scholarly journals Presence of Balamuthia mandrillaris in hot springs from Mazandaran province, northern Iran

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (11) ◽  
pp. 2456-2461 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. LATIFI ◽  
M. NIYYATI ◽  
J. LORENZO-MORALES ◽  
A. HAGHIGHI ◽  
S. J. SEYYED TABAEI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Rare Event ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Balamuthia Mandrillaris

SUMMARYBalamuthia mandrillaris is an opportunistic free-living amoeba that has been reported to cause cutaneous lesions and Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis. The biology and environmental distribution of B. mandrillaris is still poorly understood and isolation of this pathogen from the environment is a rare event. Previous studies have reported that the presence of B. mandrillaris in the environment in Iran may be common. However, no clinical cases have been reported so far in this country. In the present study, a survey was conducted in order to evaluate the presence of B. mandrillaris in hot-spring samples of northern Iran. A total of 66 water samples were analysed using morphological and molecular tools. Positive samples by microscopy were confirmed by performing PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene of B. mandrillaris. Sequencing of the positive amplicons was also performed to confirm morphological data. Two of the 66 collected water samples were positive for B. mandrillaris after morphological and molecular identification. Interestingly, both positive hot springs had low pH values and temperatures ranging from 32 °C to 42 °C. Many locals and tourists use both hot springs due to their medicinal properties and thus contact with water bodies containing the organism increases the likelihood of infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of B. mandrillaris from hot-spring sources related to human activity. Therefore, B. mandrillaris should be considered as a possible causative agent if cases of encephalitis are suspected following immersion in hot springs in addition to Acanthamoeba and Naegleria.

scholarly journals Molecular Identification of Free-Living Amoebae (Naegleria spp., Acanthamoeba spp. and Vermamoeba spp.) Isolated from Unim-proved Hot Springs, Guilan Province, Northern Iran

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hossein FEIZ HADDAD ◽  
Saeed KHOSHNOOD ◽  
Mohammad Reza MAHMOUDI ◽  
Habib HABIBPOUR ◽  
Selman A. ALI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Genotype 4 ◽  
Guilan Province

Background: This study was conducted to determine the presence and molecular identify of Acanthamoeba, Naegleria and Vermamoeba in unimproved hot springs. Methods: From Jul to Aug 2017, 54 water samples were collected from hot springs in different parts of the Guilan Province, North Iran. For the isolation of Acanthamoeba, Naegleria and Vermamoeba approximately 500 ml of the water samples were filtered through a cellulose nitrate membrane with a pore size of 0.45 μm. The filter was transferred onto non-nutrient agar plates seeded with Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) as a food source. The morphological key of page was used to identify free‐living amoebae (FLA) using an inverted microscope, PCR amplification targeting specific genes for each genus and sequencing determined frequent species and genotypes base on NCBI database. Results: Fifteen of the 54 samples were positive by culture and/or PCR for Acanthamoeba and other FLA from unimproved hot springs. By sequencing the positive isolates, the strains were shown to belong to Acanthamoeba castellanii (12 case isolates belonged to T4 genotype), 4 cases of V. vermiformis, and 3 cases of N. australiensis, 2 cases of N. pagei and 1 cases of N. gruberi. Conclusion: Although FLA-mediated illnesses are not as high as in environmental distribution, but because of a poor prognosis, more investigations about FLA distribution in hot springs is critical. Hot spring may enhance exposure of the amoebae in individuals. Hence, more attention to unimproved hot springs is needed to prevent free-living amoebae mediated diseases.

scholarly journals Isolation and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp. from hot springs in Mazandaran province, northern Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 807-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Dodangeh ◽  
Elham Kialashaki ◽  
Ahmad Daryani ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis ◽  
Amoebic Keratitis ◽  
Hot Tubs

Abstract Acanthamoeba is a free-living protozoan that can be found in natural and artificial environments such as hot tubs, surface water and springs and can cause severe diseases including amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. The present study was conducted owing to the lack of research regarding genotypes of Acanthamoeba in hot springs of Mazandaran province in northern Iran. Twenty-four water samples were collected from all hot springs in Mazandaran province. After filtration through nitrocellulose membrane, samples were cultured on non-nutrient agar medium enriched with TYIS-33. The cultures were microscopically examined for the presence of Acanthamoeba. Positive cultures were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotypes were determined by targeting the 18 S rRNA gene. The pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was identified using thermotolerance and osmotolerance tests. Eleven (47.8%) samples were positive for Acanthamoeba. Based on sequencing analysis, 100% of isolates belonged to the T4 genotype. Thermo- and osmo-tolerance tests showed that four (36.3%) Acanthamoeba strains were highly pathogenic. According to our research, the occurrence of Acanthamoeba in recreational hot springs could be a hazard for high risk persons. Posting warning signs and regular monitoring of these waters by health planners may therefore be useful for decreasing Acanthamoeba spp. infections.

scholarly journals Radon Activity Concentrations in Natural Hot Spring Water: Dose Assessment and Health Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 920
Author(s):  
Eka Djatnika Nugraha ◽  
Masahiro Hosoda ◽  
June Mellawati ◽  
Untara Untara ◽  
Ilsa Rosianna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Annual Effective Dose ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Dose Assessment ◽  
West Java

The world community has long used natural hot springs for tourist and medicinal purposes. In Indonesia, the province of West Java, which is naturally surrounded by volcanoes, is the main destination for hot spring tourism. This paper is the first report on radon measurements in tourism natural hot spring water in Indonesia as part of radiation protection for public health. The purpose of this paper is to study the contribution of radon doses from natural hot spring water and thereby facilitate radiation protection for public health. A total of 18 water samples were measured with an electrostatic collection type radon monitor (RAD7, Durridge Co., USA). The concentration of radon in natural hot spring water samples in the West Java region, Indonesia ranges from 0.26 to 31 Bq L−1. An estimate of the annual effective dose in the natural hot spring water area ranges from 0.51 to 0.71 mSv with a mean of 0.60 mSv for workers. Meanwhile, the annual effective dose for the public ranges from 0.10 to 0.14 mSv with an average of 0.12 mSv. This value is within the range of the average committed effective dose from inhalation and terrestrial radiation for the general public, 1.7 mSv annually.

scholarly journals Microbial Diversity of Terrestrial Geothermal Springs in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1473
Author(s):  
Ani Saghatelyan ◽  
Armine Margaryan ◽  
Hovik Panosyan ◽  
Nils-Kåre Birkeland
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Geothermal Springs ◽  
Bacterial Phyla ◽  
Terrestrial Hot Springs

The microbial diversity of high-altitude geothermal springs has been recently assessed to explore their biotechnological potential. However, little is known regarding the microbiota of similar ecosystems located on the Armenian Highland. This review summarizes the known information on the microbiota of nine high-altitude mineralized geothermal springs (temperature range 25.8–70 °C and pH range 6.0–7.5) in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. All these geothermal springs are at altitudes ranging from 960–2090 m above sea level and are located on the Alpide (Alpine–Himalayan) orogenic belt, a seismically active region. A mixed-cation mixed-anion composition, with total mineralization of 0.5 mg/L, has been identified for these thermal springs. The taxonomic diversity of hot spring microbiomes has been examined using culture-independent approaches, including denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), 16S rRNA gene library construction, 454 pyrosequencing, and Illumina HiSeq. The bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes are the predominant life forms in the studied springs. Archaea mainly include the phyla Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, and Thaumarchaeota, and comprise less than 1% of the prokaryotic community. Comparison of microbial diversity in springs from Karvachar with that described for other terrestrial hot springs revealed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Deinococcus–Thermus are the common bacterial groups in terrestrial hot springs. Contemporaneously, specific bacterial and archaeal taxa were observed in different springs. Evaluation of the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen metabolism in these hot spring communities has revealed diversity in terms of metabolic activity. Temperature seems to be an important factor in shaping the microbial communities of these springs. Overall, the diversity and richness of the microbiota are negatively affected by increasing temperature. Other abiotic factors, including pH, mineralization, and geological history, also impact the structure and function of the microbial community. More than 130 bacterial and archaeal strains (Bacillus, Geobacillus, Parageobacillus, Anoxybacillus, Paenibacillus, Brevibacillus Aeribacillus, Ureibacillus, Thermoactinomyces, Sporosarcina, Thermus, Rhodobacter, Thiospirillum, Thiocapsa, Rhodopseudomonas, Methylocaldum, Desulfomicrobium, Desulfovibrio, Treponema, Arcobacter, Nitropspira, and Methanoculleus) have been reported, some of which may be representative of novel species (sharing 91–97% sequence identity with their closest matches in GenBank) and producers of thermozymes and biomolecules with potential biotechnological applications. Whole-genome shotgun sequencing of T. scotoductus K1, as well as of the potentially new Treponema sp. J25 and Anoxybacillus sp. K1, were performed. Most of the phyla identified by 16S rRNA were also identified using metagenomic approaches. Detailed characterization of thermophilic isolates indicate the potential of the studied springs as a source of biotechnologically valuable microbes and biomolecules.

scholarly journals Carbon Source Preference in Chemosynthetic Hot Spring Communities

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 3834-3847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Urschel ◽  
Michael D. Kubo ◽  
Tori M. Hoehler ◽  
John W. Peters ◽  
Eric S. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Affinity Constant ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Acetate Assimilation

ABSTRACTRates of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), formate, and acetate mineralization and/or assimilation were determined in 13 high-temperature (>73°C) hot springs in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Wyoming, in order to evaluate the relative importance of these substrates in supporting microbial metabolism. While 9 of the hot spring communities exhibited rates of DIC assimilation that were greater than those of formate and acetate assimilation, 2 exhibited rates of formate and/or acetate assimilation that exceeded those of DIC assimilation. Overall rates of DIC, formate, and acetate mineralization and assimilation were positively correlated with spring pH but showed little correlation with temperature. Communities sampled from hot springs with similar geochemistries generally exhibited similar rates of substrate transformation, as well as similar community compositions, as revealed by 16S rRNA gene-tagged sequencing. Amendment of microcosms with small (micromolar) amounts of formate suppressed DIC assimilation in short-term (<45-min) incubations, despite the presence of native DIC concentrations that exceeded those of added formate by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. The concentration of added formate required to suppress DIC assimilation was similar to the affinity constant (Km) for formate transformation, as determined by community kinetic assays. These results suggest that dominant chemoautotrophs in high-temperature communities are facultatively autotrophic or mixotrophic, are adapted to fluctuating nutrient availabilities, and are capable of taking advantage of energy-rich organic substrates when they become available.

scholarly journals Hydrochemical characteristics of the hot spring waters in the Kangding district related to the Lushan <i>M</i><sub>S</sub> 7.0 earthquake in Sichuan, China

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 7293-7308
Author(s):  
Z. Chen ◽  
X. Zhou ◽  
J. Du ◽  
C. Xie ◽  
L. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Lushan Earthquake ◽  
Hydrochemical Characteristics ◽  
Hydrochemical Data ◽  
Deep Earth ◽  
Precipitation Water

Abstract. Hydrogeochemistry of 10 hot springs in the Kangding district was investigated by analyzing cation and anion concentrations of the spring waters. The water samples were collected within 5 days after the Lushan earthquake. The spring waters are classified into 7 chemical types based on the hydrochemical compositions. Comparison with the hydrochemical data before the Lushan earthquake, concentrations of Ca2+, HCO3− and TDS of the waters from the Guanding, Erdaoqiao, Gonghe, Erhaoying, Tianwanhe and Caoke springs evidently increased, which resulted from enhancing interaction between deep-earth fluids and carbonate rocks by the increment of dissolved CO2 in the groundwater. Concentrations of Na+, Cl− and SO42− of the waters from the Guanding, zheduotang, Xinxing and Gonghe springs were decreased, indicating dilution of precipitation water. Concentrations of Na+ and SO42− of the Erhaoying spring water increased, which may be attributed to the more supplement of fluids enriched in sulfur. The results indicate that hydrochemical components of spring water can be used as an effective indicator for earthquakes.

scholarly journals Genomic adaptations enabling Acidithiobacillus distribution across wide-ranging hot spring temperatures and pHs

Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanenath Sriaporn ◽  
Kathleen A. Campbell ◽  
Martin J. Van Kranendonk ◽  
Kim M. Handley
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Thermal Adaptation ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ph Homeostasis ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Related Group ◽  
Geothermal Environments

Abstract Background Terrestrial hot spring settings span a broad spectrum of physicochemistries. Physicochemical parameters, such as pH and temperature, are key factors influencing differences in microbial composition across diverse geothermal areas. Nonetheless, analysis of hot spring pools from the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand, revealed that some members of the bacterial genus, Acidithiobacillus, are prevalent across wide ranges of hot spring pHs and temperatures. To determine the genomic attributes of Acidithiobacillus that inhabit such diverse conditions, we assembled the genomes of 19 uncultivated hot spring Acidithiobacillus strains from six geothermal areas and compared these to 37 publicly available Acidithiobacillus genomes from various habitats. Results Analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons from 138 samples revealed that Acidithiobacillus comprised on average 11.4 ± 16.8% of hot spring prokaryotic communities, with three Acidithiobacillus amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) (TVZ_G1, TVZ_G2, TVZ_G3) accounting for > 90% of Acidithiobacillus in terms of relative abundance, and occurring in 126 out of 138 samples across wide ranges of temperature (17.5–92.9 °C) and pH (1.0–7.5). We recovered 19 environmental genomes belonging to each of these three ASVs, as well as a fourth related group (TVZ_G4). Based on genome average nucleotide identities, the four groups (TVZ_G1-TVZ_G4) constitute distinct species (ANI < 96.5%) of which three are novel Acidithiobacillus species (TVZ_G2-TVZ_G4) and one belongs to Acidithiobacillus caldus (TVZ_G1). All four TVZ Acidithiobacillus groups were found in hot springs with temperatures above the previously known limit for the genus (up to 40 °C higher), likely due to significantly higher proline and GC contents than other Acidithiobacillus species, which are known to increase thermostability. Results also indicate hot spring-associated Acidithiobacillus have undergone genome streamlining, likely due to thermal adaptation. Moreover, our data suggest that Acidithiobacillus prevalence across varied hot spring pHs is supported by distinct strategies, whereby TVZ_G2-TVZ_G4 regulate pH homeostasis mostly through Na+/H+ antiporters and proton-efflux ATPases, whereas TVZ_G1 mainly relies on amino acid decarboxylases. Conclusions This study provides insights into the distribution of Acidithiobacillus species across diverse hot spring physichochemistries and determines genomic features and adaptations that potentially enable Acidithiobacillus species to colonize a broad range of temperatures and pHs in geothermal environments.

Thermoanaerobaculum aquaticum gen. nov., sp. nov., the first cultivated member of Acidobacteria subdivision 23, isolated from a hot spring

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (Pt_11) ◽  
pp. 4149-4157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel A. Losey ◽  
Bradley S. Stevenson ◽  
Hans-Jürgen Busse ◽  
Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté ◽  
W. Irene C. Rijpstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Sequence ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Strictly Anaerobic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Bacterium ◽  
Fermentative Growth ◽  
Novel Genus And Species ◽  
The 16S Rrna Gene

A novel bacterium was isolated from a freshwater hot spring, the Hale House Spring, located at Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs, AR, USA. Cells of strain MP-01T stained Gram-negative, were rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly anaerobic and chemo-organotrophic and did not form spores. Growth occurred at 50–65 °C, with an optimum at 60 °C, at pH 6.0–8.0, with an optimum at pH 6.5–7.0, and at NaCl concentrations up to 0.5 % (w/v), with optimum growth in the absence of NaCl. Strain MP-01T was capable of fermentative growth on pyruvate or proteinaceous substrates as well as reducing Fe(III) and Mn(IV). Major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine and the major isoprenoid quinone was MK-10. In the polyamine pattern, sym-homospermidine was the predominant compound. The DNA G+C content was 62.7 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that strain MP-01T represents the first reported cultivated member of subdivision 23 of the Acidobacteria . It is proposed that strain MP-01T represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Thermoanaerobaculum aquaticum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thermoanaerobaculum aquaticum is MP-01T ( = DSM 24856T = JCM 18256T).

scholarly journals 16S rRNA Phylogenetic Investigation of the Candidate Division “Korarchaeota”

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 5077-5082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Auchtung ◽  
Cristina D. Takacs-Vesbach ◽  
Colleen M. Cavanaugh
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Candidate Division ◽  
High Level ◽  
The 16S Rrna Gene

ABSTRACT The environmental distribution and phylogeny of “Korarchaeota,” a proposed ancient archaeal division, was investigated by using the 16S rRNA gene framework. Korarchaeota-specific primers were designed based on previously published sequences and used to screen a variety of environments. Korarchaeota 16S rRNA genes were amplified exclusively from high temperature Yellowstone National Park hot springs and a 9°N East Pacific Rise deep-sea hydrothermal vent. Phylogenetic analyses of these and all available sequences suggest that Korarchaeota exhibit a high level of endemicity.

scholarly journals Distinct microbial composition and functions in an underground high-temperature hot spring at different depths

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijie Bai ◽  
Xiaotong Peng
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Hydrogen Oxidation ◽  
Archaeal Community ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Different Depths

Abstract. The microbial diversity and functions of three high-temperature neutral hot springs water samples at different depths (0 m, 19 m and 58 m) were investigated based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and a functional gene array (GeoChip 5.0). The results revealed that the bacterial communities were distinct at different depths in the hot springs. Additionally, in response to the depths, bacterial/archaeal community compositions exhibited shifts over the depth profiles. Aquificae, Alpha-proteobacteria, and Deinococcus-Thermus were the dominating phyla at 0 m, 19 m, and 58 m, respectively. Hydrogenobacter, Sphingobium, and Thermus were the most abundant genera at 0 m, 19 m, and 58 m, respectively. The phylum Thaumarchaeota was the most abundant member of the archaeal community in the samples at different hot spring depths. Functional results of the microbial communities indicated that microbial metabolic functions were mainly related to sulfur, nitrogen cycling, and hydrogen oxidation. In summary, our results demonstrated that distinct microbial communities and functions were found at different depths of hot springs in a very limited area. These findings will provide new insights into the deep-subsurface biosphere associated with terrestrial hot springs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document