Cylindrospermopsin: Water-linked potential threat to human health in Europe

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Poniedziałek ◽  
Piotr Rzymski ◽  
Mikołaj Kokociński
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Potential Threat

scholarly journals Diversity and Drug Resistance of Filamentous Fungi Isolated from the Fresh Raspberries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewelina Farian ◽  
Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Filamentous Fungi ◽  
Rubus Idaeus ◽  
Disc Diffusion ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Fungal Strains ◽  
Strip Method

AbstractFungi are one of the most widely distributed microorganisms in the environment, including food such as fruits, vegetables and other crops, posing a potential threat to food safety and human health. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity, intensity and drug resistance of potentially pathogenic filamentous fungi isolated from the fresh raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.). A total of 50 strains belonging to genera Fusarium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Aspergillus and Acremonium were tested for drug resistance against 11 antifungals by disc diffusion and gradient strips methods. The average mycological contamination in the examined samples of raspberries amounted to 4.34 log CFU/g. The Cladosporium was isolated from all tested samples, followed by Alternaria and Fusarium with a frequency of 61% and 34%, respectively. The highest level of drug resistance was observed for Acremonium genera and Fusarium strains recorded a wide variation in drug resistance as revealed by susceptibility with amphotericin B and voriconzole with MICs ranged from 0.5–4 µg/ml and posaconazole with MICs ranging from 3–8 µg/ml. All fungal strains showed 100% resistance to caspofungin, fluconazole and flucytosine with both the methods, and 100% resistance to micafungin and anidulafungin in the gradient strip method.

scholarly journals Impacts of Microcystins on Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Agricultural Plants: A Review

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 639
Author(s):  
Alexandre Campos ◽  
El Mahdi Redouane ◽  
Marisa Freitas ◽  
Samuel Amaral ◽  
Tomé Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
World Health ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Regulatory Limits ◽  
Agricultural Plants ◽  
The Impact

Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes that pose a great concern in the aquatic environments related to contamination and poisoning of wild life and humans. Some species of cyanobacteria produce potent toxins such as microcystins (MCs), which are extremely aggressive to several organisms, including animals and humans. In order to protect human health and prevent human exposure to this type of organisms and toxins, regulatory limits for MCs in drinking water have been established in most countries. In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed 1 µg MCs /L as the highest acceptable concentration in drinking water. However, regulatory limits were not defined in waters used in other applications/activities, constituting a potential threat to the environment and to human health. Indeed, water contaminated with MCs or other cyanotoxins is recurrently used in agriculture and for crop and food production. Several deleterious effects of MCs including a decrease in growth, tissue necrosis, inhibition of photosynthesis and metabolic changes have been reported in plants leading to the impairment of crop productivity and economic loss. Studies have also revealed significant accumulation of MCs in edible tissues and plant organs, which raise concerns related to food safety. This work aims to systematize and analyze the information generated by previous scientific studies, namely on the phytotoxicity and the impact of MCs especially on growth, photosynthesis and productivity of agricultural plants. Morphological and physiological parameters of agronomic interest are overviewed in detail in this work, with the aim to evaluate the putative impact of MCs under field conditions. Finally, concentration-dependent effects are highlighted, as these can assist in future guidelines for irrigation waters and establish regulatory limits for MCs.

scholarly journals New Arsenate Reductase Gene (arrA) PCR Primers for Diversity Assessment and Quantification in Environmental Samples

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babur S. Mirza ◽  
Darwin L. Sorensen ◽  
R. Ryan Dupont ◽  
Joan E. McLean
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
In Silico ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Gene Diversity ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Groundwater Samples ◽  
Reductase Gene

ABSTRACT The extent of arsenic contamination in drinking water and its potential threat to human health have resulted in considerable research interest in the microbial species responsible for arsenic reduction. The arsenate reductase gene (arrA), an important component of the microbial arsenate reduction system, has been widely used as a biomarker to study arsenate-reducing microorganisms. A new primer pair was designed and evaluated for quantitative PCR (qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing of the arrA gene, because currently available PCR primers are not suitable for these applications. The primers were evaluated in silico and empirically tested for amplification of arrA genes in clones and for amplification and high-throughput sequencing of arrA genes from soil and groundwater samples. In silico, this primer pair matched (≥90% DNA identity) 86% of arrA gene sequences from GenBank. Empirical evaluation showed successful amplification of arrA gene clones of diverse phylogenetic groups, as well as amplification and high-throughput sequencing of independent soil and groundwater samples without preenrichment, suggesting that these primers are highly specific and can amplify a broad diversity of arrA genes. The arrA gene diversity from soil and groundwater samples from the Cache Valley Basin (CVB) in Utah was greater than anticipated. We observed a significant correlation between arrA gene abundance, quantified through qPCR, and reduced arsenic (AsIII) concentrations in the groundwater samples. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these primers can be useful for studying the diversity of arsenate-reducing microbial communities and the ways in which their relative abundance in groundwater may be associated with different groundwater quality parameters. IMPORTANCE Arsenic is a major drinking water contaminant that threatens the health of millions of people worldwide. The extent of arsenic contamination and its potential threat to human health have resulted in considerable interest in the study of microbial species responsible for the reduction of arsenic, i.e., the conversion of AsV to AsIII. In this study, we developed a new primer pair to evaluate the diversity and abundance of arsenate-reducing microorganisms in soil and groundwater samples from the CVB in Utah. We observed significant arrA gene diversity in the CVB soil and groundwater samples, and arrA gene abundance was significantly correlated with the reduced arsenic (AsIII) concentrations in the groundwater samples. We think that these primers are useful for studying the ecology of arsenate-reducing microorganisms in different environments.

scholarly journals H6 Influenza Viruses Pose a Potential Threat to Human Health

2014 ◽  
Vol 88 (8) ◽  
pp. 3953-3964 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Wang ◽  
G. Deng ◽  
J. Shi ◽  
W. Luo ◽  
G. Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Potential Threat

scholarly journals Opportunistic pathogens and faecal indicators in drinking water associated biofilms in Cluj, Romania

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Farkas ◽  
M. Drăgan-Bularda ◽  
D. Ciatarâş ◽  
B. Bocoş ◽  
Ş. Ţigan
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water System ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Faecal Indicators

Biofouling occurs without exception in all water systems, with undesirable effects such as biocorrosion and deterioration of water quality. Drinking water associated biofilms represent a potential risk to human health by harbouring pathogenic or toxin-releasing microorganisms. This is the first study investigating the attached microbiota, with potential threat to human health, in a public water system in Romania. The presence and the seasonal variation of viable faecal indicators and opportunistic pathogens were investigated within naturally developed biofilms in a drinking water treatment plant. Bacterial frequencies were correlated with microbial loads in biofilms as well as with physical and chemical characteristics of biofilms and raw water. The biofilms assessed in the current study proved to be extremely active microbial consortia. High bacterial numbers were recovered by cultivation, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila, intestinal enterococci and Clostridium perfringens. There were no Legionella spp. detected in any biofilm sample. Emergence of opportunistic pathogens in biofilms was not significantly affected by the surface material, but by the treatment process. Implementation of a water safety plan encompassing measures to prevent microbial contamination and to control biofouling would be appropriate.

scholarly journals Emerging pollutants-a potential threat to the marine environment

2020 ◽  
Vol XXIII (1) ◽  
pp. 171-178
Author(s):  
Manuela Rossemary Apetroaei
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Pharmaceutical Formulations ◽  
Emerging Pollutants ◽  
Water Disinfection ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
The Impact ◽  
By Products

Development of physical-chemical analysis methods has led to detection many chemical compounds (microplastics, pesticides, steroids, hormones, contraceptives, fragrances, sunscreen agents, water disinfection by products, gasoline additives, pharmaceutical formulations used in the treatment of human and veterinary affections, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, UV-filters, etc.) into the marine environment, called emerging pollutants. Their release into the environment was caused by industrial overgrowth, an excessive modernization of agriculture and the development of maritime transport. The large number of chemicals and compounds from surface waters, soils, groundwaters, and sediments is seen as a potential threat to human health because their presence is not widely regulated or monitored by national and international legislation. The emergence of these compounds is due to the increase of concern degree due to the impact they produce on the environment, as a result of their presence in a wide types variety and at different concentrations. The present paper aims to compile available data about the occurrence, sources, and impact of emerging pollutants to improve the analytical methods for detecting more contaminants, to establish new guideline values useful for human health and marine environment protection.

scholarly journals Isolation, identification and molecular characterization of Aeromonas spp. from farmed loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Jiwen Pan ◽  
Liqing Chen ◽  
Roushan Li ◽  
Yu Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Misgurnus Anguillicaudatus ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Complete Resistance ◽  
Aquaculture Products ◽  
Molecular Sequencing

Gram-negative Aeromonas bacteria is known to contaminate aquaculture products and retains the ability to infect wide range of host including fishes, shrimps and humans. This study is designed to evaluate the presence of Aeromonas in healthy loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) collected from the markets in Hainan and Guangdong provinces of China. Based on the molecular sequencing and phylogenetic analysis with single 16S rRNA and concatenated genes (gyrA and ropD), 104 isolates were identified as Aeromonas species followed by further classification to A. veronii (83.65%), A. jandaei (9.62%), A. hydrophila (3.85%) and A. allosaccharophila(2.88%). More than half of the isolates displayed hemolytic activity of 87.5% and were able to form moderate biofilm (78.26%). Fourteen antibiotics from ten representative classes were screened that demonstrated complete resistance to ampicillin, 89.4% and 68.3% to lincomycin and nalidixic acid. Moreover, a notable detection and prevalence was found in screening of ten virulence-related and nine resistance genes.  To our knowledge, it is the first report of its kind demonstrating potential threat of the commercial loaches carrying Aeromonas to human health. These findings will assist professionals working in clinical settings to optimize their prescription accordingly and researchers to access the impacts of Aeromonas resistance on human health.

Development of a gold nanoparticle-based lateral-flow strip for the detection of dinitolmide in chicken tissue

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (25) ◽  
pp. 3210-3217
Author(s):  
Jie Liu ◽  
Shanshan Song ◽  
Aihong Wu ◽  
Xiaoling Wu ◽  
Jing Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Gold Nanoparticle ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
Poultry Feed ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Lateral Flow Strip ◽  
Chicken Tissue

Dinitolmide is a nitro amide coccidiostat used in poultry feed, and is a potential threat to the environment and human health.

Cylindrospermopsin: cyanobacterial secondary metabolite. Biological aspects and potential risk for human health and life

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Adamski ◽  
Ewelina Chrapusta ◽  
Beata Bober ◽  
Ariel Kamiński ◽  
Jan Białczyk
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristic ◽  
Cyanobacterial Blooms ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Aerosol Spray ◽  
Carcinogenic Potential ◽  
Human Poisoning

AbstractCylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cytotoxin produced by several species of cyanobacteria, which occur all over the world. It was demonstrated that CYN has a wide spectrum of biological activity in animal cells, involving hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and carcinogenic potential, and is considered as one of the factors that caused human poisoning in Palm Island (Australia) and in Caruaru (Brazil). This compound may be introduced into organism by several ways, including consumption of water, fishes and seafood as well as accidental swallowing or aerosol spray inhalation during recreational using of reservoirs covered by cyanobacterial blooms. The information about the CYN impact on environment and its degradation processes under natural conditions is scant. Taking this into consideration CYN should be regarded as a potential threat to human health and life. This review presents physicochemical characteristic and biological activity of CYN, occurrence in freshwaters and its sensitivity to the influence of some environmental factors.

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