A.)
| | - José Luís Alonso
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (L.S.); (L.M.-M.); (I.A.); (J.L.A.)
| | - María Antonia Ferrús
- Biotechnology Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain;
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11
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Soler L, Moreno Y, Moreno-Mesonero L, Amorós I, Alonso JL, Ferrús MA. Microbiome of Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) Isolated from Fresh Organic Produce: Potential Risk to Consumers? Foods 2023; 12:3102. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3390/foods12163102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to growing global interest in organic agriculture, this study delves into the microbial landscape of organically grown raw produce with a focus on food safety. Vegetables that are consumed raw are potential vehicles for the transmission of any type of microorganism capable of causing human disease. Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa found in many ecosystems and can serve as hosts to pathogenic bacteria. So far, data regarding the FLA bacterial microbiome in fresh produce remain scarce and are non-existent for those of organic origin. Thus, the aim of this preliminary work is to characterize the microbiome of FLA in commonly consumed raw vegetables to know their possible implications for consumers. A total of 40 organic cabbage, lettuce, spinach, and strawberry samples were analyzed. FLA were found in all samples, and their bacterial microbiome was obtained via amplicon sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform and pair-end protocol. Acanthamoeba spp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis were identified via qPCR in 65.0% and 25.0% of the samples, respectively. Regarding the bacterial microbiome of FLA, the most abundant genera were Pseudomonas (1.8–17.8%) and Flavobacterium (1.7–12.6%). Bacteria not previously related to FLA, such as Prosthecobacter or Cellvibrio, are described in this work. Importantly, several bacterial genera found within the FLA microbiome were identified as potential human pathogens, including Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Arcobacter, Klebsiella, Mycobacterium, Salmonella and Legionella. This is the first work in which FLA microbiome isolated from organic products has been characterized, underscoring the significance of understanding FLA’s role as carriers of pathogenic bacteria in the context of organic food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Soler
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Yolanda Moreno
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Moreno-Mesonero
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- Biotechnology Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Amorós
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - José Luís Alonso
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Antonia Ferrús
- Biotechnology Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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12
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Estrada R, Cosme R, Porras T, Reynoso A, Calderon C, Arbizu CI, Arone GJ. Changes in Bulk and Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Diversity Communities of Native Quinoa Due to the Monocropping in the Peruvian Central Andes. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1926. [PMID: 37630486 PMCID: PMC10458079 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a highly nutritious crop that is resistant to adverse conditions. Due to the considerable increase in its commercial production in Andean soils, the plant is suffering the negative effects of monocropping, which reduces its yield. We used for the first time a high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing approach to explore the composition, diversity, and functions of fungal and bacterial communities of the bulk and rhizosphere in soils of native C. quinoa affected by monocropping in the central Andes of Peru. The results showed that the bacterial and fungal community structure among the treatments was significantly changed by the monocropping and the types of soil (rhizosphere and bulk). Also, in soils subjected to monocropping, there was an increase in Actinobacteria and a decrease in Proteobacteria, and the reduction in the presence of Ascomycota and the increase in Basidiomycota. By alpha-diversity indices, lower values of bacteria and fungi were observed in the monoculture option compared to the soil not affected by monocropping, and sometimes significant differences were found between both. We detected differentially abundant phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria with growth-stimulating effects on plants. Also, we denoted a decrease in the abundance of the functional predictions in bacteria in the monocropped soils. This research will serve as a starting point to explore the importance and effects of microorganisms in degraded soils and their impact on the growth and quality of quinoa crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Estrada
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru; (R.E.); (T.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Roberto Cosme
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru; (R.E.); (T.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Tatiana Porras
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru; (R.E.); (T.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Auristela Reynoso
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru; (R.E.); (T.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Constatino Calderon
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina (UNALM), Av. La Molina s/n, Lima 15024, Peru
| | - Carlos I. Arbizu
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru; (R.E.); (T.P.); (A.R.)
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas (UNTRM), Cl. Higos Urco 342, Chachapoyas 01001, Peru
| | - Gregorio J. Arone
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Barranca (UNAB), Av. Toribio Luzuriaga 376, Lima 15169, Peru;
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13
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Ouradou A, Veillette M, Bélanger Cayouette A, Corbin S, Boulanger C, Dorner S, Duchaine C, Bédard E. Effect of odor treatment systems on bioaerosol microbial concentration and diversity from wastewater treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162419. [PMID: 36858219 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162419] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Biofiltration, activated carbon and chemical scrubbing are technologies used for odor control in wastewater treatment plants. These systems may also influence the airborne microbial load in treated air. The study objectives were to 1) evaluate the capacity of three odor control system technologies to reduce the airborne concentration of total bacteria, Legionella, L. pneumophila, non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and Cladosporium in winter and summer seasons and 2) to describe the microbial ecology of the biofiltration system and evaluate its impact on treated air microbial diversity. A reduction of the total bacterial concentration up to 25 times was observed after odor treatment. Quantification by qPCR revealed the presence of Legionella spp. in all air samples ranging between 26 and 1140 GC/m3, while L. pneumophila was not detected except for three samples below the limit of quantification. A significant increase of up to 25-fold of Legionella spp. was noticed at the outlet of two of the three treatment systems. NTM were ubiquitously detected before air treatment (up to 2500 GC/m3) and were significantly reduced by all 3 systems (up to 13-fold). Cladosporium was measured at low concentrations for each system (< 190 GC/m3), with 68 % of the air samples below the limit of detection. Biodiversity results revealed that biofiltration system is an active process that adapts to air pollutants over time. Legionella spp. were detected in significant abundance in the air once treated in winter (up to 27 %). Nevertheless, the abundance of protozoan hosts is low and does not explain the multiplication of Legionella spp. The season remains the most influential factor shaping biodiversity. In summer only, air biofiltration caused a significant enrichment of the biodiversity. Although odor control technologies are not designed for bacterial mitigation, findings from this study suggest their potential to reduce the abundance of some genera harboring pathogenic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ouradou
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - M Veillette
- Research Center of the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec-University Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - A Bélanger Cayouette
- Research Center of the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec-University Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - S Corbin
- City of Repentigny, Repentigny, QC, Canada.
| | | | - S Dorner
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - C Duchaine
- Research Center of the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec-University Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Canada Research Chair on Bioaerosols, University Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - E Bédard
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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14
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Zhou Q, Huang J, Guo K, Lou Y, Wang H, Zhou R, Tang J, Hou P. Spatiotemporal distribution of opportunistic pathogens and microbial community in centralized rural drinking water: One year survey in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 218:115045. [PMID: 36513125 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115045] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Centralized water supply in rural areas, supported by small waterworks (small-central mode) and by municipal water treatment plants (urban-extension mode), is an important guarantee to implement the Rural Revitalization Strategy Plan (2018-2022) in China. Opportunistic pathogens (OPs) could not be evaluated by the national drinking water sanitation standards in China (GB 5749-2022), posing potential microbial risks in rural drinking water. In this study, the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs, microbial community and the associated functional composition under two central water supply modes were investigated by molecular approaches. The results indicated that OPs were widely presented in the rural drinking water regardless of water supply modes, and were more abundant than those in the urban tap water. The insufficient residual chlorine and higher turbidity triggered more microbial proliferation, posing a seasonal variation of OPs gene copy numbers and bacterial community compositions. In warm seasons of summer and autumn, the gene copies of E. coli, M. avium, Pseudomonas spp. and the amoeba host Acanthamoeba spp. achieved up to 4.92, 3.94, 6.75 and 3.74 log10 (gene copies/mL), respectively. Potential functional prediction indicated higher relative abundance of pathogenic genes and infectious risks associated with the rural drinking water under small-central water supply mode. This one-year survey of the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs and microbial community provided scientific insights into microbial safety of rural drinking water, prompting attention on small-central water supply mode against OPs risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaomei Zhou
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China.
| | - Jingang Huang
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China; The Belt and Road Information Research Institute, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China.
| | - Kangyin Guo
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China; Zhejiang Sunrise Garment Group Co., Ltd., Shengzhou, 312400, PR China
| | - Yucheng Lou
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China.
| | - Rongbing Zhou
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
| | - Junhong Tang
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
| | - Pingzhi Hou
- The Belt and Road Information Research Institute, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, PR China
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15
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Andalib S, Mohammad Rahimi H, Niyyati M, Shalileh F, Nemati S, Rouhani S, Zali MR, Mirjalali H, Karanis P. Free-living amoebae in an oil refinery wastewater treatment facility. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156301. [PMID: 35636544 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Free Living Amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous microorganisms reported from harsh environmental conditions. Oil refinery facilities consume vast volumes of water during their processes, generating a large amount of wastewater. The present study aimed to evaluate the wastewater treatment process in an oil refinery wastewater treatment facility (ORWWTF) for the presence of FLA. Water samples were collected from an oil refinery wastewater (ORWW) for nine months. After recording physical-chemical features, samples were cultivated onto non-nutrient agar (NNA). The discriminative fragments of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene were amplified and sequenced to characterize the isolated FLA. Phylogenetic tree, and network analysis were employed to evaluate genetic relationships. The thermo- and osmotolerant tests were performed on the isolated FLA. Twenty-five (32.9%) samples were positive for FLA cultivation. Acanthamoeba spp., Vahlkampfiids, and Vermamoeba spp. were detected, of which Acanthamoeba species were predominant. There was no statistical correlation between pH, NH3, PO4, H2S, and TDS with the presence of FLA. A statistical correlation between the presence of FLA and the type of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was significant (P-value = 0.011). All Acanthamoeba spp. isolates belonged to the genotypes T4 (17/21; 80.95%) and T11 (4/21; 19.05%). Vahlkampfiids were Naegleria spp., (7/10; 70%), Tetramitus aberdonicus (1/10; 10%), Learamoeba spp., (1/10; 10%), and Vahlkampfia spp., (1/10; 10%). All three Vermamoeba spp. were V. vermiformis. The ORWW contains toxic materials, and a few microorganisms can stay active in these environments. This is the first study which isolates FLA from such super harsh conditions. For the first time, T. aberdonicus, and Learamoeba spp., were isolated from oily wastewater. Our findings signify the concern due to the distribution of potentially pathogenic FLA to downstream lands via treated wastewater that may be released after treatment processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Andalib
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farzaneh Shalileh
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Nemati
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Rouhani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Nicosia University Medical School, Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus
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Chen H, Verplaetse E, Jauslin T, Cosson P, Slamti L, Lereclus D. The Fate of Bacteria of the Bacillus cereus Group in the Amoeba Environment. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 83:1088-1104. [PMID: 34342700 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01828-2] [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: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Bacillus cereus sensu lato group consists of several closely related species, including B. anthracis, B. cereus sensu stricto, and B. thuringiensis. Spores of these pathogenic bacteria are commonly found in the soil but evidence suggests that they are unable to grow in such a natural environment in the absence of nutrient input. Amoebas have been reported to be an amplifier for several species of pathogenic bacteria and their potential involvement to explain the large amount of B. thuringiensis and B. cereus spores in soil has been frequently proposed. Here, we studied the fate of Bacillus and amoebas when cultured together. We show that the virulence factors produced by B. thuringiensis and B. cereus do not affect the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii, which, on the contrary, can phagocytose and effectively digest vegetative Bacillus cells to grow and prevent the formation of cysts. Bacterial spores can germinate in the amoeba environment and the vegetative cells can then form chains or aggregates that appear to be less efficiently phagocyted by the amoeba. The use of transcriptional fusions between fluorescent reporter genes and stationary phase- and sporulation-specific promoters showed that the sporulation process occurs more efficiently in the presence of amoebas than in their absence. Moreover, our results showed the amoeba environment to promote spore germination and allow the bacteria to complete their developmental cycle. Overall, this study suggests that the amoeba-Bacillus interaction creates a virtuous circle in which each protagonist helps the other to develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Chen
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Emilie Verplaetse
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Tania Jauslin
- Cell Physiology and Metabolism Dpt, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1 rue Michel Servet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Cosson
- Cell Physiology and Metabolism Dpt, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1 rue Michel Servet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Leyla Slamti
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Didier Lereclus
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
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17
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Gomaa F, Utter DR, Loo W, Lahr DJ, Cavanaugh CM. Exploring the protist microbiome: The diversity of bacterial communities associated with Arcella spp. (Tubulina: Amoebozoa). Eur J Protistol 2022; 82:125861. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2021.125861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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18
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Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of free-living amoeba (Naegleria and Acanthamoeba) from treated and untreated drinking water. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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19
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Cappable-Seq Reveals Specific Patterns of Metabolism and Virulence for Salmonella Typhimurium Intracellular Survival within Acanthamoeba castellanii. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169077. [PMID: 34445780 PMCID: PMC8396566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica, which causes enteritis, has a broad host range and extensive environmental longevity. In water and soil, Salmonella interacts with protozoa and multiplies inside their phagosomes. Although this relationship resembles that between Salmonella and mammalian phagocytes, the interaction mechanisms and bacterial genes involved are unclear. Here, we characterized global gene expression patterns of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium within Acanthamoeba castellanii at the early stage of infection by Cappable-Seq. Gene expression features of S. Typhimurium within A. castellanii were presented with downregulation of glycolysis-related, and upregulation of glyoxylate cycle-related genes. Expression of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island-1 (SPI-1), chemotaxis system, and flagellar apparatus genes was upregulated. Furthermore, expression of genes mediating oxidative stress response and iron uptake was upregulated within A. castellanii as well as within mammalian phagocytes. Hence, global S. Typhimurium gene expression patterns within A. castellanii help better understand the molecular mechanisms of Salmonella adaptation to an amoeba cell and intracellular persistence in protozoa inhabiting water and soil ecosystems.
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