Evaluation of marine bacteriocinogenic enterococci strains with inhibitory activity against fish-pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria

Transcriptomic and metabolomic insights into the role of the flgK gene in the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida to orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is the pathogen responsible for visceral white spot disease in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Previously, RNA sequencing showed that P. plecoglossicida flgK gene expression was significantly up-regulated in orange-spotted grouper spleens during infection. To explore the role of flgK in P. plecoglossicida pathogenicity, RNA interference (RNAi) was performed to silence the P. plecoglossicida flgK gene, and the mutant (flgK-RNAi strain) with the best silencing efficiency (89.40%) was chosen for further study. Results showed that flgK gene silencing significantly attenuated P. plecoglossicida motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation. Compared to those fish infected with the wild-type strain of P. plecoglossicida, orange-spotted grouper infected with the flgK-RNAi strain showed a 55% increase in the survival rate and a one-day delay in time of first death, with fewer pathogens in the spleen and fewer white spots on the spleen surface. RNAi of flgK significantly affected the transcriptome and metabolome of the spleen in infected orange-spotted grouper. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that the C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway was the most significantly changed immune-related pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was related to multiple immune-related pathways. Furthermore, arginine biosynthesis and glycerophospholipid metabolism were the most significantly changed metabolism-related pathways. These findings suggest that flgK is a virulence gene of P. plecoglossicida. Furthermore, flgK appears to be involved in the regulation of motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation in P. plecoglossicida, as well as in the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses of orange-spotted grouper to P. plecoglossicida infection.

Copper-induced oxidative stress, transcriptome changes, intestinal microbiota, and histopathology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Copper (Cu) is a common contaminant in aquatic environments, which could cause physiological dysfunction in aquatic organisms. However, few studies have comprehensively examined the impact of copper toxicity in freshwater fish over the past decade. In this research, the oxidative stress, liver transcriptome, intestinal microbiota, and histopathology of common carp (C. carpio) in response to Cu exposure were studied, by exposing juvenile carp to 0.2 mg/ml Cu²⁺ for 30 days. The results revealed that Cu²⁺ could induce significant changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) activity. The changes in antioxidant enzyme activities indicate that Cu can induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. RNA-seq analysis of the liver identified 1069 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after treatment with 2.0 mg/L Cu²⁺. Among the DEGs, 490 genes were upregulated and 579 genes were downregulated. GO functional enrichment analysis revealed that Cu could affect the fatty acid biosynthetic process, carnitine biosynthetic process, and activity of carboxylic acid transmembrane transporter. Meanwhile, the most significantly enriched KEGG pathway also included the lipid metabolism pathway. In addition, Cu²⁺ exposure increased bacterial richness and changed bacterial composition. At the phylum level, we found that the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes was increased in the treatment carps, which can regulate intestinal epithelium function and reduce inflammation and immune responses. At the genus level, the abundances of 11 genera were significantly altered after exposure to Cu²⁺. The altered composition of the microbial community caused by Cu exposure may play a useful role in compensation of the intestinal lesions by Cu exposure. Furthermore, we found that Cu²⁺ exposure could cause histological alterations such as structural damage to the liver and intestines. The results of this research contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms related to Cu toxicity in fish.

In vitro selection of autochthonous bacterium with probiotic potential for the neotropical fish piauçu Megaleporinus microcephalus

ABSTRACT The study aimed to isolate, identify, and apply in vitro tests on bacteria with autochthonous probiotic potential isolated from fifteen healthy specimens of Megaleporinus macrocephalus. The strains were selected from the intestinal tract of fish and inoculated in the Petri plate containing Sharp Man Rogosa Agar (MRS) for (48 hours at 35ºC). They were isolated based on a test of catalase, Gram stain, tolerance to different gradients NaCl (1, 2 and 3%), pH (4, 5, 6, 8 and 9) values and bile salts (2.5 and 5%), in addition to the inhibition zone against pathogens. Of the 42 strains isolated, ST1 and ST9 had higher values (p<0.05) for total viable cells (31.80±0.07 and 32.51±0.05 CFU/mL × 108) respectively. In the resistance tests, strains ST1 and ST9 presented the best results, with emphasis on ST9 in the gradients of pH, high values of bile salts and larger inhibition zones against Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas jandaei. The strains with the best results in the tests, ST1 and ST9, were identified by the MALDI-TOF-MS method as Enterococcus faecium. Thus, the isolated E. faecium bacteria, may be recommended as for probiotic use in farming the M. macrocephalus.

Genome Mining for Antimicrobial Compounds in Wild Marine Animals-Associated Enterococci

New ecosystems are being actively mined for new bioactive compounds. Because of the large amount of unexplored biodiversity, bacteria from marine environments are especially promising. Further, host-associated microbes are of special interest because of their low toxicity and compatibility with host health. Here, we identified and characterized biosynthetic gene clusters encoding antimicrobial compounds in host-associated enterococci recovered from fecal samples of wild marine animals remote from human-affected ecosystems. Putative biosynthetic gene clusters in the genomes of 22 Enterococcus strains of marine origin were predicted using antiSMASH5 and Bagel4 bioinformatic software. At least one gene cluster encoding a putative bioactive compound precursor was identified in each genome. Collectively, 73 putative antimicrobial compounds were identified, including 61 bacteriocins (83.56%), 10 terpenes (13.70%), and 2 (2.74%) related to putative nonribosomal peptides (NRPs). Two of the species studied, Enterococcus avium and Enterococcus mundtti, are rare causes of human disease and were found to lack any known pathogenic determinants but yet possessed bacteriocin biosynthetic genes, suggesting possible additional utility as probiotics. Wild marine animal-associated enterococci from human-remote ecosystems provide a potentially rich source for new antimicrobial compounds of therapeutic and industrial value and potential probiotic application.

Effectiveness of the Use of the Adaptogen Trekrezan in the Cultivation of African Catfish

Growing fish in closed water supply installations with a high planting density leads to accumulation of waste products, turning the habitat into toxic. Growing fish in such an environment leads to stress and increases the stress on their liver, which provides the body with detoxification of metabolites. To reduce stress, adaptogens are used, which increase endurance and survival, increase adaptive plasticity, and strengthen the immunity of fish. We used an adaptogen called Trekrezan. The work aim was to study the morphofunctional changes in liver and its microarchitectonics in African catfish grown using Trekrezan. The analysis of morphofunctional changes in liver allows us to judge the general physiological state of fish body. The liver index of African catfish grown without the use of Trekrezan is significantly higher in both males and females, compared to African catfish grown with Trekrezan, which indicates an intensification of metabolism. Analysis of histological structure of African catfish liver (Clarias gariepinus), grown without the use of the Ttrekrezan, revealed abnormalities of the parenchymal layer of liver with signs of fatty dystrophy, signs of necrotic changes in liver cells, hemorrhages in vascular region, a violation of polarity in the structure of hepatocytes. In species raised in an environment with Trekrezan, these abnormalities are absent, since Trekrezan, due to the activation of cellular and humoral immunity, leads to decrease in intoxication, provides strengthening of immunity, and increases the body's resistance to unfavorable factors of medium.

The effects of the probiotic Subtilis on the peripheral blood system of Clarias gariepinus

The article discusses the prospects for using probiotics in aquaculture. The effect of probiotics on the physiological processes in the body of African catfish grown under artificial breeding is discussed. The effectiveness of using probiotics to increase productivity, improve the gastrointestinal tract of fish, increase non-specific resistance and stress resistance is analyzed. The results of our own research on the use of the probiotic Subtilis, which is currently used in many industries, including fish farming, are presented. The aim of the work was to study the effect of the probiotic subtilis on the erythron system and on the structure of the leukocyte formula of African catfish. Against the background of the probiotic subtilis, the total number of red blood cells in the bloodstream was increasing, and the proportion of immature forms was progressively decreasing. The seasonal dynamics and sexual characteristics of the catfish peripheral blood system were studied with the use of a probiotic. In general, the stimulating effect of the probiotic subtilis on erythropoiesis and the white blood system was found. Analysis of the leukogram of African catfish indicated the activation of the cellular component of the immune system when using a probiotic in feeding. Our results allow us to recommend the use of the probiotic subtilis for the cultivation of African catfish in industrial aquaculture. This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research with the grant 18-016-00127.

Enterococci: Between Emerging Pathogens and Potential Probiotics

Enterococci are ubiquitous microorganisms that could be found everywhere; in water, plant, soil, foods, and gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. They were previously used as starters in food fermentation due to their biotechnological traits (enzymatic and proteolytic activities) or protective cultures in food biopreservation due to their produced antimicrobial bacteriocins called enterocins or as probiotics, live cells with different beneficial characteristics such as stimulation of immunity, anti-inflammatory activity, hypocholesterolemic effect, and prevention/treatment of some diseases. However, in the last years, the use of enterococci in foods or as probiotics caused an important debate because of their opportunistic pathogenicity implicated in several nosocomial infections due to virulence factors and antibiotic resistance, particularly the emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. These virulence traits of some enterococci are associated with genetic transfer mechanisms. Therefore, the development of new enterococcal probiotics needs a strict assessment with regard to safety aspects for selecting the truly harmless enterococcal strains for safe applications. This review tries to give some data of the different points of view about this question.

Safety, potential biotechnological and probiotic properties of bacteriocinogenic Enterococcus lactis strains isolated from raw shrimps

The aims of this study are to isolate new bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacterial strains from white (Penaeus vannamei) and pink (Palaemon serratus) raw shrimps and evaluate their technological and probiotic potentialities. Seven strains were selected, among fifty active isolates, as producing interesting antimicrobial activity. Identified as Enterococcus lactis, these isolates were able to produce enterocins A, B and/or P. The safety aspect, assessed by microbiological and molecular tests, demonstrated that the strains were susceptible to relevant antibiotics such as vancomycin, negative for haemolysin and gelatinase activities, and did not harbour virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. The assessment of potential probiotic and technological properties showed a low or no lipolytic activity, moderate milk-acidifying ability, high reducing power, proteolytic activity and tolerance to bile (P < 0.05) and good autoaggregation and coaggregation capacities. Two strains designated as CQ and C43 exhibiting high enzymatic activities and bile salt hydrolase activity were found to display high survival under simulated in vitro oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract conditions caused by presence of lysozyme, pepsin, pancreatin, bile salts and acidic pH. This study highlights safe Enterococcus lactis strains with great technological and probiotic potentials for future application as new starter, adjunct, protective or probiotic cultures in food industry.

Enterococcus, Myroides Y Exiguobacterium: GÉNEROS BACTERIANOS CON POTENCIAL PROBIÓTICO PARA EL CULTIVO DE TILAPIA NILÓTICA (Oreochromis niloticus)

Se aislaron 120 morfotipos bacterianos de intestino de tilapia y se seleccionaron según su actividad antibacteriana contra patógenos como Aeromonas hydrophila, Streptococcus agalactiae y Edwardsiella tarda, su capacidad de adherencia a mucus intestinal y cinética de crecimiento. Las bacterias seleccionadas se identificaron mediante secuenciación de 16S rRNA y se identificaron como Exigobacterium sp. I9, Enterococcus faecalis I15 y Myroides odoratimimus I19. Además, se evaluó su efecto in vivo sobre el crecimiento de los peces, mediante su adición al alimento de juveniles de Oreochromis niloticus (106 UFC / g, por 15 días). Se determinó la supervivencia luego de un desafío experimental con Edwardsiella tarda por inyección intraperitoneal (100 µL 105 UFC / mL). Las tres bacterias seleccionadas incrementaron la tasa de crecimiento específica, redujeron la mortalidad de los peces durante el desafío experimental con E. tarda y no causaron mortalidad durante la adición en el alimento. Los efectos positivos in vivo se relacionan posiblemente con actividad in vitro; sin embargo, por motivos de bioseguridad se recomienda efectuar estudios posteriores a Exigobacterium sp. I9y E. faecalis I15 dado que se han reportado miembros de este género como causantes de mortalidad en peces, mientras que en el caso de M. odoratimimus I19, es necesario efectuar futuros estudios para verificar su actividad positiva a mayor escala productiva.

The advancement of probiotics research and its application in fish farming industries

Fish are always susceptible to a variety of lethal diseases caused by different types of bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic agents. The unscientific management practises such as, over feeding, high stock densities and destructive fishing techniques increase the probability of disease symptoms in aquaculture industries. According to Food and Agriculture Association (FAO), each and every year several countries such as China, India, Norway, Indonesia, etc. face a huge loss in aquaculture production due to mainly bacterial and viral diseases. The use of antibiotics is a common practise in fish farming sectors to control the disease outbreak. However, the antibiotics are not long term friend because it creates selective pressure for emergence of drug resistant bacteria. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer several beneficial effects to host (enhances immunity, helps in digestion, protects from pathogens, improves water quality, promotes growth and reproduction) and can be used as an alternative of antibiotics. In recent year, a wide range of bacteria have reported as potential probiotics candidates in fish farming sectors, however, Lactobacillus sp. and Bacillus sp. gain special attention due to their high antagonistic activities, extracellular enzyme production and availability. In this present review, we have summarized the recent advancement in aquaculture probiotics research and its impact on fish health, nutrition, immunity, reproduction and water quality.