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Gupta S, Grant LM, Powers HR, Kimes KE, Hamdi A, Butterfield RJ, Gea-Banacloche J, Vijayvargiya P, Hata DJ, Meza Villegas DM, Dumitrascu AC, Harris DM, Chirila RM, Zhang N, Razonable RR, Kusne S, Alvarez S, Vikram HR. Invasive Nocardia Infections across Distinct Geographic Regions, United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29. [PMID: 37987603 PMCID: PMC10683819 DOI: 10.3201/eid2912.230673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We reviewed invasive Nocardia infections in 3 noncontiguous geographic areas in the United States during 2011–2018. Among 268 patients with invasive nocardiosis, 48.2% were from Minnesota, 32.4% from Arizona, and 19.4% from Florida. Predominant species were N. nova complex in Minnesota (33.4%), N. cyriacigeorgica in Arizona (41.4%), and N. brasiliensis in Florida (17.3%). Transplant recipients accounted for 82/268 (30.6%) patients overall: 14 (10.9%) in Minnesota, 35 (40.2%) in Arizona, and 33 (63.5%) in Florida. Manifestations included isolated pulmonary nocardiosis among 73.2% of transplant and 84.4% of non–transplant patients and central nervous system involvement among 12.2% of transplant and 3.2% of non–transplant patients. N. farcinica (20.7%) and N. cyriacigeorgica (19.5%) were the most common isolates among transplant recipients and N. cyriacigeorgica (38.0%), N. nova complex (23.7%), and N. farcinica (16.1%) among non–transplant patients. Overall antimicrobial susceptibilities were similar across the 3 study sites.
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Chapman M, Barnes AN. A scoping review of waterborne and water-related disease in the Florida environment from 1999 to 2022. Rev Environ Health 2023:reveh-2022-0249. [PMID: 37148256 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Florida's environments are suitable reservoirs for many disease-causing agents. Pathogens and toxins in Florida waterways have the potential to infect mosquito vectors, animals, and human hosts. Through a scoping review of the scientific literature published between 1999 and 2022, we examined the presence of water-related pathogens, toxins, and toxin-producers in the Florida environment and the potential risk factors for human exposure. Nineteen databases were searched using keywords relating to the waterborne, water-based toxins, and water-related vector-borne diseases which are reportable to the Florida Department of Health. Of the 10,439 results, 84 titles were included in the final qualitative analysis. The resulting titles included environmental samples of water, mosquitoes, algae, sand, soil/sediment, air, food, biofilm, and other media. Many of the waterborne, water-related vector-borne, and water-based toxins and toxin-producers of public health and veterinary importance from our search were found to be present in Florida environments. Interactions with Florida waterways can expose humans and animals to disease and toxins due to nearby human and/or animal activity, proximal animal or human waste, failing or inadequate water and/or sanitation, weather patterns, environmental events, and seasonality, contaminated food items, preference of agent for environmental media, high-risk populations, urban development and population movement, and unregulated and unsafe environmental activities. A One Health approach will be imperative to maintaining healthy waterways and shared environments throughout the state to protect the health of humans, animals, and our ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKinley Chapman
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Amber N Barnes
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Hall CM, Stone NE, Martz M, Hutton SM, Santana-Propper E, Versluis L, Guidry K, Ortiz M, Busch JD, Maness T, Stewart J, Sidwa T, Gee JE, Elrod MG, Petras JK, Ty MC, Gulvik C, Weiner ZP, Salzer JS, Hoffmaster AR, Rivera-Garcia S, Keim P, Kieffer A, Sahl JW, Soltero F, Wagner DM. Burkholderia thailandensis Isolated from the Environment, United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:618-621. [PMID: 36823515 PMCID: PMC9973702 DOI: 10.3201/eid2903.221245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia thailandensis, an opportunistic pathogen found in the environment, is a bacterium closely related to B. pseudomallei, the cause of melioidosis. Human B. thailandensis infections are uncommon. We isolated B. thailandensis from water in Texas and Puerto Rico and soil in Mississippi in the United States, demonstrating a potential public health risk.
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Carpouron JE, de Hoog S, Gentekaki E, Hyde KD. Emerging Animal-Associated Fungal Diseases. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:611. [PMID: 35736094 PMCID: PMC9225262 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI) estimates that fungal diseases kill around 150 people each hour, and yet they are globally overlooked and neglected. Histoplasma and Talaromyces, which are associated with wildlife, cause systemic infections that are often lethal in patients with impaired cellular immunity. Dermatophytes that cause outbreaks in human hosts are often associated with domesticated animals. Changes in human behavior have been identified as a main cause of the emergence of animal-associated fungal diseases in humans, sometimes caused by the disturbance of natural habitats. An understanding of ecology and the transmission modes of causative agents is therefore essential. Here, we focus on fungal diseases contracted from wildlife and domesticated animals, their habitats, feces and carcasses. We discuss some basic fungal lifestyles and the risk of transmission to humans and illustrate these with examples from emerging and established diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Eva Carpouron
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (J.E.C.); (E.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Centre of Expertise in Mycology, Radboud University Medical Centre/Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (J.E.C.); (E.G.)
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Kevin David Hyde
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; (J.E.C.); (E.G.)
- Institute of Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510225, China
- Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 M.3 Ban Pa Deng T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
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Receveur JP, Bauer A, Pechal JL, Picq S, Dogbe M, Jordan HR, Rakestraw AW, Fast K, Sandel M, Chevillon C, Guégan JF, Wallace JR, Benbow ME. A need for null models in understanding disease transmission: the example of Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer disease). FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:fuab045. [PMID: 34468735 PMCID: PMC8767449 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the interactions of ecosystems, humans and pathogens is important for disease risk estimation. This is particularly true for neglected and newly emerging diseases where modes and efficiencies of transmission leading to epidemics are not well understood. Using a model for other emerging diseases, the neglected tropical skin disease Buruli ulcer (BU), we systematically review the literature on transmission of the etiologic agent, Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU), within a One Health/EcoHealth framework and against Hill's nine criteria and Koch's postulates for making strong inference in disease systems. Using this strong inference approach, we advocate a null hypothesis for MU transmission and other understudied disease systems. The null should be tested against alternative vector or host roles in pathogen transmission to better inform disease management. We propose a re-evaluation of what is necessary to identify and confirm hosts, reservoirs and vectors associated with environmental pathogen replication, dispersal and transmission; critically review alternative environmental sources of MU that may be important for transmission, including invertebrate and vertebrate species, plants and biofilms on aquatic substrates; and conclude with placing BU within the context of other neglected and emerging infectious diseases with intricate ecological relationships that lead to disease in humans, wildlife and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Receveur
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Alexandra Bauer
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jennifer L Pechal
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Sophie Picq
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Magdalene Dogbe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, USA
| | - Heather R Jordan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, USA
| | - Alex W Rakestraw
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL, USA
| | - Kayla Fast
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL, USA
| | - Michael Sandel
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL, USA
| | - Christine Chevillon
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Université de Montpellier (UM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-François Guégan
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Université de Montpellier (UM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Montpellier, France
- UMR Animal, santé, territoires, risques et écosystèmes, Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (INRAE), Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (Cirad), Université de Montpellier (UM), Montpellier, France
| | - John R Wallace
- Department of Biology, Millersville University, Millersville, PA, USA
| | - M Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- AgBioResearch, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Boukerb AM, Noël C, Quenot E, Cadiou B, Chevé J, Quintric L, Cormier A, Dantan L, Gourmelon M. Comparative Analysis of Fecal Microbiomes From Wild Waterbirds to Poultry, Cattle, Pigs, and Wastewater Treatment Plants for a Microbial Source Tracking Approach. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:697553. [PMID: 34335529 PMCID: PMC8317174 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.697553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fecal pollution in coastal areas is of a high concern since it affects bathing and shellfish harvesting activities. Wild waterbirds are non-negligible in the overall signal of the detectable pollution. Yet, studies on wild waterbirds’ gut microbiota focus on migratory trajectories and feeding impact on their shape, rare studies address their comparison to other sources and develop quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based Microbial Source Tracking (MST) markers to detect such pollution. Thus, by using 16S rRNA amplicon high-throughput sequencing, the aims of this study were (i) to explore and compare fecal bacterial communities from wild waterbirds (i.e., six families and 15 species, n = 275 samples) to that of poultry, cattle, pigs, and influent/effluent of wastewater treatment plants (n = 150 samples) and (ii) to develop new MST markers for waterbirds. Significant differences were observed between wild waterbirds and the four other groups. We identified 7,349 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) from the hypervariable V3–V4 region. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and, in a lesser extent, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were ubiquitous while Fusobacteria and Epsilonbacteraeota were mainly present in wild waterbirds. The clustering of samples in non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination indicated a by-group clustering shape, with a high diversity within wild waterbirds. In addition, the structure of the bacterial communities was distinct according to bird and/or animal species and families (Adonis R2 = 0.13, p = 10–4, Adonis R2 = 0.11, p = 10–4, respectively). The Analysis of Composition of Microbiomes (ANCOM) showed that the wild waterbird group differed from the others by the significant presence of sequences from Fusobacteriaceae (W = 566) and Enterococcaceae (W = 565) families, corresponding to the Cetobacterium (W = 1427) and Catellicoccus (W = 1427) genera, respectively. Altogether, our results suggest that some waterbird members present distinct fecal microbiomes allowing the design of qPCR MST markers. For instance, a swan- and an oystercatcher-associated markers (named Swan_2 and Oyscab, respectively) have been developed. Moreover, bacterial genera harboring potential human pathogens associated to bird droppings were detected in our dataset, including enteric pathogens, i.e., Arcobacter, Clostridium, Helicobacter, and Campylobacter, and environmental pathogens, i.e., Burkholderia and Pseudomonas. Future studies involving other wildlife hosts may improve gut microbiome studies and MST marker development, helping mitigation of yet unknown fecal pollution sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amine M Boukerb
- IFREMER, RBE-SGMM-LSEM, Laboratoire Santé Environnement Microbiologie, Plouzané, France
| | - Cyril Noël
- IFREMER - PDG-IRSI-SEBIMER, Plouzané, France
| | - Emmanuelle Quenot
- IFREMER, RBE-SGMM-LSEM, Laboratoire Santé Environnement Microbiologie, Plouzané, France
| | | | - Julien Chevé
- IFREMER, ODE-UL-LERBN, Laboratoire Environnement Ressource Bretagne Nord, Dinard, France
| | | | | | - Luc Dantan
- IFREMER, RBE-SGMM-LSEM, Laboratoire Santé Environnement Microbiologie, Plouzané, France
| | - Michèle Gourmelon
- IFREMER, RBE-SGMM-LSEM, Laboratoire Santé Environnement Microbiologie, Plouzané, France
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Augustine SAJ, Eason TN, Wade T, Griffin SM, Sams E, Simmons K, Ramudit M, Oshima K, Dufour A. Salivary Antibodies against Multiple Environmental Pathogens Found in Individuals Recreating at an Iowa Beach. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18115797. [PMID: 34071402 PMCID: PMC8199218 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Detecting environmental exposures and mitigating their impacts are growing global public health challenges. Antibody tests show great promise and have emerged as fundamental tools for large-scale exposure studies. Here, we apply, demonstrate and validate the utility of a salivary antibody multiplex immunoassay in measuring antibody prevalence and immunoconversions to six pathogens commonly found in the environment. The study aimed to assess waterborne infections in consenting beachgoers recreating at an Iowa riverine beach by measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against select pathogens in serially collected saliva samples. Results showed that nearly 80% of beachgoers had prior exposures to at least one of the targeted pathogens at the beginning of the study. Most of these exposures were to norovirus GI.1 (59.41%), norovirus GII.4 (58.79%) and Toxoplasma gondii (22.80%) and over half (56.28%) of beachgoers had evidence of previous exposure to multiple pathogens. Of individuals who returned samples for each collection period, 6.11% immunoconverted to one or more pathogens, largely to noroviruses (GI.1: 3.82% and GII.4: 2.29%) and T. gondii (1.53%). Outcomes of this effort illustrate that the multiplex immunoassay presented here serves as an effective tool for evaluating health risks by providing valuable information on the occurrence of known and emerging pathogens in population surveillance studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swinburne A. J. Augustine
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-513-569-7132
| | - Tarsha N. Eason
- Center for Environmental Methods and Measurement, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA 30605, USA;
| | - Tim Wade
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (T.W.); (E.S.)
| | - Shannon M. Griffin
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA;
| | - Elizabeth Sams
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (T.W.); (E.S.)
| | - Kaneatra Simmons
- Department of Arts and Sciences/Learning Support, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA;
| | - Malini Ramudit
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA;
| | - Kevin Oshima
- Center for Environmental Methods and Measurement, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA; (K.O.); (A.D.)
| | - Alfred Dufour
- Center for Environmental Methods and Measurement, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA; (K.O.); (A.D.)
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Greenman NA, Jurgensen SK, Holmes CP, Kapsak CJ, Davis RE, Maza WM, Edemba D, Esser BA, Hise SM, Keen TN, Larson HG, Lockwood DJ, Wang B, Harsh JA, Herrick JB. Genomics of Environmental Salmonella: Engaging Students in the Microbiology and Bioinformatics of Foodborne Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:592422. [PMID: 33967968 PMCID: PMC8100199 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.592422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed and implemented an undergraduate microbiology course in which students isolate, characterize, and perform whole genome assembly and analysis of Salmonella enterica from stream sediments and poultry litter. In the development of the course and over three semesters, successive teams of undergraduate students collected field samples and performed enrichment and isolation techniques specific for the detection of S. enterica. Eighty-eight strains were confirmed using standard microbiological methods and PCR of the invA gene. The isolates' genomes were Illumina-sequenced by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the FDA and the Virginia state Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services as part of the GenomeTrakr program. Students used GalaxyTrakr and other web- and non-web-based platforms and tools to perform quality control on raw and assembled sequence data, assemble, and annotate genomes, identify antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes, putative plasmids, and other mobile genetic elements. Strains with putative plasmid-borne antimicrobial resistance genes were further sequenced by students in our research lab using the Oxford Nanopore MinIONTM platform. Strains of Salmonella that were isolated include human infectious serotypes such as Typhimurium and Infantis. Over 31 of the isolates possessed antibiotic resistance genes, some of which were located on large, multidrug resistance plasmids. Plasmid pHJ-38, identified in a Typhimurium isolate, is an apparently self-transmissible 183 kb IncA/C2 plasmid that possesses multiple antimicrobial resistance and heavy-metal resistance genes. Plasmid pFHS-02, identified in an Infantis isolate, is an apparently self-transmissible 303 kb IncF1B plasmid that also possesses numerous heavy-metal and antimicrobial resistance genes. Using direct and indirect measures to assess student outcomes, results indicate that course participation contributed to cognitive gains in relevant content knowledge and research skills such as field sampling, molecular techniques, and computational analysis. Furthermore, participants self-reported a deeper interest in scientific research and careers as well as psychosocial outcomes (e.g., sense of belonging and self-efficacy) commonly associated with student success and persistence in STEM. Overall, this course provided a powerful combination of field, wet lab, and computational biology experiences for students, while also providing data potentially useful in pathogen surveillance, epidemiological tracking, and for the further study of environmental reservoirs of S. enterica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah A. Greenman
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Sophie K. Jurgensen
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Charles P. Holmes
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Curtis J. Kapsak
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Raechel E. Davis
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - William M. Maza
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Desiree Edemba
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Bethany A. Esser
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Selena M. Hise
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Tara N. Keen
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Hunter G. Larson
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | | | - Brian Wang
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - Joseph A. Harsh
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
| | - James B. Herrick
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
- Center for Genome and Metagenome Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, United States
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Gradoville MR, Crump BC, Häse CC, White AE. Environmental Controls of Oyster-Pathogenic Vibrio spp. in Oregon Estuaries and a Shellfish Hatchery. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:e02156-17. [PMID: 29475863 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02156-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vibrio spp. have been a persistent concern for coastal bivalve hatcheries, which are vulnerable to environmental pathogens in the seawater used for rearing larvae, yet the biogeochemical drivers of oyster-pathogenic Vibrio spp. in their planktonic state are poorly understood. Here, we present data tracking oyster-pathogenic Vibrio bacteria in Netarts Bay and Yaquina Bay in Oregon, USA, as well as in adjacent coastal waters and a local shellfish hatchery, through the 2015 upwelling season. Vibrio populations were quantified using a culture-independent approach of high-throughput Vibrio-specific 16S rRNA gene sequencing paired with droplet digital PCR, and abundances were analyzed in the context of local biogeochemistry. The most abundant putative pathogen in our samples was Vibrio coralliilyticus. Environmental concentrations of total Vibrio spp. and V. coralliilyticus were highest in Netarts Bay sediment samples and higher in seawater from Netarts Bay than from nearshore coastal waters or Yaquina Bay. In Netarts Bay, the highest V. coralliilyticus concentrations were observed during low tide, and abundances increased throughout the summer. We hypothesize that the warm shallow waters in estuarine mudflats facilitate the local growth of the V. coralliilyticus pathogen. Samples from larval oyster tanks in Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery, which uses seawater pumped directly from Netarts Bay, contained significantly lower total Vibrio species concentrations, but roughly similar V. coralliilyticus concentrations, than did the bay water, resulting in a 30-fold increase in the relative abundance of the V. coralliilyticus pathogen in hatchery tanks. This suggests that the V. coralliilyticus pathogen is able to grow or persist under hatchery conditions. IMPORTANCE It has been argued that oyster-pathogenic Vibrio spp. have contributed to recent mortality events in U.S. shellfish hatcheries (R. A. Elston, H. Hasegawa, K. L. Humphrey, I. K. Polyak, and C. Häse, Dis Aquat Organ 82:119–134, 2008, https://doi.org/10.3354/dao01982); however, these events are often sporadic and unpredictable. The success of hatcheries is critically linked to the chemical and biological composition of inflowing seawater resources; thus, it is pertinent to understand the biogeochemical drivers of oyster-pathogenic Vibrio spp. in their planktonic state. Here, we show that Netarts Bay, the location of a local hatchery, is enriched in oyster-pathogenic V. coralliilyticus compared to coastal seawater, and we hypothesize that conditions in tidal flats promote the local growth of this pathogen. Furthermore, V. coralliilyticus appears to persist in seawater pumped into the local hatchery. These results improve our understanding of the ecology and environmental controls of the V. coralliilyticus pathogen and could be used to improve future aquaculture efforts, as multiple stressors impact hatchery success.
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Abstract
Objectives Multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae pose a significant threat to public health. We aimed to study the impact of sewage treatment effluent on antibiotic resistance reservoirs in a river. Methods River sediment samples were taken from downstream and upstream of a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) in 2009 and 2011. Third-generation cephalosporin (3GC)-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated. PCR-based techniques were used to elucidate mechanisms of resistance, with a new two-step PCR-based assay developed to investigate blaCTX-M-15 mobilization. Conjugation experiments and incompatibility replicon typing were used to investigate plasmid ecology. Results We report the first examples of blaCTX-M-15 in UK river sediment; the prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 was dramatically increased downstream of the WWTP. Ten novel genetic contexts for this gene were identified, carried in pathogens such as Escherichia coli ST131 as well as indigenous aquatic bacteria such as Aeromonas media. The blaCTX-M-15 gene was readily transferable to other Gram-negative bacteria. We also report the first finding of an imipenem-resistant E. coli in a UK river. Conclusions The high diversity and host range of novel genetic contexts proves that evolution of novel combinations of resistance genes is occurring at high frequency and has to date been significantly underestimated. We have identified a worrying reservoir of highly resistant enteric bacteria in the environment that poses a threat to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C A Amos
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - P M Hawkey
- Health Protection Agency, West Midlands Public Health Laboratory, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, UK Institute of Microbiology and Infection, Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - W H Gaze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - E M Wellington
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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Abstract
Transmissible encephalopathies (TSEs) are believed by many to arise by spontaneous conversion of host prion protein (PrP) into an infectious amyloid (PrP-res, PrP (Sc) ) without nucleic acid. Many TSE agents reside in the environment, with infection controlled by public health measures. These include the disappearance of kuru with the cessation of ritual cannibalism, the dramatic reduction of epidemic bovine encephalopathy (BSE) by removal of contaminated feed, and the lack of endemic scrapie in geographically isolated Australian sheep with susceptible PrP genotypes. While prion protein modeling has engendered an intense focus on common types of protein misfolding and amyloid formation in diverse organisms and diseases, the biological characteristics of infectious TSE agents, and their recognition by the host as foreign entities, raises several fundamental new directions for fruitful investigation such as: (1) unrecognized microbial agents in the environmental metagenome that may cause latent neurodegenerative disease, (2) the evolutionary social and protective functions of different amyloid proteins in diverse organisms from bacteria to mammals, and (3) amyloid formation as a beneficial innate immune response to stress (infectious and non-infectious). This innate process however, once initiated, can become unstoppable in accelerated neuronal aging.
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