Examination of the Aerobic Microflora of Swine Feces and Stored Swine Manure

Rapid identification of Robinsoniella peoriensis using specific 16S rRNA gene PCR primers

Robinsoniella peoriensis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium initially isolated and characterized from swine manure and feces. Since then strains of this species have been identified from a variety of mammalian and other GI tracts. More recently strains of this species have been isolated from a plethora of human infections. Therefore, it is of great interest to develop methods to rapidly identify this microorganism in the medical and other laboratories. This report describes the use of PCR primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene of R. peoriensis to identify strains of this bacterium.

Genome Sequence of a Novel Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Member of the Erysipelotrichaceae Family Isolated from a Swine Manure Storage Pit

The swine gastrointestinal tract and stored swine manure may serve as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes, as well as sources of novel bacteria. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a novel taxon in the Erysipelotrichaceae family, isolated from a swine manure storage pit that is resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Antibiotics in Agroecosystems: Introduction to the Special Section

The presence of antibiotic drug residues, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and antibiotic resistance genes in agroecosystems has become a significant area of research in recent years and is a growing public health concern. While antibiotics are used in both human medicine and agricultural practices, the majority of their use occurs in animal production where historically they have been used for growth promotion, in addition to the prevention and treatment of disease. The widespread use of antibiotics and the application of animal wastes to agricultural lands play major roles in the introduction of antibiotic-related contamination into the environment. Overt toxicity in organisms directly exposed to antibiotics in agroecosystems is typically not a major concern because environmental concentrations are generally lower than therapeutic doses. However, the impacts of introducing antibiotic contaminants into the environment are unknown, and concerns have been raised about the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Despite increased research focused on the occurrence and fate of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance over the past decade, standard methods and practices for analyzing environmental samples are limited and future research needs are becoming evident. To highlight and address these issues in detail, this special collection of papers was developed with a framework of five core review papers that address the (i) overall state of science of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems using a causal model, (ii) chemical analysis of antibiotics found in the environment, (iii) need for background and baseline data for studies of antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems with a decision-making tool to assist in designing research studies, as well as (iv) culture- and (v) molecular-based methods for analyzing antibiotic resistance in the environment. With a focus on the core review papers, this introduction summarizes the current state of science for analyzing antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems, discusses current knowledge gaps, and develops future research priorities. This introduction also contains a glossary of terms used in the core reivew papers of this special section. The purpose of the glossary is to provide a common terminology that clearly characterizes the concepts shared throughout the narratives of each review paper.