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Filek K, Vuković BB, Žižek M, Kanjer L, Trotta A, Di Bello A, Corrente M, Bosak S. Loggerhead Sea Turtles as Hosts of Diverse Bacterial and Fungal Communities. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:79. [PMID: 38814337 PMCID: PMC11139726 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02388-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Research on microbial communities associated with wild animals provides a valuable reservoir of knowledge that could be used for enhancing their rehabilitation and conservation. The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a globally distributed species with its Mediterranean population categorized as least concern according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a result of robust conservation efforts. In our study, we aimed to further understand their biology in relation to their associated microorganisms. We investigated epi- and endozoic bacterial and endozoic fungal communities of cloaca, oral mucosa, carapace biofilm. Samples obtained from 18 juvenile, subadult, and adult turtles as well as 8 respective enclosures, over a 3-year period, were analysed by amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 region of nuclear ribosomal gene. Our results reveal a trend of decreasing diversity of distal gut bacterial communities with the age of turtles. Notably, Tenacibaculum species show higher relative abundance in juveniles than in adults. Differential abundances of taxa identified as Tenacibaculum, Moraxellaceae, Cardiobacteriaceae, and Campylobacter were observed in both cloacal and oral samples in addition to having distinct microbial compositions with Halioglobus taxa present only in oral samples. Fungal communities in loggerheads' cloaca were diverse and varied significantly among individuals, differing from those of tank water. Our findings expand the known microbial diversity repertoire of loggerhead turtles, highlighting interesting taxa specific to individual body sites. This study provides a comprehensive view of the loggerhead sea turtle bacterial microbiota and marks the first report of distal gut fungal communities that contributes to establishing a baseline understanding of loggerhead sea turtle holobiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Filek
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Borna Branimir Vuković
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marta Žižek
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lucija Kanjer
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adriana Trotta
- Campus Universitario, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, BA, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Bello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. Per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Marialaura Corrente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. Per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Sunčica Bosak
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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2
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Inurria A, Suárez-Pérez A, Calabuig P, Orós J. Citrobacter freundii-associated lesions in stranded loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta). Vet Pathol 2024; 61:140-144. [PMID: 37377060 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231183983] [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] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Citrobacter freundii, an opportunistic bacterial pathogen belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, has been sporadically reported in sea turtles. Here, the authors describe 3 unusual lesions associated with C. freundii infection in 3 loggerhead sea turtles stranded on the coast of Gran Canaria Island, Spain. It is possible that these 3 distinct lesions played a major role in the death of these turtles. The first turtle had caseous cholecystitis, a lesion not previously described in sea turtles. The second turtle had large intestinal diverticulitis, a rare condition in loggerheads. The third turtle had bilateral caseous salt gland adenitis. Histologically, numerous gram-negative bacilli were observed at the deepest edge of inflammation in all cases. Pure cultures of C. freundii were obtained from these 3 lesions. Molecular detection of C. freundii DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from the lesions of the 3 turtles confirmed the microbiological isolation. These cases, in addition to expanding the limited body of knowledge on bacterial infections in sea turtles, highlight the potential pathogenic role of C. freundii in loggerhead turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Inurria
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Arucas, Spain
| | - Alejandro Suárez-Pérez
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Arucas, Spain
- AnimalLab, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Pascual Calabuig
- Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Jorge Orós
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Arucas, Spain
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Glassman AR, Zachariah TT. RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF BLOOD CULTURES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH CLINICAL FINDINGS AND OUTCOME IN GREEN SEA TURTLES ( CHELONIA MYDAS) AT A FLORIDA SEA TURTLE REHABILITATION FACILITY, 2017-2020. J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 54:766-775. [PMID: 38252000 DOI: 10.1638/2022-0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Septicemia is commonly suspected of sea turtles entering rehabilitation. However, blood culture results of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are infrequently reported in the literature. Aerobic blood cultures were performed for intake examinations of 167 green sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation at Brevard Zoo's Sea Turtle Healing Center, Melbourne, Florida, USA from 2017 to 2020. The incidence of positive cultures during intake examinations was 24% (40/167). The most common bacterial isolates identified were Vibrio alginolyticus, Shewanella algae, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Photobacterium damselae, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. There was a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between culture status and evidence of external injury. There was no significant association between culture status and Caryospora-like coccidia infection, or fibropapillomatosis. Culture-positive turtles had significantly lower (P < 0.05) total white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte, total protein, albumin, and calculated globulin values compared to turtles with negative blood cultures. Significantly more culture-positive turtles died in rehabilitation compared to culture-negative (P = 0.042). Positive blood cultures suggestive of septicemia are commonly found during intake examinations at a Florida sea turtle rehabilitation facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Glassman
- Department of Veterinary Programs, Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, FL 32940, USA,
| | - Trevor T Zachariah
- Department of Veterinary Programs, Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, FL 32940, USA
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Capri FC, Prazzi E, Casamento G, Gambino D, Cassata G, Alduina R. Correlation Between Microbial Community and Hatching Failure in Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:1923-1933. [PMID: 36805785 PMCID: PMC10497424 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities provide essential information about host ecology and could be helpful as a tool to improve species conservation efforts. However, microbes can also infect and compromise the host development process and viability. Caretta caretta is the most widespread marine turtle species in the Mediterranean basin and is the only species of sea turtle nesting along the Italian coasts. Little is known about the microbiota composition of the nest of sea turtles and its correlation with hatching failures. In this study, the microbial composition of two nests of C. caretta featuring different rates of hatching success from a nesting beach in Lampedusa (Italy) was analyzed and compared. The bacterial community was determined using culture-dependent methods and next-generation sequencing based on 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding analysis. Our results showed five dominant bacterial phyla (Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Firmicutes) and indicated different bacterial families (Pseudomonadaceae and Brucellaceae) as likely causes of hatching failures. Besides, our findings demonstrated the nests' active role in modulating the sand's bacterial communities. This study suggests microbiological analysis could be a valuable tool in monitoring nests to take preventive actions and reduce hatching failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Claire Capri
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Viale delle Scienze, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Elena Prazzi
- Legambiente Sicilia-Ente Gestore Riserva Naturale Orientata Isola di Lampedusa, Via Vittorio Emanuele, 25, 92031 Lampedusa, AG Italy
| | - Giulia Casamento
- Legambiente Sicilia-Ente Gestore Riserve Naturali, via Paolo Gili,4, 90138 Palermo, PA Italy
| | - Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cassata
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Alduina
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Viale delle Scienze, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
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Short FS, Lôbo-Hajdu G, Guimarães SM, Laport MS, Silva R. Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria from Free-Living Green Turtles ( Chelonia mydas). Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1268. [PMID: 37627688 PMCID: PMC10451770 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioindicator species are used to assess the damage and magnitude of possible impacts of anthropic origin on the environment, such as the reckless consumption of antimicrobials. Chelonia mydas has several characteristics that make it a suitable bioindicator of marine pollution and of the presence of pathogens that cause diseases in humans. This study aimed to investigate the green sea turtle as a reservoir of resistant bacteria, mainly because C. mydas is the most frequent sea turtle species in Brazilian coastal regions and, consequently, under the intense impact of anthropic factors. Free-living green sea turtles ranging from 42.8 to 92 cm (average = 60.7 cm) were captured from Itaipú Beach, Brazil. Cloaca samples (characterizing the gastrointestinal tract) and neck samples (representing the transient microbiota) were collected. Bacterial species were identified, and their was resistance associated with the antimicrobials cephalothin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and vancomycin. Citrobacter braaki, Klebsiella oxytoca, K. variicola and Proteus mirabilis were found resistant to cephalothin and Morganella morganii and Enterococcus faecalis tetracycline-resistant isolates in cloaca samples. In neck samples, species resistant to tetracycline were Salmonella sp., Serratia marcescens, S. ureylitica and Proteus mirabilis. This data reinforces that the green turtle is a bioindicator of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda S. Short
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil;
| | - Gisele Lôbo-Hajdu
- Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil;
| | - Suzana M. Guimarães
- Projeto Aruanã, Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais Littoralis, Rio de Janeiro 24320-330, Brazil;
| | - Marinella S. Laport
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil;
| | - Rosane Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil;
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Ebani VV. Bacterial Infections in Sea Turtles. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050333. [PMID: 37235416 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea turtles are important for the maintenance of marine and beach ecosystems, but they are seriously endangered due to factors mainly related to human activities and climate change such as pollution, temperature increase, and predation. Infectious and parasitic diseases may contribute to reducing the number of sea turtles. Bacteria are widespread in marine environments and, depending on the species, may act as primary or opportunistic pathogens. Most of them are able to infect other animal species, including humans, in which they can cause mild or severe diseases. Therefore, direct or indirect contact of humans with sea turtles, their products, and environment where they live represent a One Health threat. Chlamydiae, Mycobacteria, and Salmonellae are known zoonotic agents able to cause mild or severe diseases in sea turtles, other animals, and humans. However, other bacteria that are potentially zoonotic, including those that are antimicrobially resistant, are involved in different pathologies of marine turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Suárez-Pérez A, Corbera JA, González-Martín M, Tejedor-Junco MT. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from chicks of Canarian Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus majorensis): A "one health" problem? Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 92:101925. [PMID: 36525767 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from cloacal samples of chicks of Canarian Egyptian vultures was investigated. Prevalence of Salmonella was also studied. Forty-seven isolates, obtained from 23 animals, were analysed. Escherichia coli (n = 29), Proteus mirabilis (n = 17) and Salmonella spp. (n = 1) were identified using API 20E system. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 13 antibiotics included in nine different categories was determined using disk-diffusion technique. The higher percentages of susceptible E. coli isolates were found for aminoglycosides and cefoxitin, and the lower ones were found for ampicillin, enrofloxacin and tetracycline. Proteus mirabilis isolates were susceptible to most of antimicrobials tested. Multidrug resistance patterns were found in 13 E. coli and four Proteus mirabilis. Salmonella spp. was detected in one chick (4.37%), and the isolate was also resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline. Thirteen E. coli isolates and four Proteus isolates showed a multidrug-resistance pattern, being resistant at least to one antibiotic in three or more different antimicrobial categories. This high level of antibiotic resistance in chickens of an endangered bird may be a limitation for possible treatments of infections in this species, as well as representing a source of resistant bacteria for animal care staff and for other animals in wildlife recovery centres. A "One Health" approach to this problem is necessary to reduce the levels of antimicrobial resistance in wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Suárez-Pérez
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Producción Animal, Bromatología y Tecnología de los Alimentos. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Juan Alberto Corbera
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Producción Animal, Bromatología y Tecnología de los Alimentos. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Margarita González-Martín
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - María Teresa Tejedor-Junco
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
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Kuschke SG. What lives on and in the sea turtle? A literature review of sea turtle bacterial microbiota. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:52. [PMID: 36076281 PMCID: PMC9461204 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00202-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the United States, all populations of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Identifying methods of supporting health, preventing disease, and treating disease is essential for conservation and management strategies for all species. Over the last few decades, advances in technology and high throughput sequencing have allowed a proliferation of research into core microbiota and microbiomes in humans and animals. Such investigations have proven that microbiota on and within a host can influence physiology, immunity, and development. Accordingly, a comprehensive understanding of microbiota is essential for unearthing the complex relationships within a microbiome and how those interactions and relationships can be used to promote health and prevent or treat disease. The goal of this review is to summarize the current microbiota research available across all species of sea turtles and identify any emerging trends. Methodological differences made it challenging to draw conclusions across studies, but it is apparent that each anatomical location investigated has a unique core microbiota with some potential overlap. In the future, unifying methodology across microbiota studies will allow broader conclusions to be drawn across all anatomic locations and species of sea turtles. These conclusions will then allow clinicians and conservationists to apply the research results in the field. Additionally, future efforts should include a wider range of organisms including fungi, viruses, parasites, epibiota, and archaea to unveil essential relationships among and between the organisms and host for maintenance of a healthy microbiome.
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Mengistu TS, Garcias B, Castellanos G, Seminati C, Molina-López RA, Darwich L. Occurrence of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria and resistance genes in semi-aquatic wildlife - Trachemys scripta, Neovison vison and Lutra lutra - as sentinels of environmental health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 830:154814. [PMID: 35341839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial pathogens has been recognized as a major public health concern worldwide. In the present study, antimicrobial resistant Gram-negative bacteria (AMRGNB) and AMR genes were assessed in semi-aquatic wild animals from a highly populated and intensive farming region of Spain, Catalonia. Cloacal/rectal swab samples were collected from 241 animals coming from invasive species Trachemys scripta (n = 91) and Neovison vison (n = 131), and endangered-protected species Lutra lutra (n = 19). Accordingly, 133 (55.2%) isolates were identified as AMRGNB. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens were among the bacteria most frequently isolated in all animal species, but other nosocomial agents such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella spp. or Citrobacter freundii, were also prevalent. The phenotypic susceptibility testing showed the highest resistance to β-lactams (91%). Molecular analysis showed 25.3% of turtles (15.4% ESBL/Ampc genes), 21% of Eurasian otters (10.5% ESBL/Ampc genes) and 14.5% of American minks (8.4% ESBL/Ampc genes) were positive to AMR genes. The genotyping frequency was tetM (20.6%), blaCMY-2 (13%), ermB (6.1%), blaCMY-1 (4.6%), blaCTX-M-15 (3.1%) and mcr-4 (0.8%). Turtles had a larger prevalence of AMRGNB and AMR genes than mustelids, but American mink carried mcr-4 colistin-resistance gene. Moreover, cluster analysis of AMR gene distribution revealed that an ESBL/AmpC cluster in a highly populated area comprising big metropolitan regions, and another tetM/emrB cluster in an expended area with highly intensive livestock production. Although the mcr-4 positive case was not included in those clusters, that case was found in a county with a high pig farm density. In conclusion, semi-aquatic wild animals are a good sentinel for environmental contamination with AMRGNB and AMR genes. Therefore, One Health Approach is urgently needed in highly populated regions, and with intensive livestock production like Catalonia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biel Garcias
- Department Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, CP 08193, Spain.
| | - Gabriela Castellanos
- Department Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, CP 08193, Spain.
| | - Chiara Seminati
- Department Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, CP 08193, Spain.
| | | | - Laila Darwich
- Department Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, CP 08193, Spain.
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Blasi MF, Avino P, Notardonato I, Di Fiore C, Mattei D, Gauger MFW, Gelippi M, Cicala D, Hochscheid S, Camedda A, de Lucia GA, Favero G. Phthalate esters (PAEs) concentration pattern reflects dietary habitats (δ 13C) in blood of Mediterranean loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 239:113619. [PMID: 35605320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are classified as endocrine disruptors, but it remains unclear if they can enter the marine food-web and result in severe health effects for organisms. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) can be chronically exposed to PAEs by ingesting plastic debris, but no information is available about PAEs levels in blood, and how these concentrations are related to diet during different life stages. This paper investigated, for the first time, six PAEs in blood of 18 wild-caught Mediterranean loggerhead turtles throughout solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography-ion trap/mass spectrometry. Stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen were also performed to assess the resource use pattern of loggerhead turtles. DEHP (12-63 ng mL-1) and DBP (6-57 ng mL-1) were the most frequently represented PAEs, followed by DiBP, DMP, DEP and DOP. The total PAEs concentration was highest in three turtles (124-260 ng mL-1) whereas three other turtles had concentrations below the detection limit. PAEs were clustered in three groups according to concentration in all samples: DEHP in the first group, DBP, DEP, and DiBP in the second group, and DOP and DMP in the third group. The total phthalates concentration did not differ between large-sized (96.3 ± 86.0 ng mL-1) and small-sized (67.1 ± 34.2 ng mL-1) turtles (p < 0.001). However, DMP and DEP were found only in large-sized turtles and DiBP and DBP had higher concentrations in large-sized turtles. On the other hand, DEHP and DOP were found in both small- and large-sized turtles with similar concentrations, i.e. ~ 21.0/32.0 ng mL-1 and ~ 7.1/9.9 ng mL-1, respectively. Winsored robust models indicated that δ13C is a good predictor for DBP and DiBP concentrations (significant Akaike Information criterion weight, AICwt). Our results indicate that blood is a good matrix to evaluate acute exposure to PAEs in marine turtles. Moreover, this approach is here suggested as a useful tool to explain the internal dose of PAEs in term of dietary habits (δ13C), suggesting that all marine species at high trophic levels may be particularly exposed to PAEs, despite their different dietary habitats and levels of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Francesca Blasi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, RM, Italy; Dipartimento Ambiente e Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, RM, Italy; Filicudi WildLife Conservation, Via Stimpagnato Filicudi, Lipari 98055, ME, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Avino
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso I-86100, Italy
| | - Ivan Notardonato
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso I-86100, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Fiore
- Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso I-86100, Italy
| | - Daniela Mattei
- Dipartimento Ambiente e Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, RM, Italy
| | | | - Michelle Gelippi
- Filicudi WildLife Conservation, Via Stimpagnato Filicudi, Lipari 98055, ME, Italy
| | - Davide Cicala
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology - University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Hochscheid
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Nuova Macello 16, Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Andrea Camedda
- IAS-CNR Institute of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council Oristano Section, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, OR 09170, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Andrea de Lucia
- IAS-CNR Institute of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in Marine Environment, National Research Council Oristano Section, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, OR 09170, Italy
| | - Gabriele Favero
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, RM, Italy
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Vecchioni L, Pace A, Sucato A, Berlinghieri F, Cambera I, Visconti G, Hochscheid S, Arculeo M, Alduina R. Unveiling the egg microbiota of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta in nesting beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268345. [PMID: 35617269 PMCID: PMC9135217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes have central roles in the development and health of animals, being the introduction of specific microbial species a potential conservation strategy to protect animals from emerging diseases. Thus, insight into the microbiota of the species and their habitats is essential. In this manuscript, we report for the first time the bacterial composition of all the components (eggshells of hatched and unhatched eggs, internal content of unhatched eggs, intestinal content of hatchling and pipping sea turtles, and sand) of three nesting beaches of Caretta caretta along the Italian coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. The analysis of 26 amplicon samples was carried out using next-generation sequencing analysis, targeting V3–V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Samples featured mainly Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, whose percentages depended on the sample type. Our results showed that, although from different sampling sites, the internal content of the unhatched eggs, intestinal content of hatchling and pipping sea turtles share the microbiota, which was yet different from that of eggshells and sand of the same nesting beach. This study suggests the maternal and environmental influence alongside a protective role of eggshells in shaping the egg microbiota of Caretta caretta sea turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Vecchioni
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Pace
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Marine Turtle Research Group, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Arianna Sucato
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Flavia Berlinghieri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Irene Cambera
- Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area, Municipality of Lampedusa and Linosa, Agrigento, Italy
| | - Giulia Visconti
- Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area, Municipality of Lampedusa and Linosa, Agrigento, Italy
| | - Sandra Hochscheid
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Marine Turtle Research Group, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Alduina
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Pace A, Vicari N, Rigamonti S, Magnino S, Borrelli L, Dipineto L, Fioretti A, Hochscheid S, Tavares L, Duarte A. Detection of Chlamydial DNA from Mediterranean Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Southern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060715. [PMID: 35327112 PMCID: PMC8944518 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that include pathogens of human and veterinary importance. Several reptiles were reported to host chlamydial agents, but pathogenicity in these animals still needs clarification. Given that only one report of chlamydiosis was described in sea turtles, and that chlamydiae might also be detected in hosts without clinical signs, the current study examined asymptomatic Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles for the presence of chlamydial DNA. Twenty loggerhead sea turtles, rehabilitated at the Marine Turtle Research Centre (Portici, Italy), were examined collecting ocular-conjunctival, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs. Samples were processed through quantitative and conventional PCR analyses to identify Chlamydiales and Chlamydiaceae, with particular attention to C. pecorum, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, and C. trachomatis. Although it was not possible to determine the species of chlamydiae involved, the detection of chlamydial DNA from the collected samples suggests that these microorganisms might act as opportunistic pathogens, and underlines the role of sea turtles as potential carriers. This study highlights the presence of chlamydial agents in sea turtles, and encourages further research to fully characterize these microorganisms, in order to improve the management of the health and conservation of these endangered species, and prevent potential zoonotic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Pace
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80055 Portici, Italy;
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (L.B.); (L.D.); (A.F.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Nadia Vicari
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Chlamydioses, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Sede Territoriale di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (N.V.); (S.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Sara Rigamonti
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Chlamydioses, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Sede Territoriale di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (N.V.); (S.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Simone Magnino
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Chlamydioses, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Sede Territoriale di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (N.V.); (S.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Luca Borrelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (L.B.); (L.D.); (A.F.)
| | - Ludovico Dipineto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (L.B.); (L.D.); (A.F.)
| | - Alessandro Fioretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (L.B.); (L.D.); (A.F.)
| | - Sandra Hochscheid
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Luís Tavares
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (L.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Ana Duarte
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (L.T.); (A.D.)
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Gambino D, Savoca D, Sucato A, Gargano V, Gentile A, Pantano L, Vicari D, Alduina R. Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Mediterranean Sea. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11030332. [PMID: 35326795 PMCID: PMC8944634 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11030332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Seawater could be considered a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. In this communication, we evaluated the presence of bacterial strains in seawater collected from different coasts of Sicily by combining microbiological and molecular methods. Specifically, we isolated viable bacteria that were tested for their antibiotic resistance profile and detected both antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes. Both antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, Vibrio and Aeromonas, and specific antibiotic resistance genes were found in the seawater samples. Alarming levels of resistance were determined towards cefazolin, streptomycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and mainly genes conferring resistance to β-lactamic and sulfonamide antibiotics were detected. This survey, on the one hand, presents a picture of the actual situation, showing the pollution status of the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily, and, on the other hand, can be considered as a baseline to be used as a reference time for future analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Dario Savoca
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90028 Palermo, Italy; (D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Arianna Sucato
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90028 Palermo, Italy; (D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Valeria Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (R.A.)
| | - Antonino Gentile
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Licia Pantano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Rosa Alduina
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90028 Palermo, Italy; (D.S.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (R.A.)
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Antimicrobial Resistance in Loggerhead Sea Turtles ( Caretta caretta): A Comparison between Clinical and Commensal Bacterial Isolates. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082435. [PMID: 34438892 PMCID: PMC8388645 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gram negative organisms are frequently isolated from Caretta caretta and may contribute to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, commensal bacteria isolated from oral and cloacal samples of 98 healthy C. caretta were compared to clinical isolates isolated from the wounds of 102 injured animals, in order to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance bacteria in free-living loggerheads from the Adriatic Sea. A total of 410 bacteria were cultured and differences were noted in the isolated genera, as some of them were isolated only in healthy animals, while others were isolated only from injured animals. When tested for susceptibility to antimicrobials, clinical isolates showed highly significant differences in the antimicrobial resistance rates vs. commensal isolates for all the drugs tested, except for doxycycline. The detection of high antimicrobial resistance rates in loggerhead sea turtles is of clinical and microbiological significance since it impacts both the choice of a proper antibiotic therapy and the implementation of conservation programs. Abstract Gram negative organisms are frequently isolated from Caretta caretta turtles, which can act as reservoir species for resistant microorganisms in the aquatic environment. C. caretta, which have no history of treatment with antimicrobials, are useful sentinel species for resistant microbes. In this culture-based study, commensal bacteria isolated from oral and cloacal samples of 98 healthy C. caretta were compared to clinical isolates from the wounds of 102 injured animals, in order to investigate the presence of AMR bacteria in free-living loggerheads from the Adriatic Sea. A total of 410 isolates were cultured. Escherichia coli and genera such as Serratia, Moraxella, Kluyvera, Salmonella were isolated only in healthy animals, while Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Morganella were isolated only from the wounds of the injured animals. When tested for susceptibility to ampicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, gentamicin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin, the clinical isolates showed highly significant differences in AMR rates vs. commensal isolates for all the drugs tested, except for doxycycline. The detection of high AMR rates in loggerheads is of clinical and microbiological significance since it impacts both the choice of a proper antibiotic therapy and the implementation of conservation programs.
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Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile and Tetracycline Resistance Genes Detection in Salmonella spp. Strains Isolated from Animals and Food. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10070809. [PMID: 34356729 PMCID: PMC8300615 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10070809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella spp. is among the leading causes of foodborne infections in humans and a large number of animals. Salmonella spp. is a pathogen involved in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance because it can accumulate antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, the antibiotic resistance profile to 15 antibiotics, belonging to six different classes, of 60 strains of Salmonella spp. collected from pets, farm animals, wildlife, and food in Sicily (Italy) was investigated by the Kirby-Bauer method. Given that almost 33.3% of the Salmonella spp. strains were resistant to tetracycline, Real-Time PCR analysis was applied on all the 60 strains to detect the presence of eight selected tet resistance genes. Besides, the presence of the int1 gene, related to the horizontal gene transfer among bacteria, was also investigated in all the strains by Real-Time PCR analysis. Our data showed that 56% of the isolated strains harbored one or more tet resistance genes and that these strains were most frequently isolated from animals living in close contact with humans. Concerning int1, 17 strains (28.3%) harbored this genetic element and eight of these simultaneously contained tet genes. The results of this study highlight the importance of using a molecular approach to detect resistance genetic determinants, whose spread can increase the diffusion of multidrug-resistant strains. Besides, the study of zoonotic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. which significantly contribute to ARGs dissemination should always follow a One Health approach that considers the health of humans, animals, and the environment to be closely related.
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Fernandes M, Grilo ML, Carneiro C, Cunha E, Tavares L, Patino-Martinez J, Oliveira M. Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Profiles of Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Loggerhead Sea Turtles ( Caretta caretta) of the Island of Maio, Cape Verde. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10070771. [PMID: 34202799 PMCID: PMC8300689 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10070771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies revealed high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), describing this species as prime reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to characterise, for the first time, the AMR and virulence profiles of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from 33 nesting loggerhead turtles of the island of Maio, Cape Verde. Cloacal, oral, and egg content swab samples (n = 99) were collected and analysed using conventional bacteriological techniques. Shewanella putrefaciens, Morganella morganii, and Vibrio alginolyticus were isolated from the samples under study. The isolates obtained from this loggerhead subpopulation (North-East Atlantic) revealed lower levels of AMR, compared with the results of studies performed in other subpopulations (e.g., Mediterranean). However, the detection of resistance to carbapenems and multiple antimicrobial resistance indices higher than 0.20, raises concern about the potential association of these animals to points of high antimicrobial exposure. Furthermore, virulence phenotypic characterisation revealed that the isolates presented complex virulence profiles, including the ability to produce biofilms. Finally, due to their pathogenic potential, and considering the evidence of illegal consumption of turtle-related products on the island of Maio, the identified bacteria may represent a significant threat to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Fernandes
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.); (M.L.G.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
- Veterinários Sem Fronteiras, Av. Da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel L. Grilo
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.); (M.L.G.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Carla Carneiro
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.); (M.L.G.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.); (M.L.G.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.); (M.L.G.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Juan Patino-Martinez
- Maio Biodiversity Foundation (FMB), Cidade Porto Inglês, Ilha do Maio 6110, Cape Verde;
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.F.); (M.L.G.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-213602052
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Chuen-Im T, Sawetsuwannakun K, Neesanant P, Kitkumthorn N. Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Green Turtle ( Chelonia mydas) Rearing Seawater. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061841. [PMID: 34205685 PMCID: PMC8235308 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Sea Turtle Conservation Center of Thailand (STCCT) has conducted an early intervention program for conservation and faced high mortality rates due to bacterial diseases. Our previous investigation of juvenile turtle carcasses and sea water in the turtle hold tanks implied an association between bacterial isolates in rearing water and infection in captive turtles. In this study, for a management plan of juvenile sea turtles with bacterial infection, we monitored antibiotic resistance of bacteria in seawater from juvenile green turtle holding tanks at STCCT in three periods: January 2015 to April 2016, January to April 2018, and January to April 2019. The results clearly indicated that numbers of resistant bacteria and antibiotics were increased. Assessment of resistance against ten antibiotics revealed high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to the beta-lactam class (ampicillin, penicillin, and cefazolin), whereas low resistant isolate numbers were found to aminoglycosides. From the results of this study, we suggest that antibiotic-resistant bacterial assessment in sea turtle rearing seawater will provide important information for the treatment of bacteria-infected sea turtles in husbandry. Abstract Antibiotic resistance of microorganisms is a serious health problem for both humans and animals. Infection of these bacteria may result in therapy failure, leading to high mortality rates. During an early intervention program process, the Sea Turtle Conservation Center of Thailand (STCCT) has faced high mortality rates due to bacterial infection. Previously, investigation of juvenile turtle carcasses found etiological agents in tissue lesions. Further determination of sea water in the turtle holding tanks revealed a prevalence of these causative agents in water samples, implying association of bacterial isolates in rearing water and infection in captive turtles. In this study, we examined the antibiotic resistance of bacteria in seawater from the turtle holding tank for a management plan of juvenile turtles with bacterial infection. The examination was carried out in three periods: 2015 to 2016, 2018, and 2019. The highest isolate numbers were resistant to beta-lactam, whilst low aminoglycoside resistance rates were observed. No gentamicin-resistant isolate was detected. Seventy-nine isolates (71.17%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Consideration of resistant bacterial and antibiotic numbers over three sampling periods indicated increased risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to sea turtle health. Essentially, this study emphasizes the importance of antibiotic-resistant bacterial assessment in rearing seawater for sea turtle husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanaporn Chuen-Im
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand;
- Correspondence:
| | - Korapan Sawetsuwannakun
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand;
| | - Pimmnapar Neesanant
- 2/4 Suan Duang Pohn Village, Bang Khanun, Bang Kruai, Nonthaburi 11130, Thailand;
| | - Nakarin Kitkumthorn
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
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Tsai MA, Chang CC, Li TH. Antimicrobial-resistance profiles of gram-negative bacteria isolated from green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Taiwan. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 277:116870. [PMID: 33714128 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is listed as a globally endangered species and is vulnerable to anthropogenic threats, including environmental pollution. This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from wild green turtles admitted to a sea turtle rehabilitation center in Taiwan. For this investigation, cloacal and nasal swab samples were collected from 28 green turtles between 2018 and 2020, from which a total of 47 Gram-negative bacterial isolates were identified. Among these, Vibrio spp. were the most dominant isolate (31.91%), and 89.36% of the 47 isolates showed resistance to at least one of 18 antimicrobial agents tested. Isolates resistant to one (6.38%), two (8.51%), and multiple (74.47%) antimicrobials were observed. The antimicrobial agents to which isolates showed the greatest resistance were penicillin (74.47%), followed by spiramycin, amoxicillin, and cephalexin. The antimicrobial-resistance profiles identified in this study provide useful information for the clinical treatment of sea turtles in rehabilitation facilities. The results of our study also imply that wild green turtles may be exposed to polluting effluents containing antimicrobials when the turtles traverse migratory corridors or forage in feeding habitats. To benefit sea turtle conservation, future research should focus on (1) how to prevent pollution from antimicrobials in major green turtle activity areas and (2) identifying sources of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains in coastal waters of Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-An Tsai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan; International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Science and Technology, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan.
| | - Chao-Chin Chang
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Hsien Li
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Checheng, Pingtung, 94450, Taiwan.
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Sciortino S, Arculeo P, Alio V, Cardamone C, Nicastro L, Arculeo M, Alduina R, Costa A. Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Arcobacter spp. Recovered from Aquatic Environments. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10030288. [PMID: 33802125 PMCID: PMC7998538 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Arcobacter spp. are emerging waterborne and foodborne zoonotic pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis in humans. In this work, we evaluated the occurrence and the antimicrobial resistance profile of Arcobacter isolates recovered from different aquatic sources. Besides, we searched for Arcobacter spp. in seaweeds and the corresponding seawater samples. Bacteriological and molecular methods applied to 100 samples led to the isolation of 28 Arcobacter isolates from 27 samples. The highest prevalence was detected in rivers followed by artificial ponds, streams, well waters, and spring waters. Seaweeds contained a higher percentage of Arcobacter than the corresponding seawater samples. The isolates were identified as Arcobacter butzleri (96.4%) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (3.6%). All the isolates showed a multi-drug resistance profile, being resistant to at least three different classes of antibiotics. Molecular analysis of genetic determinants responsible for tetracycline resistance in nine randomly chosen isolates revealed the presence of tetO and/or tetW. This work confirms the occurrence and the continuous emergence of antibiotic-resistant Arcobacter strains in environmental samples; also, the presence of quinolone-resistant Arcobacter spp. in aquatic sources used for water supply and irrigation represents a potential risk for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Sciortino
- Food Microbiology Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (P.A.); (V.A.); (C.C.); (L.N.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Pietro Arculeo
- Food Microbiology Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (P.A.); (V.A.); (C.C.); (L.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Vincenzina Alio
- Food Microbiology Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (P.A.); (V.A.); (C.C.); (L.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Cinzia Cardamone
- Food Microbiology Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (P.A.); (V.A.); (C.C.); (L.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Luisa Nicastro
- Food Microbiology Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (P.A.); (V.A.); (C.C.); (L.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Rosa Alduina
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Bd. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Antonella Costa
- Food Microbiology Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (P.A.); (V.A.); (C.C.); (L.N.); (A.C.)
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A Comparative Analysis of Aquatic and Polyethylene-Associated Antibiotic-Resistant Microbiota in the Mediterranean Sea. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10030200. [PMID: 33800749 PMCID: PMC8001005 DOI: 10.3390/biology10030200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the microbiome and the resistome profile of water and fragments of polyethylene (PE) waste collected at the same time from a stream and the seawater in a coastal area of Northwestern Sicily. Although a core microbiome was determined by sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene, quantitative differences were found among the microbial communities on PE waste and the corresponding water samples. Our findings indicated that PE waste contains a more abundant and increased core microbiome diversity than the corresponding water samples. Moreover, PCR analysis of specific antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) showed that PE waste harbors more ARGs than the water samples. Thus, PE waste could act as a carrier of antibiotic-resistant microbiota, representing an increased danger for the marine environment and living organisms, as well.
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Trotta A, Cirilli M, Marinaro M, Bosak S, Diakoudi G, Ciccarelli S, Paci S, Buonavoglia D, Corrente M. Detection of multi-drug resistance and AmpC β-lactamase/extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes in bacterial isolates of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 164:112015. [PMID: 33513540 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sea turtles are useful sentinels to monitor the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the marine coastal ecosystems. Forty Gram negative bacteria were isolated from wounds of 52 injured Caretta caretta, living in the Mediterranean Sea. Bacteria were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and tested for susceptibility to 15 antibiotics. In addition, NGS amplicon sequencing was performed to detect the presence of AmpC β-lactamase genes (blaAmpC) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes (blaCTX-M,blaSHV,blaTEM). Seventy-five percent of the isolates (30/40 isolates) exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotypes and 32.5% (13/40 isolates) were confirmed to be positive for at least one gene. The variants of ESBLs genes were blaCTX-M-3,blaTEM-236 and blaSHV-12. Variants of the blaAmpCβ-lactamase gene i.e., blaACT-24, blaACT-2, blaACT-17, blaDHA-4 and blaCMY-37, were also detected. In addition, 4 isolates were found simultaneously harboring CTX and AmpC genes while 2 strains harbored 3 genes (blaACT-2+TEM-236+SHV-12, and blaCTX-M-3+ACT-24+TEM-236).
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Trotta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy.
| | - Margie Cirilli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Marinaro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sunčica Bosak
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Georgia Diakoudi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Stefano Ciccarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Serena Paci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Domenico Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Marialaura Corrente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Str. Prov. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy
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Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enteropathogenic Bacteria in Yellow-Legged Gulls ( Larus michahellis) in Southern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020275. [PMID: 33499158 PMCID: PMC7911546 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild birds may host and spread pathogens, integrating the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Particularly, Larus spp. have been described as responsible for the spread of many enteric diseases, primarily because of their large populations at landfill sites. The aim of this study was to examine the role of yellow-legged gulls as a source of enteropathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Yersinia spp., with particular attention to antibiotic-resistant strains. Enteropathogenic bacteria were isolated from 93/225 yellow-legged gulls examined from April to July, during a four-year period (2016-2019). Specifically, Campylobacter spp. was isolated from 60/225 samples (26.7%), and identified as C. coli (36/60) and as C. jejuni (24/60). Salmonella spp. was isolated from 3/225 samples (1.3%), and identified as Salmonella arizonae. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli were isolated from 30/225 samples (13.3%) samples, and serotyped as E. coli O128 (12/30) O26 (9/30), O157 (6/30) and O11 (3/30); Yersinia spp. was never detected. Isolated strains exhibited multidrug resistance, including vitally important antibiotics for human medicine (i.e., fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines). Our study emphasizes the importance of yellow-legged gulls as potential reservoirs of pathogenic and resistant strains and their involvement in the dissemination of these bacteria across different environments, with resulting public health concerns.
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Deems A, Du Prey M, Dowd SE, McLaughlin RW. Characterization of the Biodiesel Degrading Acinetobacter oleivorans Strain PT8 Isolated from the Fecal Material of a Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:522-527. [PMID: 33392672 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-020-02320-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Acinetobacter species are gram-negative, non-fermenting bacteria with coccobacilli morphology. The bacteria are found ubiquitously and have the ability to occupy niches which include environmental sites, animals, and humans. The original purpose of this study was to determine if painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) living in the wild in Western Wisconsin were colonized with carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Fecal samples from ten turtles were examined for carbapenem-resistant bacteria. None of the isolates were found to be carbapenem resistant by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. However, all the isolates were resistant to other β-lactams and chloramphenicol classes of antimicrobials. One isolate, Acinetobacter oleivorans strain PT8, was selected for additional characterization, including whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Strain PT8 is capable of degrading biodiesel, forming biofilms, and has a putative type 6 gene cluster. Finally, the taxonomic position of the available whole-genome sequences of 25 A. oleivorans genomes from purified isolates was determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Deems
- General Studies, Gateway Technical College, 3520-30th Avenue, Kenosha, WI, 53144, USA
| | - Michael Du Prey
- General Studies, Gateway Technical College, 3520-30th Avenue, Kenosha, WI, 53144, USA
| | - Scot E Dowd
- MR DNA (Molecular Research LP), Shallowater, TX, USA
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Mononuclear Perfluoroalkyl-Heterocyclic Complexes of Pd(II): Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25194487. [PMID: 33007913 PMCID: PMC7582383 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Two mononuclear Pd(II) complexes [PdCl2(pfptp)] (1) and [PdCl2(pfhtp)] (2), with ligands 2-(3-perfluoropropyl-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-5yl)-pyridine (pfptp) and 2-(3-perfluoroheptyl-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-5yl)-pyridine (pfhtp), were synthesized and structurally characterized. The two complexes showed a bidentate coordination of the ligand occurring through N atom of pyridine ring and N4 atom of 1,2,4-triazole. Both complexes showed antimicrobial activity when tested against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains.
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Presentato A, Piacenza E, Scurria A, Albanese L, Zabini F, Meneguzzo F, Nuzzo D, Pagliaro M, Martino DC, Alduina R, Ciriminna R. A New Water-Soluble Bactericidal Agent for the Treatment of Infections Caused by Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacterial Strains. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9090586. [PMID: 32911640 PMCID: PMC7558503 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9090586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Grapefruit and lemon pectin obtained from the respective waste citrus peels via hydrodynamic cavitation in water only are powerful, broad-scope antimicrobials against Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. Dubbed IntegroPectin, these pectic polymers functionalized with citrus flavonoids and terpenes show superior antimicrobial activity when compared to commercial citrus pectin. Similar to commercial pectin, lemon IntegroPectin determined ca. 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus cells, while an enhanced activity of commercial citrus pectin was detected in the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells with a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 15 mg mL−1. Although grapefruit and lemon IntegroPectin share equal MBC in the case of P. aeruginosa cells, grapefruit IntegroPectin shows boosted activity upon exposure of S. aureus cells with a 40 mg mL−1 biopolymer concentration affording complete killing of the bacterial cells. Insights into the mechanism of action of these biocompatible antimicrobials and their effect on bacterial cells, at the morphological level, were obtained indirectly through Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and directly through scanning electron microscopy. In the era of antimicrobial resistance, these results are of great societal and sanitary relevance since citrus IntegroPectin biomaterials are also devoid of cytotoxic activity, as already shown for lemon IntegroPectin, opening the route to the development of new medical treatments of polymicrobial infections unlikely to develop drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Presentato
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (D.C.M.)
| | - Elena Piacenza
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (D.C.M.)
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Antonino Scurria
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (A.S.); (R.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Albanese
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; (L.A.); (F.Z.); (F.M.)
| | - Federica Zabini
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; (L.A.); (F.Z.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesco Meneguzzo
- Istituto per la Bioeconomia, CNR, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; (L.A.); (F.Z.); (F.M.)
| | - Domenico Nuzzo
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione Biomedica, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Mario Pagliaro
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (A.S.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (R.A.)
| | - Delia Chillura Martino
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (D.C.M.)
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Rosa Alduina
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (D.C.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (R.A.)
| | - Rosaria Ciriminna
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, via U. La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (A.S.); (R.C.)
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Expression of a Shiga-Like Toxin during Plastic Colonization by Two Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila RIT668 and Citrobacter freundii RIT669, Isolated from Endangered Turtles ( Clemmys guttata). Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8081172. [PMID: 32752245 PMCID: PMC7465454 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila RIT668 and Citrobacter freundii RIT669 were isolated from endangered spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata). Whole-genome sequencing, annotation and phylogenetic analyses of the genomes revealed that the closest relative of RIT668 is A. hydrophila ATCC 7966 and Citrobacter portucalensis A60 for RIT669. Resistome analysis showed that A. hydrophila and C. freundii harbor six and 19 different antibiotic resistance genes, respectively. Both bacteria colonize polyethylene and polypropylene, which are common plastics, found in the environment and are used to fabricate medical devices. The expression of six biofilm-related genes—biofilm peroxide resistance protein (bsmA), biofilm formation regulatory protein subunit R (bssR), biofilm formation regulatory protein subunit S (bssS), biofilm formation regulator (hmsP), toxin-antitoxin biofilm protein (tabA) and transcriptional activator of curli operon (csgD)—and two virulence factors—Vi antigen-related gene (viaB) and Shiga-like toxin (slt-II)—was investigated by RT-PCR. A. hydrophila displayed a > 2-fold increase in slt-II expression in cells adhering to both polymers, C. freundii adhering on polyethylene displayed a > 2-fold, and on polypropylene a > 6-fold upregulation of slt-II. Thus, the two new isolates are potential pathogens owing to their drug resistance, surface colonization and upregulation of a slt-II-type diarrheal toxin on polymer surfaces.
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New Synthetic Nitro-Pyrrolomycins as Promising Antibacterial and Anticancer Agents. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9060292. [PMID: 32486200 PMCID: PMC7345095 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9060292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolomycins (PMs) are polyhalogenated antibiotics known as powerful biologically active compounds, yet featuring high cytotoxicity. The present study reports the antibacterial and antitumoral properties of new chemically synthesized PMs, where the three positions of the pyrrolic nucleus were replaced by nitro groups, aiming to reduce their cytotoxicity while maintaining or even enhancing the biological activity. Indeed, the presence of the nitro substituent in diverse positions of the pyrrole determined an improvement of the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Gram-positive (i.e., Staphylococcus aureus) or -negative (i.e., Pseudomonas aeruginosa) pathogen strains as compared to the natural PM-C. Moreover, some new nitro-PMs were as active as or more than PM-C in inhibiting the proliferation of colon (HCT116) and breast (MCF 7) cancer cell lines and were less toxic towards normal epithelial (hTERT RPE-1) cells. Altogether, our findings contribute to increase the knowledge of the mode of action of these promising molecules and provide a basis for their rationale chemical or biological manipulation.
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Alduina R. Antibiotics and Environment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9040202. [PMID: 32340148 PMCID: PMC7235880 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9040202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, the use of antibiotics has become the golden standard in the treatment of bacterial infections of all kinds [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Alduina
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90028 Palermo, Italy
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