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Zanditenas E, Ankri S. Unraveling the interplay between unicellular parasites and bacterial biofilms: Implications for disease persistence and antibiotic resistance. Virulence 2024; 15:2289775. [PMID: 38058008 PMCID: PMC10761080 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2289775] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms have attracted significant attention due to their involvement in persistent infections, food and water contamination, and infrastructure corrosion. This review delves into the intricate interactions between bacterial biofilms and unicellular parasites, shedding light on their impact on biofilm formation, structure, and function. Unicellular parasites, including protozoa, influence bacterial biofilms through grazing activities, leading to adaptive changes in bacterial communities. Moreover, parasites like Leishmania and Giardia can shape biofilm composition in a grazing independent manner, potentially influencing disease outcomes. Biofilms, acting as reservoirs, enable the survival of protozoan parasites against environmental stressors and antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, these biofilms may influence parasite virulence and stress responses, posing challenges in disease treatment. Interactions between unicellular parasites and fungal-containing biofilms is also discussed, hinting at complex microbial relationships in various ecosystems. Understanding these interactions offers insights into disease mechanisms and antibiotic resistance dissemination, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies and ecosystem-level implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Zanditenas
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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2
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Cai X, Hu Y, Zhou S, Meng D, Xia S, Wang H. Unraveling bacterial and eukaryotic communities in secondary water supply systems: Dynamics, assembly, and health implications. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120597. [PMID: 37713796 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Secondary water supply systems (SWSSs) are crucial water supply infrastructures for high-rise buildings in metropolitan cities. In recent years, they have garnered public attention due to increased microbial risks. However, our understanding of SWSS microbial ecology, particularly concerning the composition of eukaryotes and the underlying mechanisms driving microbial dynamics and assembly in SWSSs, remains elusive. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on both eukaryotes and bacteria along the water transportation pathway and across various microbial habitats (water, biofilm, and sediment) in SWSSs. Sequencing results revealed that eukaryotes within SWSSs predominantly consist of protists (average abundance: 31.23%) and metazoans (20.91%), while amoebae accounted for 4.71% of the total. During water transportation from the distribution mains to taps, both bacterial and eukaryotic communities exhibited significant community shifts, and higher degrees of variation were observed for eukaryotic community among different locations within SWSSs. The normalized stochasticity ratio (NST) analysis demonstrated that bacterial community assembly was governed by stochastic processes, while eukaryotic community assembly was primarily shaped by deterministic processes. Within SWSS tanks, bacterial communities significantly varied across water, biofilm, and sediment, whereas eukaryotic communities showed minor differences among these habitats. The co-occurrence networks analysis revealed that tank biofilm and sediment harbored more eukaryote-bacterium linkages than water, suggesting biofilm and sediment might be hotspots for inter-kingdom interactions. We also applied FEAST analysis to track the source of tap water microbiota, results of which showed that household-tap bacteria mainly originated from tank water. In contrast, tank biofilm was identified as the primary microbial source to eukaryotes in household tap water. Additionally, engineering factors such as tank materials significantly affected amoeba community, and the SWSS configuration was found to influence Legionella and Mycobacterium abundances in SWSSs. Overall, results of our study shed light on the microbial ecology in SWSS and provide insights into SWSS management and health risk control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xucheng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China
| | - Yuxing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Die Meng
- Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Water Supply, Water Saving and Water Environment Governance in the Yangtze River Delta of Ministry of Water Resources, China.
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3
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Mai Y, Zheng J, Zeng J, Wang Z, Liu F, Ma L, Zhou M, Zhao S, Wu B, Wang C, Yan Q, He Z, Shu L. Protozoa as Hotspots for Potential Pathogens in the Drinking Water of a Subtropical Megacity: Diversity, Treatment, and Health Risk. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6108-6118. [PMID: 37026396 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water systems host a wide range of microorganisms essential for biosafety. However, one major group of waterborne pathogens, protozoa, is relatively neglected compared to bacteria and other microorganisms. Until now, little is known about the growth and fate of protozoa and their associated bacteria in drinking water systems. In this study, we aim to investigate how drinking water treatment affects the growth and fate of protozoa and their associated bacteria in a subtropical megacity. The results showed that viable protozoa were prevalent in the city's tap water, and amoebae were the major component of tap water protozoa. In addition, protozoan-associated bacteria contained many potential pathogens and were primarily enriched in amoeba hosts. Furthermore, this study showed that current drinking water disinfection methods have little effect on protozoa and their associated bacteria. Besides, ultrafiltration membranes unexpectedly served as an ideal growth surface for amoebae in drinking water systems, and they could significantly promote the growth of amoeba-associated bacteria. In conclusion, this study shows that viable protozoa and their associated bacteria are prevalent in tap water, which may present an emerging health risk in drinking water biosafety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingwen Mai
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianyi Zheng
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiaxiong Zeng
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zihe Wang
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lu Ma
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qingyun Yan
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhili He
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Longfei Shu
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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4
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Zhang L, Graham N, Li G, Yu W. Divergent accumulation of membrane biofouling by slight elevation of nitrogen and phosphorus in drinking water treatment: Performances and mechanisms. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 222:118898. [PMID: 35908480 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118898] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Membrane biofouling has been intensively investigated over many years; however, little attention has been paid to the role of slightly elevated nutrients in the fouling formation, especially during drinking water treatment. In this study, we evaluated the respective contribution of slightly elevated nitrogen (ca. 0.5 mg·L-1) and phosphorus (ca. 0.1 mg·L-1) concentrations to membrane biofouling formation and deciphered the associated mechanisms. The results demonstrated that the slight concentration elevation of nitrogen did not substantially decrease the permeate flux, but approximately 50% of the permeate flux was reduced by the elevated phosphorus. The fouling layer was thickened about 4-fold due to the slight elevation of phosphorus and this resulted in the best removal performance of fluorescent organics. In contrast, the fouling layer structure was not markedly changed by the elevated nitrogen. The concentrations of proteins and polysaccharides in the fouling layers increased to different degrees, with phosphorus playing a more pronounced role than nitrogen. The molecular experiments revealed that the filamentous Arthronema dominated the nitrogen-enriched fouling layer, but they decreased to nearly zero in the phosphorus-enriched fouling layer, and the Xanthobacter, which was capable of secreting large amounts of EPS, was enhanced. The growth of algae Chlorellales was stimulated by the elevated nitrogen, while Sphaeropleales was dominant with elevated phosphorus, and for protozoa, Vannella was increased by nitrogen, whereas members of Hartmannella were enhanced by phosphorus. Our findings indicate that the impact of slight increases in concentration of nutrients, especially phosphorus, should be taken into account in drinking water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nigel Graham
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Guibai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wenzheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
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5
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Paranjape K, Bédard É, Shetty D, Hu M, Choon FCP, Prévost M, Faucher SP. Unravelling the importance of the eukaryotic and bacterial communities and their relationship with Legionella spp. ecology in cooling towers: a complex network. MICROBIOME 2020; 8:157. [PMID: 33183356 PMCID: PMC7664032 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00926-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cooling towers are a major source of large community-associated outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, a severe pneumonia. This disease is contracted when inhaling aerosols that are contaminated with bacteria from the genus Legionella, most importantly Legionella pneumophila. How cooling towers support the growth of this bacterium is still not well understood. As Legionella species are intracellular parasites of protozoa, it is assumed that protozoan community in cooling towers play an important role in Legionella ecology and outbreaks. However, the exact mechanism of how the eukaryotic community contributes to Legionella ecology is still unclear. Therefore, we used 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the eukaryotic communities of 18 different cooling towers. The data from the eukaryotic community was then analysed with the bacterial community of the same towers in order to understand how each community could affect Legionella spp. ecology in cooling towers. RESULTS We identified several microbial groups in the cooling tower ecosystem associated with Legionella spp. that suggest the presence of a microbial loop in these systems. Dissolved organic carbon was shown to be a major factor in shaping the eukaryotic community and may be an important factor for Legionella ecology. Network analysis, based on co-occurrence, revealed that Legionella was correlated with a number of different organisms. Out of these, the bacterial genus Brevundimonas and the ciliate class Oligohymenophorea were shown, through in vitro experiments, to stimulate the growth of L. pneumophila through direct and indirect mechanisms. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that Legionella ecology depends on the host community, including ciliates and on several groups of organisms that contribute to its survival and growth in the cooling tower ecosystem. These findings further support the idea that some cooling tower microbiomes may promote the survival and growth of Legionella better than others. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Paranjape
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Émilie Bédard
- Department of Civil Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Deeksha Shetty
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Mengqi Hu
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Fiona Chan Pak Choon
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Michèle Prévost
- Department of Civil Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien P Faucher
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada.
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6
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Moreno-Mesonero L, Ferrús MA, Moreno Y. Determination of the bacterial microbiome of free-living amoebae isolated from wastewater by 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 190:109987. [PMID: 32771367 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa commonly found in water. FLA are well-established hosts for amoeba-resistant bacteria, most of which are pathogenic, and offer them shelter from adverse environmental conditions or water treatments. Since there is very little knowledge about the complete bacterial microbiome of FLA, in this work the bacterial microbiome of FLA isolated from wastewater both after secondary and tertiary treatments was studied by amplicon-based sequencing. FLA were detected in 87.5% and 50.0% of wastewater samples taken after secondary and tertiary disinfection treatments, respectively. The most abundant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which represented 83.77% of the total bacterial FLA microbiome. The most abundant class of bacteria was Gammaproteobacteria, which contains an important number of relevant pathogenic bacteria. The bacteria of public health concern Aeromonas, Arcobacter, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Klebsiella, Legionella, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas and Salmonella were detected as part of the FLA microbiome. Although different microbial communities were identified in each sample, there is no correlation between the microbiome of FLA and the extent of wastewater treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first work in which the bacterial microbiome of FLA isolated from wastewater is studied. Obtained results indicate that FLA are hosts of potentially pathogenic bacteria in treated wastewater used for irrigation, which may pose a public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moreno-Mesonero
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
| | - María Antonia Ferrús
- Biotechnology Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Yolanda Moreno
- Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
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7
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Ley CJ, Proctor CR, Jordan K, Ra K, Noh Y, Odimayomi T, Julien R, Kropp I, Mitchell J, Nejadhashemi AP, Whelton AJ, Aw TG. Impacts of Municipal Water-Rainwater Source Transitions on Microbial and Chemical Water Quality Dynamics at the Tap. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:11453-11463. [PMID: 32786341 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
When rainwater harvesting is utilized as an alternative water resource in buildings, a combination of municipal water and rainwater is typically required to meet water demands. Altering source water chemistry can disrupt pipe scale and biofilm and negatively impact water quality at the distribution level. Still, it is unknown if similar reactions occur within building plumbing following a transition in source water quality. The goal of this study was to investigate changes in water chemistry and microbiology at a green building following a transition between municipal water and rainwater. We monitored water chemistry (metals, alkalinity, and disinfectant byproducts) and microbiology (total cell counts, plate counts, and opportunistic pathogen gene markers) throughout two source water transitions. Several constituents including alkalinity and disinfectant byproducts served as indicators of municipal water remaining in the system since the rainwater source does not contain these constituents. In the treated rainwater, microbial proliferation and Legionella spp. gene copy numbers were often three logs higher than those in municipal water. Because of differences in source water chemistry, rainwater and municipal water uniquely interacted with building plumbing and generated distinctively different drinking water chemical and microbial quality profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Ley
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Caitlin R Proctor
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Kathryn Jordan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Kyungyeon Ra
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Yoorae Noh
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Tolulope Odimayomi
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Ryan Julien
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Ian Kropp
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Jade Mitchell
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - A Pouyan Nejadhashemi
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Andrew J Whelton
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Tiong Gim Aw
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
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8
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Bugge Harder C, Nyrop Albers C, Rosendahl S, Aamand J, Ellegaard-Jensen L, Ekelund F. Successional trophic complexity and biogeographical structure of eukaryotic communities in waterworks' rapid sand filters. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 95:5569652. [PMID: 31518408 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As groundwater-fed waterworks clean their raw inlet water with sand filters, a variety of pro- and eukaryotic microbial communities develop on these filters. While several studies have targeted the prokaryotic sand filter communities, little is known about the eukaryotic communities, despite the obvious need for knowledge of microorganisms that get in contact with human drinking water. With a new general eukaryotic primer set (18S, V1-V3 region), we performed FLX-454 sequencing of material from 21 waterworks' sand filters varying in age (3-40 years) and geographical location on a 250 km east-west axis in Denmark, and put the data in context of their previously published prokaryotic communities. We find that filters vary highly in trophic complexity depending on age, from simple systems with bacteria and protozoa (3-6 years) to complex, mature systems with nematodes, rotifers and turbellarians as apex predators (40 years). Unlike the bacterial communities, the eukaryotic communities display a clear distance-decay relationship that predominates over environmental variations, indicating that the underlying aquifers feeding the filters harbor distinct eukaryotic communities with limited dispersal in between. Our findings have implications for waterworks' filter management, and offer a window down to the largely unexplored eukaryotic microbiology of groundwater aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoffer Bugge Harder
- Department of Biology, Copenhagen University, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.,Department of Biology, Microbial Ecology Group, Lund University, Ecology Building, Solvegatan 37, SE 223-62, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Bayer Plant Science Building, 2911 15th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Christian Nyrop Albers
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland, Ø Voldgade 10, DK-1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Rosendahl
- Department of Biology, Copenhagen University, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Jens Aamand
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland, Ø Voldgade 10, DK-1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lea Ellegaard-Jensen
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland, Ø Voldgade 10, DK-1350, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Flemming Ekelund
- Department of Biology, Copenhagen University, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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9
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Nisar MA, Ross KE, Brown MH, Bentham R, Whiley H. Legionella pneumophila and Protozoan Hosts: Implications for the Control of Hospital and Potable Water Systems. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9040286. [PMID: 32326561 PMCID: PMC7238060 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic waterborne pathogen of public health concern. It is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) and Pontiac fever and is ubiquitous in manufactured water systems, where protozoan hosts and complex microbial communities provide protection from disinfection procedures. This review collates the literature describing interactions between L. pneumophila and protozoan hosts in hospital and municipal potable water distribution systems. The effectiveness of currently available water disinfection protocols to control L. pneumophila and its protozoan hosts is explored. The studies identified in this systematic literature review demonstrated the failure of common disinfection procedures to achieve long term elimination of L. pneumophila and protozoan hosts from potable water. It has been demonstrated that protozoan hosts facilitate the intracellular replication and packaging of viable L. pneumophila in infectious vesicles; whereas, cyst-forming protozoans provide protection from prolonged environmental stress. Disinfection procedures and protozoan hosts also facilitate biogenesis of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) L. pneumophila which have been shown to be highly resistant to many water disinfection protocols. In conclusion, a better understanding of L. pneumophila-protozoan interactions and the structure of complex microbial biofilms is required for the improved management of L. pneumophila and the prevention of LD.
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10
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Masangkay FR, Milanez GD, Tsiami A, Somsak V, Kotepui M, Tangpong J, Karanis P. First report of Cryptosporidium hominis in a freshwater sponge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 700:134447. [PMID: 31677419 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Identification of Cryptosporidium oocyst is essential in ensuring water quality fit for human use, consumption, and recreation. This communication proposes the supplemental analysis of substrate-associated biofilms, in particular, freshwater sponges in improving case finding of waterborne-protozoan pathogens (WBPP) in environmental aquatic samples. In this study, a small portion of a mature freshwater sponge under the Genus Spongilla was subjected to microscopic and molecular analysis to identify the presence of Cryptosporidium. Microscopic screening with modified Kinyoun's staining (MK) and microscopic confirmation using direct antibody fluorescent testing (IFT) returned with Cryptosporidium spp. positive findings. Molecular investigation resulted in the confirmation of Cryptosporidium hominis upon sequencing of PCR products and phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report of a pathogenic protozoan, C. hominis isolated from a freshwater sponge. The results of this study provide evidence of the value of expanding water quality assessment strategies to the analysis of substrate-associated biofilms and sponges in improving case finding of WBPP in natural aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick R Masangkay
- Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Department of Medical Technology, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University-Manila, Manila 1015, Philippines.
| | - Giovanni D Milanez
- Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Department of Medical Technology, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University-Manila, Manila 1015, Philippines
| | - Amalia Tsiami
- London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism, University of West London, St Mary's Road, Ealing, London W5 5RF, United Kingdom
| | - Voravuth Somsak
- Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Manas Kotepui
- Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Jitbanjong Tangpong
- Biomedical Sciences Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; University of Nicosia Medical School, Anatomy Centre, P.O. Box 24005, CY-1700, Nicosia, 2408, Cyprus
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11
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Limited presence of Waddlia chondrophila in drinking water systems in the Netherlands. New Microbes New Infect 2019; 34:100635. [PMID: 32021695 PMCID: PMC6994710 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2019.100635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is an emerging pathogen belonging to the order of Chlamydiales. This obligate intracellular bacterium was initially isolated from an aborted bovine fetus and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women. The ability of W. chondrophila to reside and replicate within a range of free-living amoebae implies a possible widespread environmental presence. Potential hosts of W. chondrophila are present in Dutch drinking water. This study therefore investigated the presence of W. chondrophila DNA in drinking water by analysing 59 samples from ten drinking water systems throughout the Netherlands. Samples were taken at three distances from the treatment plant, during both summer and winter. Twelve of the samples were positive, originating from two of the treatment plants, of which three samples were quantifiable.
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12
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Bonadonna L, Briancesco R, La Rosa G. Innovative analytical methods for monitoring microbiological and virological water quality. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.104160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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13
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Inkinen J, Jayaprakash B, Siponen S, Hokajärvi AM, Pursiainen A, Ikonen J, Ryzhikov I, Täubel M, Kauppinen A, Paananen J, Miettinen IT, Torvinen E, Kolehmainen M, Pitkänen T. Active eukaryotes in drinking water distribution systems of ground and surface waterworks. MICROBIOME 2019; 7:99. [PMID: 31269979 PMCID: PMC6610866 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0715-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eukaryotes are ubiquitous in natural environments such as soil and freshwater. Little is known of their presence in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) or of the environmental conditions that affect their activity and survival. METHODS Eukaryotes were characterized by Illumina high-throughput sequencing targeting 18S rRNA gene (DNA) that estimates the total community and the 18S rRNA gene transcript (RNA) that is more representative of the active part of the community. DWDS cold water (N = 124), hot water (N = 40), and biofilm (N = 16) samples were collected from four cities in Finland. The sampled DWDSs were from two waterworks A-B with non-disinfected, recharged groundwater as source water and from three waterworks utilizing chlorinated water (two DWDSs of surface waterworks C-D and one of ground waterworks E). In each DWDS, samples were collected from three locations during four seasons of 1 year. RESULTS A beta-diversity analysis revealed that the main driver shaping the eukaryotic communities was the DWDS (A-E) (R = 0.73, P < 0.001, ANOSIM). The kingdoms Chloroplastida (green plants and algae), Metazoa (animals: rotifers, nematodes), Fungi (e.g., Cryptomycota), Alveolata (ciliates, dinoflagellates), and Stramenopiles (algae Ochrophyta) were well represented and active-judging based on the rRNA gene transcripts-depending on the surrounding conditions. The unchlorinated cold water of systems (A-B) contained a higher estimated total number of taxa (Chao1, average 380-480) than chlorinated cold water in systems C-E (Chao1 ≤ 210). Within each DWDS, unique eukaryotic communities were identified at different locations as was the case also for cold water, hot water, and biofilms. A season did not have a consistent impact on the eukaryotic community among DWDSs. CONCLUSIONS This study comprehensively characterized the eukaryotic community members within the DWDS of well-maintained ground and surface waterworks providing good quality water. The study gives an indication that each DWDS houses a unique eukaryotic community, mainly dependent on the raw water source and water treatment processes in place at the corresponding waterworks. In particular, disinfection as well as hot water temperature seemed to represent a strong selection pressure that controlled the number of active eukaryotic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Inkinen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Sallamaari Siponen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box, 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna-Maria Hokajärvi
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna Pursiainen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jenni Ikonen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ivan Ryzhikov
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box, 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Martin Täubel
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ari Kauppinen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jussi Paananen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ilkka T. Miettinen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eila Torvinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box, 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko Kolehmainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box, 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tarja Pitkänen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 95, FI-70701 Kuopio, Finland
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14
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Samba-Louaka A, Delafont V, Rodier MH, Cateau E, Héchard Y. Free-living amoebae and squatters in the wild: ecological and molecular features. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2019; 43:415-434. [DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuz011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Free-living amoebae are protists frequently found in water and soils. They feed on other microorganisms, mainly bacteria, and digest them through phagocytosis. It is accepted that these amoebae play an important role in the microbial ecology of these environments. There is a renewed interest for the free-living amoebae since the discovery of pathogenic bacteria that can resist phagocytosis and of giant viruses, underlying that amoebae might play a role in the evolution of other microorganisms, including several human pathogens. Recent advances, using molecular methods, allow to bring together new information about free-living amoebae. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the newly gathered insights into (1) the free-living amoeba diversity, assessed with molecular tools, (2) the gene functions described to decipher the biology of the amoebae and (3) their interactions with other microorganisms in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ascel Samba-Louaka
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions (EBI), Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA51106, 86073 POITIERS Cedex 9, France
| | - Vincent Delafont
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions (EBI), Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA51106, 86073 POITIERS Cedex 9, France
| | - Marie-Hélène Rodier
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions (EBI), Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA51106, 86073 POITIERS Cedex 9, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie, CHU La Milétrie, 2 rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers Cedex, France
| | - Estelle Cateau
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions (EBI), Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA51106, 86073 POITIERS Cedex 9, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie, CHU La Milétrie, 2 rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers Cedex, France
| | - Yann Héchard
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions (EBI), Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA51106, 86073 POITIERS Cedex 9, France
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15
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Scheid PL. Vermamoeba vermiformis - A Free-Living Amoeba with Public Health and Environmental Health Significance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1874421401907010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Many case reports emphasize the fact that Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) can relatively easily get in contact with humans or animals. The presence of several facultative parasitic FLA in habitats related to human activities supports their public health relevance. While some strains of Acanthamoeba,Naegleria fowleri,Balamuthia mandrillarisand several other FLA have been described as facultative human pathogens, it remains controversial whetherVermamoeba vermiformisstrains may have a pathogenic potential, or whether this FLA is just an incidental contaminant in a range of human cases. However, several cases support its role as a human parasite, either as the only etiological agent, or in combination with other pathogens. Additionally, a wide range of FLA is known as vectors of microorganisms (endocytobionts), hereby emphasizing their environmental significance. Among those FLA serving as hosts for and vectors of (pathogenic) endocytobionts, there are also descriptions ofV. vermiformisas a vehicle and a reservoir of those endocytobionts. The involvement in animal and human health, the role as vector of pathogenic microorganisms and the pathogenicity in cell cultures, led to the assumption thatV. vermiformisshould be considered relevant in terms of public health and environmental health.
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16
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Vermamoeba vermiformis as etiological agent of a painful ulcer close to the eye. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:1999-2004. [PMID: 30972570 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06312-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In the present article, we report on the identification of Vermamoeba (Hartmannella) vermiformis as the etiological agent of a tissue infection close to the eye of a female patient. Laboratory examination revealed no involvement of any pathogenic bacteria or fungi in the tissue infection. V. vermiformis was identified by cultivation and morphology of trophozoites and cysts as well as phylogenetic analysis of nuclear 18S rDNA. The lesion improved in the course of 4 weeks by application of zinc paste.
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17
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Smith HJ, Zelaya AJ, De León KB, Chakraborty R, Elias DA, Hazen TC, Arkin AP, Cunningham AB, Fields MW. Impact of hydrologic boundaries on microbial planktonic and biofilm communities in shallow terrestrial subsurface environments. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 94:5107865. [PMID: 30265315 PMCID: PMC6192502 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Subsurface environments contain a large proportion of planetary microbial biomass and harbor diverse communities responsible for mediating biogeochemical cycles important to groundwater used by human society for consumption, irrigation, agriculture and industry. Within the saturated zone, capillary fringe and vadose zones, microorganisms can reside in two distinct phases (planktonic or biofilm), and significant differences in community composition, structure and activity between free-living and attached communities are commonly accepted. However, largely due to sampling constraints and the challenges of working with solid substrata, the contribution of each phase to subsurface processes is largely unresolved. Here, we synthesize current information on the diversity and activity of shallow freshwater subsurface habitats, discuss the challenges associated with sampling planktonic and biofilm communities across spatial, temporal and geological gradients, and discuss how biofilms may be constrained within shallow terrestrial subsurface aquifers. We suggest that merging traditional activity measurements and sequencing/-omics technologies with hydrological parameters important to sediment biofilm assembly and stability will help delineate key system parameters. Ultimately, integration will enhance our understanding of shallow subsurface ecophysiology in terms of bulk-flow through porous media and distinguish the respective activities of sessile microbial communities from more transient planktonic communities to ecosystem service and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Smith
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - A J Zelaya
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - K B De León
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - R Chakraborty
- Climate and Ecosystems Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - D A Elias
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - T C Hazen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - A P Arkin
- Department of Bioengineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - A B Cunningham
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
| | - M W Fields
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
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18
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Ren K, Xue Y, Rønn R, Liu L, Chen H, Rensing C, Yang J. Dynamics and determinants of amoeba community, occurrence and abundance in subtropical reservoirs and rivers. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 146:177-186. [PMID: 30243060 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae are widespread in freshwater ecosystems. Although many studies have investigated changes in their communities across space, the temporal variability and the drivers of community changes across different habitat types are poorly understood. A total of 108 surface water samples were collected on a seasonal basis from four reservoirs and two rivers in Xiamen city, subtropical China. We used high throughput sequencing and qPCR methods to explore the occurrence and abundance of free-living amoebae. In total, 335 amoeba OTUs were detected, and only 32 OTUs were shared by reservoir and river habitats. The reservoirs and rivers harbored unique amoebae communities and exhibited distinct seasonal patterns in community composition. High abundance of the 18S rRNA gene of Acanthamoeba was observed in spring and summer, whereas the abundance was low in autumn and winter. In addition, the abundance of Hartmannella was significantly higher when isolated from reservoirs in summer/autumn and from river in spring/summer. Moreover, the temporal patterns of amoebae communities were significantly associated with water temperature, indicating that temperature is an important variable controlling the ecological dynamics of amoebae populations. However, our comparative analysis indicated that both environmental selection, and neutral processes, significantly contributed to amoeba community assembly. The genera detected here include pathogenic species and species that can act as vectors for microbial pathogens, which can cause human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Ren
- Aquatic EcoHealth Group, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xue
- Aquatic EcoHealth Group, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Regin Rønn
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Arctic Station, University of Copenhagen, Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland; Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Lemian Liu
- Aquatic EcoHealth Group, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Huihuang Chen
- Aquatic EcoHealth Group, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Christopher Rensing
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and the Environment, Fujian Agriculture & Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Jun Yang
- Aquatic EcoHealth Group, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
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19
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Primary Colonizing Betaproteobacteriales Play a Key Role in the Growth of Legionella pneumophila in Biofilms on Surfaces Exposed to Drinking Water Treated by Slow Sand Filtration. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.01732-18. [PMID: 30291115 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01732-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Slow sand filtration with extensive pretreatment reduces the microbial growth potential of drinking water to a minimum level at four surface water supplies in The Netherlands. The potential of these slow sand filtrates (SSFs) to promote microbial growth in warm tap water installations was assessed by measuring biofilm formation and growth of Legionella bacteria on glass and chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) surfaces exposed to SSFs at 37 ± 2°C in a model system for up to six months. The steady-state biofilm concentration ranged from 230 to 3,980 pg ATP cm-2 on glass and 1.4 (±0.3)-times-higher levels on CPVC. These concentrations correlated significantly with the assimilable organic carbon (AOC) concentrations of the warm water (8 to 24 µg acetate-C equivalents [ac-C eq] liter-1), which were raised about 2 times by mixing cold and heated (70°C) SSFs. All biofilms supported growth of Legionella pneumophila with maximum concentrations ranging from 6 × 102 to 1.5 × 105 CFU cm-2 Biofilms after ≤50 days of exposure were predominated by Betaproteobacteriales, mainly Piscinibacter, Caldimonas, Methyloversatilis, and an uncultured Rhodocyclaceae bacterium. These rapidly growing primary colonizers most likely served as prey for the host amoebae of L. pneumophila Alphaproteobacteria, mostly Xanthobacteraceae, e.g., Bradyrhizobium, Pseudorhodoplanes, and other amoeba-resistant bacteria, accounted for 37.5% of the clones retrieved. A conceptual model based on a quadratic relationship between the L. pneumophila colony count and the biofilm concentration under steady-state conditions is used to explain the variations in the Legionella CFU pg-1 ATP ratios in the biofilms.IMPORTANCE Proliferation of L. pneumophila in premise plumbing poses a public health threat. Extended water treatment using physicochemical and biofiltration processes, including slow sand filtration, at four surface water supplies in The Netherlands reduces the microbial growth potential of the treated water to a minimum level, and the distributed drinking water complies with high quality standards. However, heating of the water in warm tap water installations increases the concentration of easily assimilable organic compounds, thereby promoting biofilm formation and growth of L. pneumophila Prevention of biofilm formation in plumbing systems by maintenance of a disinfectant residual during distribution and/or further natural organic matter (NOM) removal is not feasible in the supplies studied. Temperature management in combination with optimized hydraulics and material selection are therefore essential to prevent growth of L. pneumophila in premise plumbing systems. Still, reducing the concentration of biodegradable compounds in drinking water by appropriate water treatment is important for limiting the Legionella growth potential.
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20
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Delafont V, Rodier MH, Maisonneuve E, Cateau E. Vermamoeba vermiformis: a Free-Living Amoeba of Interest. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2018; 76:991-1001. [PMID: 29737382 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1199-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae are protists that are widely distributed in the environment including water, soil, and air. Although the amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are still the most studied, other species, such as Vermamoeba vermiformis (formerly Hartmannella vermiformis), are the subject of increased interest. Found in natural or man-made aquatic environments, V. vermiformis can support the multiplication of other microorganisms and is able to harbor and potentially protect pathogenic bacteria or viruses. This feature is to be noted because of the presence of this thermotolerant amoeba in hospital water networks. As a consequence, this protist could be implicated in health concerns and be indirectly responsible for healthcare-related infections. This review highlights, among others, the consequences of V. vermiformis relationships with other microorganisms and shows that this free-living amoeba species is therefore of interest for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Delafont
- Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, 86022, Poitiers Cedex, France
| | - Marie-Helene Rodier
- Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, 86022, Poitiers Cedex, France
- Laboratoire de parasitologie et mycologie, CHU La Milètrie, 86021, Poitiers Cedex, France
| | - Elodie Maisonneuve
- Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, 86022, Poitiers Cedex, France
| | - Estelle Cateau
- Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipe Microbiologie de l'Eau, Université de Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, 86022, Poitiers Cedex, France.
- Laboratoire de parasitologie et mycologie, CHU La Milètrie, 86021, Poitiers Cedex, France.
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21
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van der Kooij D, Veenendaal HR, van der Mark EJ, Dignum M. Assessment of the microbial growth potential of slow sand filtrate with the biomass production potential test in comparison with the assimilable organic carbon method. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 125:270-279. [PMID: 28865376 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.06.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Slow sand filtration is the final treatment step at four surface-water supplies in the Netherlands. The microbial growth potential (MGP) of the finished water was measured with the assimilable organic carbon (AOC) method using pure cultures and the biomass production potential (BPP) test. In the BPP test, water samples were incubated untreated at 25 °C and the active-biomass concentration was measured by adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) analysis. Addition of a river-water inoculum improved the test performance and characteristic growth and maintenance profiles of the water were obtained. The maximum ATP concentration attained within seven days and the cumulative biomass production after 14 days of incubation (BPC14, d ng ATP L-1) showed highly significant and strong linear relationships with the AOC in the slow sand filtrates. The lowest AOC and BPC14 levels were observed in the supplies applying dune filtration without ozonation in post treatment, with AOC/TOC = 1.7 ± 0.3 μg acetate-C equivalents mg-1 C and BPC14/TOC = 16.3 ± 2.2 d ng ATP mg-1 C, corresponding with 1.2 ± 0.19 ng ATP mg-1 C. These characteristics may represent the lowest specific MGP of natural organic matter achievable by biofiltration at temperatures ≤20 °C. The AOC and BPC14 concentrations in the slow sand filtrate of the supply treating lake water by ozonation with granular-activated-carbon filtration and slow sand filtration as post treatment increased with decreasing temperature. The BPP test revealed that this slow sand filtrate sampled at 2 °C contained growth-promoting compounds that were not detected with the AOC test. These observations demonstrate the utility of the BPP test for assessing the MGP of drinking water and show the performance limits of biofiltration for MGP reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick van der Kooij
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, PO Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
| | - Harm R Veenendaal
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, PO Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Marco Dignum
- Waternet, PO Box 94370, 1090 GJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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22
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Zhang Y, Oh S, Liu WT. Impact of drinking water treatment and distribution on the microbiome continuum: an ecological disturbance's perspective. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:3163-3174. [PMID: 28654183 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
While microbes are known to be present at different stages of a drinking water system, their potential functions and ability to grow in such systems are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment and distribution processes could be viewed as ecological disturbances exhibited over space on the microbiome continuum in a groundwater-derived system. Results from 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis and metagenomics suggested that disturbances in the system were intense as the community diversity was substantially reduced during the treatment steps. Specifically, syntrophs and methanogens dominant in raw water (RW) disappeared after water abstraction, accompanied by a substantial decrease in both the abundance and number of functional genes related to methanogenesis. The softening effluent was dominated by an Exiguobacterium-related population, likely due to its ability to use the phosphotransferase system (PTS) as regulatory machinery to control the energy conditions of the cell. After disinfection and entering the distribution system, community-level functionality remained relatively stable, whereas the community structure differed from those taken in the treatment steps. The diversity and high abundance of some eukaryotic groups in the system suggested that predation could be a disturbance to the bacterial microbiome, which could further drive the diversification of the bacterial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL, 61810, USA
| | - Seungdae Oh
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Wen-Tso Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL, 61810, USA
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van der Kooij D, Bakker GL, Italiaander R, Veenendaal HR, Wullings BA. Biofilm Composition and Threshold Concentration for Growth of Legionella pneumophila on Surfaces Exposed to Flowing Warm Tap Water without Disinfectant. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:e02737-16. [PMID: 28062459 PMCID: PMC5311405 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02737-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Legionella pneumophila in potable water installations poses a potential health risk, but quantitative information about its replication in biofilms in relation to water quality is scarce. Therefore, biofilm formation on the surfaces of glass and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) in contact with tap water at 34 to 39°C was investigated under controlled hydraulic conditions in a model system inoculated with biofilm-grown L. pneumophila The biofilm on glass (average steady-state concentration, 23 ± 9 pg ATP cm-2) exposed to treated aerobic groundwater (0.3 mg C liter-1; 1 μg assimilable organic carbon [AOC] liter-1) did not support growth of the organism, which also disappeared from the biofilm on CPVC (49 ± 9 pg ATP cm-2) after initial growth. L. pneumophila attained a level of 4.3 log CFU cm-2 in the biofilms on glass (1,055 ± 225 pg ATP cm-2) and CPVC (2,755 ± 460 pg ATP cm-2) exposed to treated anaerobic groundwater (7.9 mg C liter-1; 10 μg AOC liter-1). An elevated biofilm concentration and growth of L. pneumophila were also observed with tap water from the laboratory. The Betaproteobacteria Piscinibacter and Methyloversatilis and amoeba-resisting Alphaproteobacteria predominated in the clones and isolates retrieved from the biofilms. In the biofilms, the Legionella colony count correlated significantly with the total cell count (TCC), heterotrophic plate count, ATP concentration, and presence of Vermamoeba vermiformis This amoeba was rarely detected at biofilm concentrations of <100 pg ATP cm-2 A threshold concentration of approximately 50 pg ATP cm-2 (TCC = 1 × 106 to 2 × 106 cells cm-2) was derived for growth of L. pneumophila in biofilms.IMPORTANCELegionella pneumophila is the etiologic agent in more than 10,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease that are reported annually worldwide and in most of the drinking water-associated disease outbreaks reported in the United States. The organism proliferates in biofilms on surfaces exposed to warm water in engineered freshwater installations. An investigation with a test system supplied with different types of warm drinking water without disinfectant under controlled hydraulic conditions showed that treated aerobic groundwater (0.3 mg liter-1 of organic carbon) induced a low biofilm concentration that supported no or very limited growth of L. pneumophila Elevated biofilm concentrations and L. pneumophila colony counts were observed on surfaces exposed to two types of extensively treated groundwater, containing 1.8 and 7.9 mg C liter-1 and complying with the microbial water quality criteria during distribution. Control measures in warm tap water installations are therefore essential for preventing growth of L. pneumophila.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bart A Wullings
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
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24
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Pang M, Lin X, Liu J, Guo C, Gao S, Du H, Lu C, Liu Y. Identification of Aeromonas hydrophila Genes Preferentially Expressed after Phagocytosis by Tetrahymena and Involvement of Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:199. [PMID: 28083518 PMCID: PMC5183988 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Free-living protozoa affect the survival and virulence evolution of pathogens in the environment. In this study, we explored the fate of Aeromonas hydrophila when co-cultured with the bacteriovorous ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila and investigated bacterial gene expression associated with the co-culture. Virulent A. hydrophila strains were found to have ability to evade digestion in the vacuoles of this protozoan. In A. hydrophila, a total of 116 genes were identified as up-regulated following co-culture with T. thermophila by selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) and comparative dot-blot analysis. A large proportion of these genes (42/116) play a role in metabolism, and some of the genes have previously been characterized as required for bacterial survival and replication within macrophages. Then, we inactivated the genes encoding methionine sulfoxide reductases, msrA, and msrB, in A. hydrophila. Compared to the wild-type, the mutants ΔmsrA and ΔmsrAB displayed significantly reduced resistance to predation by T. thermophila, and 50% lethal dose (LD50) determinations in zebrafish demonstrated that both mutants were highly attenuated. This study forms a solid foundation for the study of mechanisms and implications of bacterial defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoda Pang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjing, China; Key Lab of Food Quality and Safety of Jiangsu Province-State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, Institute of Food Safety, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanjing, China
| | - Xiaoqin Lin
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Changming Guo
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Hechao Du
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Chengping Lu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
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25
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Disinfection performance of adsorption using graphite adsorbent coupled with electrochemical regeneration for various microorganisms present in water. J IND ENG CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2016.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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Multiplication of Legionella pneumophila Sequence Types 1, 47, and 62 in Buffered Yeast Extract Broth and Biofilms Exposed to Flowing Tap Water at Temperatures of 38°C to 42°C. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:6691-6700. [PMID: 27613680 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01107-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Legionella pneumophila proliferates in freshwater environments at temperatures ranging from 25 to 45°C. To investigate the preference of different sequence types (ST) for a specific temperature range, growth of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (SG1) ST1 (environmental strains), ST47, and ST62 (disease-associated strains) was measured in buffered yeast extract broth (BYEB) and biofilms grown on plasticized polyvinyl chloride in flowing heated drinking water originating from a groundwater supply. The optimum growth temperatures in BYEB were approximately 37°C (ST1), 39°C (ST47), and 41°C (ST62), with maximum growth temperatures of 42°C (ST1) and 43°C (ST47 and ST62). In the biofilm at 38°C, the ST47 and ST62 strains multiplied equally well compared to growth of the environmental ST1 strain and an indigenous L. pneumophila non-SG1 strain, all attaining a concentration of approximately 107 CFU/cm-2 Raising the temperature to 41°C did not impact these levels within 4 weeks, but the colony counts of all strains tested declined (at a specific decline rate of 0.14 to 0.41 day-1) when the temperature was raised to 42°C. At this temperature, the concentration of Vermamoeba vermiformis in the biofilm, determined with quantitative PCR (qPCR), was about 2 log units lower than the concentration at 38°C. In columns operated at a constant temperature, ranging from 38 to 41°C, none of the tested strains multiplied in the biofilm at 41°C, in which also V. vermiformis was not detected. These observations suggest that strains of ST47 and ST62 did not multiply in the biofilm at a temperature of ≥41°C because of the absence of a thermotolerant host. IMPORTANCE Growth of Legionella pneumophila in tap water installations is a serious public health concern. The organism includes more than 2,100 varieties (sequence types). More than 50% of the reported cases of Legionnaires' disease are caused by a few sequence types which are very rarely detected in the environment. Strains of selected virulent sequence types proliferated in biofilms on surfaces exposed to warm (38°C) tap water to the same level as environmental varieties and multiplied well as pure culture in a nutrient-rich medium at temperatures of 42 and 43°C. However, these organisms did not grow in the biofilms at temperatures of ≥41°C. Typical host amoebae also did not multiply at these temperatures. Apparently, proliferation of thermotolerant host amoebae is needed to enable multiplication of the virulent L. pneumophila strains in the environment at elevated temperatures. The detection of these amoebae in water installations therefore is a scientific challenge with practical implications.
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27
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Delafont V, Bouchon D, Héchard Y, Moulin L. Environmental factors shaping cultured free-living amoebae and their associated bacterial community within drinking water network. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 100:382-392. [PMID: 27219048 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) constitute an important part of eukaryotic populations colonising drinking water networks. However, little is known about the factors influencing their ecology in such environments. Because of their status as reservoir of potentially pathogenic bacteria, understanding environmental factors impacting FLA populations and their associated bacterial community is crucial. Through sampling of a large drinking water network, the diversity of cultivable FLA and their bacterial community were investigated by an amplicon sequencing approach, and their correlation with physicochemical parameters was studied. While FLA ubiquitously colonised the water network all year long, significant changes in population composition were observed. These changes were partially explained by several environmental parameters, namely water origin, temperature, pH and chlorine concentration. The characterisation of FLA associated bacterial community reflected a diverse but rather stable consortium composed of nearly 1400 OTUs. The definition of a core community highlighted the predominance of only few genera, majorly dominated by Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas. Co-occurrence analysis also showed significant patterns of FLA-bacteria association, and allowed uncovering potentially new FLA - bacteria interactions. From our knowledge, this study is the first that combines a large sampling scheme with high-throughput identification of FLA together with associated bacteria, along with their influencing environmental parameters. Our results demonstrate the importance of physicochemical parameters in the ecology of FLA and their bacterial community in water networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Delafont
- Université de Poitiers, Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipes Microbiologie de l'Eau & Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose, France; Eau de Paris, Direction de la Recherche et du Développement pour la Qualité de l'Eau, R&D Biologie, 33, Avenue Jean Jaurès, 94200 Ivry sur Seine, France
| | - Didier Bouchon
- Université de Poitiers, Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipes Microbiologie de l'Eau & Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose, France
| | - Yann Héchard
- Université de Poitiers, Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipes Microbiologie de l'Eau & Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose, France
| | - Laurent Moulin
- Eau de Paris, Direction de la Recherche et du Développement pour la Qualité de l'Eau, R&D Biologie, 33, Avenue Jean Jaurès, 94200 Ivry sur Seine, France.
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28
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Lu J, Struewing I, Vereen E, Kirby AE, Levy K, Moe C, Ashbolt N. Molecular Detection of Legionella
spp. and their associations with Mycobacterium
spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and amoeba hosts in a drinking water distribution system. J Appl Microbiol 2016; 120:509-21. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Lu
- U.S. EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory; Cincinnati OH USA
| | | | - E. Vereen
- Center for Global Safe Water; Sanitation and Hygiene; Emory University; Atlanta GA USA
| | - A. E. Kirby
- Center for Global Safe Water; Sanitation and Hygiene; Emory University; Atlanta GA USA
| | - K. Levy
- Center for Global Safe Water; Sanitation and Hygiene; Emory University; Atlanta GA USA
| | - C. Moe
- Center for Global Safe Water; Sanitation and Hygiene; Emory University; Atlanta GA USA
| | - N. Ashbolt
- School of Public Health; University of Alberta; Edmonton AB Canada
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29
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Geisen S, Bonkowski M, Zhang J, De Jonckheere JF. Heterogeneity in the genus Allovahlkampfia and the description of the new genus Parafumarolamoeba (Vahlkampfiidae; Heterolobosea). Eur J Protistol 2015; 51:335-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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30
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Mukherjee I, Hodoki Y, Nakano SI. Kinetoplastid flagellates overlooked by universal primers dominate in the oxygenated hypolimnion of Lake Biwa, Japan. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 91:fiv083. [PMID: 26187480 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastid flagellates, microscopically often detected from various aquatic environments and considered ubiquitous are seldom reported in molecular diversity studies with universal eukaryote DNA primers. To investigate this inconsistency, we examined nanoflagellate diversity in Lake Biwa, Japan by 18S rRNA gene clone libraries using universal eukaryote and kinetoplastid-specific primers. We also examined the abundance of kinetoplastids by Catalyzed Reporter Deposition-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization. No, kinetoplastid sequences were detected in the universal eukaryote primers library from epilimnion and hypolimnion in different seasons. However, kinetoplastid flagellates were detected with kinetoplastid-specific probe from all of the seasons and contributed up to 11.9 and 36.0% of total eukaryotes in the epilimnion and hypolimnion, respectively. Thus, kinetoplastids probably are a significant, sometimes dominant, group in the hypolimnion, contributing up to 43.7% of the total flagellates. Using group-specific primers, kinetoplastid sequences were also obtained from both epilimnion and hypolimnion library. Therefore, we attributed the inconsistency to the divergent nature of 18S rRNA gene of kinetoplastids, which lead to their undetection in the universal eukaryote primer libraries. This study revealed that kinetoplastids have significant ecological importance in the hypolimnion of Lake Biwa, suggesting that these flagellates have been overlooked in other studies using universal eukaryote primers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Mukherjee
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Shiga 520-2113, Japan
| | - Yoshikuni Hodoki
- Department of Biology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8521, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Nakano
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Shiga 520-2113, Japan
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31
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Canals O, Serrano-Suárez A, Salvadó H, Méndez J, Cervero-Aragó S, Ruiz de Porras V, Dellundé J, Araujo R. Effect of chlorine and temperature on free-living protozoa in operational man-made water systems (cooling towers and hot sanitary water systems) in Catalonia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:6610-8. [PMID: 25410311 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3839-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, free-living protozoa (FLP) have gained prominence as the focus of research studies due to their pathogenicity to humans and their close relationship with the survival and growth of pathogenic amoeba-resisting bacteria. In the present work, we studied the presence of FLP in operational man-made water systems, i.e. cooling towers (CT) and hot sanitary water systems (HSWS), related to a high risk of Legionella spp. outbreaks, as well as the effect of the biocides used, i.e. chlorine in CT and high temperature in HSWS, on FLP. In CT samples, high-chlorine concentrations (7.5 ± 1.5 mg chlorine L(-1)) reduced the presence of FLP by 63.8 % compared to samples with low-chlorine concentrations (0.04 ± 0.08 mg chlorine L(-1)). Flagellates and amoebae were observed in samples collected with a level of 8 mg chlorine L(-1), which would indicate that some FLP, including the free-living amoeba (FLA) Acanthamoeba spp., are resistant to the discontinuous chlorine disinfection method used in the CT studied. Regarding HSWS samples, the amount of FLP detected in high-temperatures samples (53.1 ± 5.7 °C) was 38 % lower than in low-temperature samples (27.8 ± 5.8 °C). The effect of high temperature on FLP was chiefly observed in the results obtained by the culture method, in which there was a clear reduction in the presence of FLP at temperatures higher than 50 °C, but not in those obtained by PCR. The findings presented here show that the presence of FLP in operational man-made water systems should be taken into account in future regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Canals
- Laboratory of Protistology, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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32
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Douterelo I, Boxall JB, Deines P, Sekar R, Fish KE, Biggs CA. Methodological approaches for studying the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 65:134-156. [PMID: 25105587 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The study of the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) has traditionally been based on culturing organisms from bulk water samples. The development and application of molecular methods has supplied new tools for examining the microbial diversity and activity of environmental samples, yielding new insights into the microbial community and its diversity within these engineered ecosystems. In this review, the currently available methods and emerging approaches for characterising microbial communities, including both planktonic and biofilm ways of life, are critically evaluated. The study of biofilms is considered particularly important as it plays a critical role in the processes and interactions occurring at the pipe wall and bulk water interface. The advantages, limitations and usefulness of methods that can be used to detect and assess microbial abundance, community composition and function are discussed in a DWDS context. This review will assist hydraulic engineers and microbial ecologists in choosing the most appropriate tools to assess drinking water microbiology and related aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Douterelo
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK.
| | - Joby B Boxall
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Peter Deines
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand
| | - Raju Sekar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
| | - Katherine E Fish
- Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Catherine A Biggs
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK
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33
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Delafont V, Mougari F, Cambau E, Joyeux M, Bouchon D, Héchard Y, Moulin L. First evidence of amoebae-mycobacteria association in drinking water network. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:11872-82. [PMID: 25247827 DOI: 10.1021/es5036255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae are protozoa ubiquitously found in water systems. They mainly feed on bacteria by phagocytosis, but some bacterial species are able to resist or even escape this lethal process. Among these amoeba resistant bacteria are numerous members of the genus Mycobacterium. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic pathogens that share the same ecological niches as amoebae. While several studies have demonstrated the ability of these bacteria to colonise and persist within drinking water networks, there is also strong suspicion that mycobacteria could use amoebae as a vehicle for protection and even replication. We investigated here the presence of NTM and FLA on a drinking water network during an all year round sampling campaign. We observed that 87.6% of recovered amoebal cultures carried high numbers of NTM. Identification of these amoeba and mycobacteria strains indicated that the main genera found in drinking water networks, that is, Acanthamoeba, Vermamoeba, Echinamoeba, and Protacanthamoeba are able to carry and likely to allow replication of several environmental and potentially pathogenic mycobacteria including M. llatzerense and M. chelonae. Direct Sanger sequencing as well as pyrosequencing of environmental isolates demonstrated the frequent association of mycobacteria and FLA, as they are part of the most represented genera composing amoebae's microbiome. This is the first time that an association between FLA and NTM is observed in water networks, highlighting the importance of FLA in the ecology of NTM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Delafont
- Université de Poitiers , Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, Equipes Microbiologie de l'Eau & Ecologie, Evolution, Symbiose, Poitiers 86000, France
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34
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Thomas JM, Thomas T, Stuetz RM, Ashbolt NJ. Your garden hose: a potential health risk due to Legionella spp. growth facilitated by free-living amoebae. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:10456-10464. [PMID: 25075763 DOI: 10.1021/es502652n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Common garden hoses may generate aerosols of inhalable size (≤10 μm) during use. If humans inhale aerosols containing Legionella bacteria, Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever may result. Clinical cases of these illnesses have been linked to garden hose use. The hose environment is ideal for the growth and interaction of Legionella and free-living amoebae (FLA) due to biofilm formation, elevated temperatures, and stagnation of water. However, the microbial densities and hose conditions necessary to quantify the human health risks have not been reported. Here we present data on FLA and Legionella spp. detected in water and biofilm from two types of garden hoses over 18 months. By culturing and qPCR, two genera of FLA were introduced via the drinking water supply and reached mean densities of 2.5 log10 amoebae·mL(-1) in garden hose water. Legionella spp. densities (likely including pathogenic L. pneumophila) were significantly higher in one type of hose (3.8 log10 cells·mL(-1), p < 0.0001). A positive correlation existed between Vermamoebae vermiformis densities and Legionella spp. densities (r = 0.83, p < 0.028). The densities of Legionella spp. identified in the hoses were similar to those reported during legionellosis outbreaks in other situations. Therefore, we conclude that there is a health risk to susceptible users from the inhalation of garden hose aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M Thomas
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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35
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Vaerewijck MJ, Baré J, Lambrecht E, Sabbe K, Houf K. Interactions of Foodborne Pathogens with Free-living Protozoa: Potential Consequences for Food Safety. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Baré
- Dept. of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Ghent Univ; Belgium
| | - Ellen Lambrecht
- Dept. of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Ghent Univ; Belgium
| | - Koen Sabbe
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology; Dept. of Biology, Ghent Univ; Belgium
| | - Kurt Houf
- Dept. of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Ghent Univ; Belgium
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36
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Lu J, Buse HY, Gomez-Alvarez V, Struewing I, Santo Domingo J, Ashbolt NJ. Impact of drinking water conditions and copper materials on downstream biofilm microbial communities and Legionella pneumophila colonization. J Appl Microbiol 2014; 117:905-18. [PMID: 24935752 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This study examined the impact of pipe materials and introduced Legionella pneumophila on downstream Leg. pneumophila colonization and microbial community structures under conditions of low flow and low chlorine residual. METHODS AND RESULTS CDC biofilm(™) reactors containing either unplasticized polyvinylchloride (uPVC) or copper (Cu) coupons were used to develop mature biofilms on Norprene(™) tubing effluent lines to simulate possible in-premise biofilm conditions. The microbial communities were characterized through 16S and 18S rRNA gene clone libraries and Leg. pneumophila colonization was determined via specific qPCR assays. The Cu significantly decreased downstream microbial diversity, approximately halved bacterial and eukaryotic abundance, with some groups only detected in uPVC-reactor tubing biofilms. However, some probable amoeba-resisting bacteria (ARB) like Mycobacterium spp. and Rhodobacteraceae were significantly more abundant in the Cu than uPVC-reactor tubing biofilms. In particular, Leg. pneumophila only persisted (postinoculation) within the Cu-reactor tubing biofilms, and the controlled low chlorine residue and water flow conditions led to a general high abundance of possible free-living protozoa in all tubing biofilms. The higher relative abundance of ARB-like sequences from Cu-coupons vs uPVC may have been promoted by amoebal selection and subsequent ARB protection from Cu inhibitory effects. CONCLUSIONS Copper pipe and low flow conditions had significant impact on downstream biofilm microbial structures (on plastic pipe) and the ability for Leg. pneumophila colonization post an introduction event. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This is the first report that compares the effects of copper and uPVC materials on downstream biofilm communities grown on a third (Norprene(™)) surface material. The downstream biofilms contained a high abundance of free-living amoebae and ARB, which may have been driven by a lack of residual disinfectant and periodic stagnant conditions. Given the prevalence of Cu-piping in buildings, there may be increased risk from drinking water exposures to ARB following growth on pipe/fixture biofilms within premise drinking water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Lu
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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37
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Lin W, Yu Z, Zhang H, Thompson IP. Diversity and dynamics of microbial communities at each step of treatment plant for potable water generation. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 52:218-30. [PMID: 24268295 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2013] [Revised: 10/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of bacterial and eukaryotic community associated with each step of a water purification plant in China was investigated using 454 pyrosequencing and qPCR based approaches. Analysis of pyrosequencing revealed that a high degree diversity of bacterial and eukaryotic communities is present in the drinking water treatment process before sand filtration. In addition, the microbial compositions of the biofilm in the sand filters and those of the water of the putatively clear tanks were distinct, suggesting that sand filtration and chlorination treatments played primary roles in removing exposed microbial communities. Potential pathogens including Acinetobacter, Clostridium, Legionella, and Mycobacterium, co-occurred with protozoa such as Rhizopoda (Hartmannellidae), and fungi such as Penicillium and Aspergillus. Furthermore, this study supported the ideas based on molecular level that biofilm communities were different from those in corresponding water samples, and that the concentrations of Mycobacterium spp., Legionella spp., and Naegleria spp. in the water samples declined with each step of the water treatment process by qPCR. Overall, this study provides the first detailed evaluation of bacterial and eukaryotic diversity at each step of an individual potable water treatment process located in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfang Lin
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Zhisheng Yu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China; Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK.
| | - Hongxun Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Ian P Thompson
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
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Buse HY, Lu J, Lu X, Mou X, Ashbolt NJ. Microbial diversities (16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing) and environmental pathogens within drinking water biofilms grown on the common premise plumbing materials unplasticized polyvinylchloride and copper. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2014; 88:280-95. [PMID: 24490699 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Drinking water (DW) biofilm communities influence the survival of opportunistic pathogens, yet knowledge about the microbial composition of DW biofilms developed on common in-premise plumbing material is limited. Utilizing 16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, this study characterized the microbial community structure within DW biofilms established on unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) and copper (Cu) surfaces and the impact of introducing Legionella pneumophila (Lp) and Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Mature (> 1 year old) biofilms were developed before inoculation with sterilized DW (control, Con), Lp, or Lp and A. polyphaga (LpAp). Comparison of uPVC and Cu biofilms indicated significant differences between bacterial (P = 0.001) and eukaryotic (P < 0.01) members attributable to the unique presence of several family taxa: Burkholderiaceae, Characeae, Epistylidae, Goniomonadaceae, Paramoebidae, Plasmodiophoridae, Plectidae, Sphenomonadidae, and Toxariaceae within uPVC biofilms; and Enterobacteriaceae, Erythrobacteraceae, Methylophilaceae, Acanthamoebidae, and Chlamydomonadaceae within Cu biofilms. Introduction of Lp alone or with A. polyphaga had no effect on bacterial community profiles (P > 0.05) but did affect eukaryotic members (uPVC, P < 0.01; Cu, P = 0.001). Thus, established DW biofilms host complex communities that may vary based on substratum matrix and maintain consistent bacterial communities despite introduction of Lp, an environmental pathogen.
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Wang H, Masters S, Edwards MA, Falkinham JO, Pruden A. Effect of disinfectant, water age, and pipe materials on bacterial and eukaryotic community structure in drinking water biofilm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:1426-35. [PMID: 24401122 DOI: 10.1021/es402636u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Availability of safe, pathogen-free drinking water is vital to public health; however, it is impossible to deliver sterile drinking water to consumers. Recent microbiome research is bringing new understanding to the true extent and diversity of microbes that inhabit water distribution systems. The purpose of this study was to determine how water chemistry in main distribution lines shape the microbiome in drinking water biofilms and to explore potential associations between opportunistic pathogens and indigenous drinking water microbes. Effects of disinfectant (chloramines, chlorine), water age (2.3 days, 5.7 days), and pipe material (cement, iron, PVC) were compared in parallel triplicate simulated water distribution systems. Pyrosequencing was employed to characterize bacteria and terminal restriction fragment polymorphism was used to profile both bacteria and eukaryotes inhabiting pipe biofilms. Disinfectant and water age were both observed to be strong factors in shaping bacterial and eukaryotic community structures. Pipe material only influenced the bacterial community structure (ANOSIM test, P < 0.05). Interactive effects of disinfectant, pipe material, and water age on both bacteria and eukaryotes were noted. Disinfectant concentration had the strongest effect on bacteria, while dissolved oxygen appeared to be a major driver for eukaryotes (BEST test). Several correlations of similarity metrics among populations of bacteria, eukaryotes, and opportunistic pathogens, as well as one significant association between mycobacterial and proteobacterial operational taxonomic units, provides insight into means by which manipulating the microbiome may lead to new avenues for limiting the growth of opportunistic pathogens (e.g., Legionella) or other nuisance organisms (e.g., nitrifiers).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Delafont V, Brouke A, Bouchon D, Moulin L, Héchard Y. Microbiome of free-living amoebae isolated from drinking water. WATER RESEARCH 2013; 47:6958-6965. [PMID: 24200009 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa that can be found in water networks where they prey on bacteria within biofilms. Most bacteria are digested rapidly by phagocytosis, however some are able to survive within amoebae and some are even able to multiply, as it is the case for Legionella pneumophila. These resisting bacteria are a potential health problem as they could also resist to macrophage phagocytosis. Several publications already reported intra-amoebal bacteria but the methods of identification did not allow metagenomic analysis and are partly based on co-culture with one selected amoebal strain. The aim of our study was to conduct a rRNA-targeted metagenomic analysis on amoebae and intra-amoebal bacteria found in drinking water network, to provide the first FLA microbiome in environmental strains. Three sites of a water network were sampled during four months. Culturable FLA were isolated and total DNA was prepared, allowing purification of both amoebal and bacterial DNA. Metagenomic studies were then conducted through 18S or 16S amplicons sequencing. Hartmannella was by far the most represented genus of FLA. Regarding intra-amoebal bacteria, 54 genera were identified, among which 21 were newly described intra-amoebal bacteria, underlying the power of our approach. There were high differences in bacterial diversity between the three sites. Several genera were highly represented and/or found at least in two sites, underlying that these bacteria could be able to multiply within FLA. Our method is therefore useful to identify FLA microbiome and could be applied to other networks to have a more comprehensive view of intra-amoebal diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Delafont
- Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions (EBI), Poitiers, France; EAU DE PARIS, Direction de la Recherche & Développement et de la Qualité des eaux (DRDQE), Paris, France
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41
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Wang S, Huang J, Yang Y, Hui Y, Ge Y, Larssen T, Yu G, Deng S, Wang B, Harman C. First report of a Chinese PFOS alternative overlooked for 30 years: its toxicity, persistence, and presence in the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:10117-28. [PMID: 23952109 DOI: 10.1021/es402455r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
This is the first report on the environmental occurrence of a chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (locally called F-53B, C8ClF16O4SK). It has been widely applied as a mist suppressant by the chrome plating industry in China for decades but has evaded the attention of environmental research and regulation. In this study, F-53B was found in high concentrations (43-78 and 65-112 μg/L for the effluent and influent, respectively) in wastewater from the chrome plating industry in the city of Wenzhou, China. F-53B was not successfully removed by the wastewater treatments in place. Consequently, it was detected in surface water that receives the treated wastewater at similar levels to PFOS (ca. 10-50 ng/L) and the concentration decreased with the increasing distance from the wastewater discharge point along the river. Initial data presented here suggest that F-53B is moderately toxic (Zebrafish LC50-96 h 15.5 mg/L) and is as resistant to degradation as PFOS. While current usage is limited to the chrome plating industry, the increasing demand for PFOS alternatives in other sectors may result in expanded usage. Collectively, the results of this work call for future assessments on the effects of this overlooked contaminant and its presence and fate in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKJLESPC), School of Environment, POPs Research Centre, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P.R. China
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Buse HY, Lu J, Struewing IT, Ashbolt NJ. Eukaryotic diversity in premise drinking water using 18S rDNA sequencing: implications for health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:6351-66. [PMID: 23589243 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1646-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to characterize microbial eukaryotes over a 12-month period to provide insight into the occurrence of potential bacterial predators and hosts in premise plumbing. Nearly 6,300 partial 18S rRNA gene sequences from 24 hot (36.9-39.0 °C) and cold (6.8-29.1 °C) drinking water samples were analyzed and classified into major eukaryotic groups. Each major group, consisting of free-living amoebae (FLA)/protozoa, algae, copepods, dinoflagellates, fungi, nematodes, and unique uncultured eukaryotic sequences, showed limited diversity dominated by a few distinct populations, which may be characteristic of oligotrophic environments. Changes in the relative abundance of predators such as nematodes, copepods, and FLA appear to be related to temperature and seasonal changes in water quality. Sequences nearly identical to FLA such as Hartmannella vermiformis, Echinamoeba thermarmum, Pseudoparamoeba pagei, Protacanthamoeba bohemica, Platyamoeba sp., and Vannella sp. were obtained. In addition to FLA, various copepods, rotifers, and nematodes have been reported to internalize viral and bacterial pathogens within drinking water systems thus potentially serving as transport hosts; implications of which are discussed further. Increasing the knowledge of eukaryotic occurrence and their relationship with potential pathogens should aid in assessing microbial risk associated with various eukaryotic organisms in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Y Buse
- Dynamac c/o US Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242, USA.
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Pyrosequence analysis of the hsp65 genes of nontuberculous mycobacterium communities in unchlorinated drinking water in the Netherlands. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:6160-6. [PMID: 23913420 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01591-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that certain opportunistic pathogenic species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can be present in distributed drinking water. However, detailed information about NTM population composition in drinking water is lacking. Therefore, NTM communities in unchlorinated drinking water from the distribution system of five treatment plants in the Netherlands were characterized using 454 pyrosequencing of the hsp65 gene. Results showed high diversities in unchlorinated drinking water, with up to 28 different NTM operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in a single sample. Each drinking water sample had a unique NTM community, and most (81.1%) OTUs were observed only once. One OTU was observed in 14 of 16 drinking water samples, indicating that this NTM species is well adapted to unchlorinated drinking water conditions. A clear influence of season, source type (groundwater, surface water), easily assimilable organic carbon (AOC) concentration, biofilm formation rate, and active biomass in treated water on the establishment of an NTM community in drinking water was not observed. Apparently, local conditions are more important for the development of a specific NTM community in the drinking water distribution system. A low (4.2%) number of hsp65 gene sequences showed more than 97% similarity to sequences of the opportunistic pathogens M. avium, M. genavense, and M. gordonae. However, most (95.8%) NTM hsp65 gene sequences were related to not-yet-described NTM species that have not been linked to disease, indicating that most NTM species in unchlorinated drinking water from distribution systems in the Netherlands have a low public health significance.
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Isolation and identification of free-living amoebae from tap water in Sivas, Turkey. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:675145. [PMID: 23971043 PMCID: PMC3736494 DOI: 10.1155/2013/675145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The present work focuses on a local survey of free-living amoebae (FLA) that cause opportunistic and nonopportunistic infections in humans. Determining the prevalence of FLA in water sources can shine a light on the need to prevent FLA related illnesses. A total of 150 samples of tap water were collected from six districts of Sivas province. The samples were filtered and seeded on nonnutrient agar containing Escherichia coli spread. Thirty-three (22%) out of 150 samples were found to be positive for FLA. The FLA were identified by morphology and by PCR using 18S rDNA gene. The morphological analysis and partial sequencing of the 18S rDNA gene revealed the presence of three different species, Acanthamoeba castellanii, Acanthamoeba polyphaga, and Hartmannella vermiformis. Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, or Sappinia sp. was not isolated during the study. All A. castellanii and A. polyphaga sequence types were found to be genotype T4 that contains most of the pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains. The results indicated the occurrence and distribution of FLA species in tap water in these localities of Sivas, Turkey. Furthermore, the presence of temperature tolerant Acanthamoeba genotype T4 in tap water in the region must be taken into account for health risks.
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45
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van Lieverloo JHM, Hoogenboezem W, Veenendaal G, van der Kooij D. Variability of invertebrate abundance in drinking water distribution systems in the Netherlands in relation to biostability and sediment volumes. WATER RESEARCH 2012; 46:4918-32. [PMID: 22840474 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2012.03.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
A survey of invertebrates in drinking water from treatment works, internal taps and hydrants on mains was carried out by almost all water companies in the Netherlands from September 1993 to August 1995. Aquatic sow bugs (Asellidae, 1-12 mm) and oligochaeta worms (Oligochaeta, 1-100 mm), both known to have caused rare though embarrassing consumer complaints, were found to form 98% of the mean biomass in water flushed from mains. Their numbers in the mains water ranged up to 1500 (mean 37) Asellidae m(-3) and up to 9900 (mean 135) Oligochaeta m(-3). Smaller crustaceans (0.5-2 mm) dominated the numbers in water from mains. e.g. water fleas (Cladocera and Copepoda up to 14,000 m(-3)). Common invertebrates in treated water and in tap water were Rotifera (<1 mm) and nematode worms (Nematoda, <2 mm). No Asellidae, large Oligochaeta (>5 mm) or other large invertebrates were found in 1560 samples of 200 l treated water or tap water. Large variations in invertebrate abundance were found within and between distribution systems. Of the variability of mean biomass in mains per system, 55%, 60% and 63% could statistically be explained by differences in the Biofilm Formation Rate, non-particulate organic matter and the permanganate index of the treated water of the treatment works respectively. A similar correlation was found between mean invertebrate biomass and mean sediment volumes in the distribution systems (R(2) = 52%).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hein M van Lieverloo
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
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46
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Liu R, Yu Z, Guo H, Liu M, Zhang H, Yang M. Pyrosequencing analysis of eukaryotic and bacterial communities in faucet biofilms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 435-436:124-31. [PMID: 22846772 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to understand the microbial communities in drinking water biofilms, both eukaryotic and bacterial communities in three faucet biofilms were characterized by 454 pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR approaches. Microbial assemblages of the biofilms were dominated by bacteria, with Sphingomonadales, Rhizobiales, and Burkholderiales comprising the major bacterial populations. Although about 2 years of biofilm development occurred, the microbial community at site WSW still demonstrates the characteristics of a young biofilm community, e.g. low biomass, abundant aggregating bacteria (Blastomonas spp. and Acidovorax spp.) etc. Hartmannella of amoebae was the dominant eukaryotic predator in the biofilms, and correlated closely with biofilm bacterial biomass. Nonetheless, there was no obvious association of pathogens with amoebae in the faucet biofilms. In contrast, residual chlorine seems to be a dominant factor impacting the abundance of Legionella and Mycobacterium, two primary potential opportunistic pathogens detected in all faucet biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyin Liu
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
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47
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Seasonal diversity of planktonic protists in Southwestern Alberta rivers over a 1-year period as revealed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and 18S rRNA gene library analyses. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:5653-60. [PMID: 22685143 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00237-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The temporal dynamics of planktonic protists in river water have received limited attention despite their ecological significance and recent studies linking phagotrophic protists to the persistence of human-pathogenic bacteria. Using molecular-based techniques targeting the 18S rRNA gene, we studied the seasonal diversity of planktonic protists in Southwestern Alberta rivers (Oldman River Basin) over a 1-year period. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) data revealed distinct shifts in protistan community profiles that corresponded to season rather than geographical location. Community structures were examined by using clone library analysis; HaeIII restriction profiles of 18S rRNA gene amplicons were used to remove prevalent solanaceous plant clones prior to sequencing. Sanger sequencing of the V1-to-V3 region of the 18S rRNA gene libraries from spring, summer, fall, and winter supported the T-RFLP results and showed marked seasonal differences in the protistan community structure. The spring library was dominated by Chloroplastidae (29.8%), Centrohelida (28.1%), and Alveolata (25.5%), while the summer and fall libraries contained primarily fungal clones (83.0% and 88.0%, respectively). Alveolata (35.6%), Euglenozoa (24.4%), Chloroplastida (15.6%), and Fungi (15.6%) dominated the winter library. These data demonstrate that planktonic protists, including protozoa, are abundant in river water in Southwestern Alberta and that conspicuous seasonal shifts occur in the community structure.
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Molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba isolated in water treatment plants and comparison with clinical isolates. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:383-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2849-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Relationships between free-living protozoa, cultivable Legionella spp., and water quality characteristics in three drinking water supplies in the Caribbean. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:7321-8. [PMID: 21873489 DOI: 10.1128/aem.05575-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The study whose results are presented here aimed at identifying free-living protozoa (FLP) and conditions favoring the growth of these organisms and cultivable Legionella spp. in drinking water supplies in a tropical region. Treated and distributed water (±30°C) of the water supplies of three Caribbean islands were sampled and investigated with molecular techniques, based on the 18S rRNA gene. The protozoan host Hartmannella vermiformis and cultivable Legionella pneumophila were observed in all three supplies. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with the highest similarity to the potential or candidate hosts Acanthamoeba spp., Echinamoeba exundans, E. thermarum, and an Neoparamoeba sp. were detected as well. In total, 59 OTUs of FLP were identified. The estimated protozoan richness did not differ significantly between the three supplies. In supply CA-1, the concentration of H. vermiformis correlated with the concentration of Legionella spp. and clones related to Amoebozoa predominated (82%) in the protozoan community. These observations, the low turbidity (<0.2 nephelometric turbidity units [NTU]), and the varying ATP concentrations (1 to 12 ng liter(-1)) suggest that biofilms promoted protozoan growth in this supply. Ciliophora represented 25% of the protozoan OTUs in supply CA-2 with elevated ATP concentrations (maximum, 55 ng liter(-1)) correlating with turbidity (maximum, 62 NTU) caused by corroding iron pipes. Cercozoan types represented 70% of the protozoan clones in supply CA-3 with ATP concentrations of <1 ng liter(-1) and turbidity of <0.5 NTU in most samples of distributed water. The absence of H. vermiformis in most samples from supply CA-3 suggests that growth of this protozoan is limited at ATP concentrations of <1 ng liter(-1).
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50
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Buse HY, Brehm A, Santo Domingo JW, Ashbolt NJ. Screening-level assays for potentially human-infectious environmental Legionella spp. J Microbiol 2011; 49:200-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-011-0233-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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