817. Exploring Microbial Community Alterations during Hospital Animal-Assisted Intervention Programs

Abstract Background Animal-assisted interventions, or pet therapy, is increasingly used by healthcare facilities given the numerous benefits in various settings. However, therapy animals may serve as vectors of hospital-associated pathogens. Yet, both pathogenic and protective commensal microbes could be transferred between patients and therapy animals. This pilot study aims to quantify the microbial sharing between patients and therapy dogs, and determine if contact level and a decolonization intervention modifies this sharing. Methods We collected pediatric patient and therapy dog nasal samples before and after each group therapy visit. Contact level was based on interaction time and key behaviors. Therapy dog handlers performed normal practices for two control visits, then switched to a decolonization protocol (chlorhexidine shampoo prior to the visit, and chlorhexidine wipes during the visit) for two intervention visits. Sample DNA was sequenced for the 16S rRNA gene V1-3 region to assess microbiota composition and diversity. Results We collected 105 samples (79 from patients and 26 from dogs) over 13 study visits. There was an increase in within-sample (alpha) diversity levels after the visits in patients and dogs in control visits, and an overall decrease in intervention visits. Patients were more similar in their microbial composition (beta diversity) to other patients and to dogs after visits. Patients with higher dog contact were more similar to other patients in control and intervention visits using the unweighted metric, but only in control visits for the weighted metric. Conclusion These findings indicate that microbes are shared between patients and therapy dogs during animal-assisted interventions, shown by the increase in alpha diversity levels and microbial community shifts. High contact increased interactions in all pathways, resulting in greater microbial sharing. With the dog pathway blocked, the intervention reduced spread of unique dog taxa, but sharing still occurred in high contact patients. This shows that, while there is potential for the dog to be a vector, other potential pathways are important for microbial sharing during group therapy visits. Infection control efforts should reflect all possible pathways of microbial transmission. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Biliary microbiota and bile acids composition in cholelithiasis

10.1101/469825 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Vyacheslav A. Petrov ◽

María A. Fernández-Peralbo ◽

Rico Derks ◽

Elena M. Knyazeva ◽

Nikolay V. Merzlikin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Bile Acids ◽

Acid Concentration ◽

Gallstone Disease ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Taurocholic Acid ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Taxonomic Profile

AbstractBackgroundA functional interplay between BAs and microbial composition in gut is a well-documented phenomenon. In bile this phenomenon is far less studied and with this report we describe the interactions between the BAs and microbiota in this complex biological matrix.MethodologyThirty-seven gallstone disease patients of which twenty-one withOpisthorchis felineusinfection were enrolled in the study. The bile samples were obtained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease operative treatment. Common bile acids composition were measured by LC-MS/MS using a column in reverse phase. For all patients gallbladder microbiota was previously analyzed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing on Illumina MiSeq platform. The associations between bile acids composition and microbiota were analysed.Principal findingsBile acids signature andO. felineusinfection status exerts influence on beta-diversity of bile microbial community. Direct correlations were found between taurocholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid concentrations and alpha-diversity of bile microbiota. Taurocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid both shows positive associations with the presence of Chitinophagaceae family,MicrobacteriumandLutibacteriumgenera andPrevotella intermedia. Also direct associations were identified for taurocholic acid concentration and the presence of Actinomycetales and Bacteroidales orders,Lautropiagenus,Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilusandHaemophilus parainfluenzaeas well as for taurochenodeoxycholic acid and Acetobacteraceae family and Sphingomonas genus. There were no differences in bile acids concentrations between O.felineusinfected and non-infected patients.Conclusions/SignificanceAssociations between diversity, taxonomic profile of bile microbiota and bile acids levels were evidenced in patients with cholelithiasis. Increase of taurochenodeoxycholic acid and taurocholic acid concentration correlates with bile microbiota alpha-diversity and appearance of opportunistic pathogens. Alteration of bile acids signature could cause shifts in bile microbial community structure.

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Host reproductive cycle influences the pouch microbiota of wild southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Animal Microbiome ◽

10.1186/s42523-021-00074-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sesilje Weiss ◽

David Taggart ◽

Ian Smith ◽

Kristofer M. Helgen ◽

Raphael Eisenhofer

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Reproductive Cycle ◽

Tammar Wallaby ◽

The Body ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Birth Canal ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Rigorous Framework ◽

The 16S Rrna Gene

Abstract Background Marsupials are born much earlier than placental mammals, with most crawling from the birth canal to the protective marsupium (pouch) to further their development. However, little is known about the microbiology of the pouch and how it changes throughout a marsupial’s reproductive cycle. Here, using stringent controls, we characterized the microbial composition of multiple body sites from 26 wild Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats (SHNWs), including pouch samples from animals at different reproductive stages. Results Using qPCR of the 16S rRNA gene we detected a microbial community in the SHNW pouch. We observed significant differences in microbial composition and diversity between the body sites tested, as well as between pouch samples from different reproductive stages. The pouches of reproductively active females had drastically lower microbial diversity (mean ASV richness 19 ± 8) compared to reproductively inactive females (mean ASV richness 941 ± 393) and were dominated by gram positive bacteria from the Actinobacteriota phylum (81.7–90.6%), with the dominant families classified as Brevibacteriaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Microbacteriaceae, and Dietziaceae. Three of the five most abundant sequences identified in reproductively active pouches had closest matches to microbes previously isolated from tammar wallaby pouches. Conclusions This study represents the first contamination-controlled investigation into the marsupial pouch microbiota, and sets a rigorous framework for future pouch microbiota studies. Our results indicate that SHNW pouches contain communities of microorganisms that are substantially altered by the host reproductive cycle. We recommend further investigation into the roles that pouch microorganisms may play in marsupial reproductive health and joey survival.

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The Effects of Genetic Relatedness on the Preterm Infant Gut Microbiota

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9020278 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 278

Author(s):

Shen Jean Lim ◽

Miriam Aguilar-Lopez ◽

Christine Wetzel ◽

Samia V. O. Dutra ◽

Vanessa Bray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Preterm Infant ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Genetic Relatedness ◽

Bovine Milk ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Operational Taxonomic Units

The preterm infant gut microbiota is influenced by environmental, endogenous, maternal, and genetic factors. Although siblings share similar gut microbial composition, it is not known how genetic relatedness affects alpha diversity and specific taxa abundances in preterm infants. We analyzed the 16S rRNA gene content of stool samples, ≤ and >3 weeks postnatal age, and clinical data from preterm multiplets and singletons at two Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), Tampa General Hospital (TGH; FL, USA) and Carle Hospital (IL, USA). Weeks on bovine milk-based fortifier (BMF) and weight gain velocity were significant predictors of alpha diversity. Alpha diversity between siblings were significantly correlated, particularly at ≤3 weeks postnatal age and in the TGH NICU, after controlling for clinical factors. Siblings shared higher gut microbial composition similarity compared to unrelated individuals. After residualizing against clinical covariates, 30 common operational taxonomic units were correlated between siblings across time points. These belonged to the bacterial classes Actinobacteria, Bacilli, Bacteroidia, Clostridia, Erysipelotrichia, and Negativicutes. Besides the influence of BMF and weight variables on the gut microbial diversity, our study identified gut microbial similarities between siblings that suggest genetic or shared maternal and environmental effects on the preterm infant gut microbiota.

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Effect of Pyroligneous Acid on the Microbial Community Composition and Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) in Soils

Soil Systems ◽

10.3390/soilsystems6010010 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Anithadevi Kenday Sivaram ◽

Logeshwaran Panneerselvan ◽

Kannappar Mukunthan ◽

Mallavarapu Megharaj

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Microbial Diversity ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Pyroligneous Acid ◽

Plant Growth Promoting ◽

Growth Promoting

Pyroligneous acid (PA) is often used in agriculture as a plant growth and yield enhancer. However, the influence of PA application on soil microorganisms is not often studied. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of PA (0.01–5% w/w in soil) on the microbial diversity in two different soils. At the end of eight weeks of incubation, soil microbial community dynamics were determined by Illumina-MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The microbial composition differed between the lower (0.01% and 0.1%) and the higher (1% and 5%) concentration in both PA spiked soils. The lower concentration of PA resulted in higher microbial diversity and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) compared to the un-spiked control and the soil spiked with high PA concentrations. Interestingly, PA-induced plant growth-promoting bacterial (PGPB) genera include Bradyrhizobium, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas, Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium, Herbaspiriluum, Acetobacter, Beijerinckia, and Nitrosomonas at lower concentrations. Additionally, the PICRUSt functional analysis revealed the predominance of metabolism as the functional module’s primary component in both soils spiked with 0.01% and 0.1% PA. Overall, the results elucidated that PA application in soil at lower concentrations promoted soil DHA and microbial enrichment, particularly the PGPB genera, and thus have great implications for improving soil health.

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Effects of Cellulase on the Chemical Compositions Characteristics and Microbial Community of Saline-alkali Land Alfalfa Silage

10.21203/rs.2.17221/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Qiang Lu ◽

Gentu Ge ◽

Qiming Cheng ◽

Meiling Hou ◽

shan Yu Jia

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Anaerobic Fermentation ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Chemical Compositions ◽

Diversity Analysis ◽

Microbial Network ◽

Before And After ◽

Alfalfa Silage ◽

The Difference

Abstract Background We aim to assess the nutritional quality of alfalfa in saline-alkali and the main fermenting microorganisms acting on alfalfa in saline-alkali soils.Results In this study, We tested the nutrient composition and microbial community of Zhongmu No. 3 (salt-tolerant) alfalfa, including the nutritional fermentation quality and microbial diversity analysis of alfalfa before and after ensiling (30 days and 60 days). Then we got closely genus that related to saline-alkali soils.The validity of the microbiological data was confirmed by alpha diversity analysis. From the Microbial network, we obtained the difference of the saline-type mantle type.Conclusions we found that the silage quality of Saline-alkali alfalfa can be ensured by anaerobic fermentation with addition. The LABs that play a major role in the saline alkaline alfalfa silage are Lactobacillus, lactococcus and enterococcus.

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Probiotic Supplementation in a Clostridium difficile-Infected Gastrointestinal Model Is Associated with Restoring Metabolic Function of Microbiota

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8010060 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 60

Author(s):

Mohd Baasir Gaisawat ◽

Chad W. MacPherson ◽

Julien Tremblay ◽

Amanda Piano ◽

Michèle M. Iskandar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Gastrointestinal Disorder ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Metabolic Function ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Single Strain ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Metabolic Functions

Clostridium (C.) difficile-infection (CDI), a nosocomial gastrointestinal disorder, is of growing concern due to its rapid rise in recent years. Antibiotic therapy of CDI is associated with disrupted metabolic function and altered gut microbiota. The use of probiotics as an adjunct is being studied extensively due to their potential to modulate metabolic functions and the gut microbiota. In the present study, we assessed the ability of several single strain probiotics and a probiotic mixture to change the metabolic functions of normal and C. difficile-infected fecal samples. The production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and ammonia was measured, and changes in microbial composition were assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The C. difficile-infection in fecal samples resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in SCFA and H2S production, with a lower microbial alpha diversity. All probiotic treatments were associated with significantly increased (p < 0.05) levels of SCFAs and restored H2S levels. Probiotics showed no effect on microbial composition of either normal or C. difficile-infected fecal samples. These findings indicate that probiotics may be useful to improve the metabolic dysregulation associated with C. difficile infection.

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Biliary Microbiota and Bile Acid Composition in Cholelithiasis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/1242364 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vyacheslav A. Petrov ◽

María A. Fernández-Peralbo ◽

Rico Derks ◽

Elena M. Knyazeva ◽

Nikolay V. Merzlikin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bile Acid ◽

Acid Composition ◽

Acid Concentration ◽

Gallstone Disease ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Taurocholic Acid ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Opisthorchis Felineus ◽

Taxonomic Profile

Background. A functional interplay between BAs and microbial composition in gut is a well-documented phenomenon. In bile, this phenomenon is far less studied, and with this report, we describe the interactions between the BAs and microbiota in this complex biological matrix. Methodology. Thirty-seven gallstone disease patients of which twenty-one with Opisthorchis felineus infection were enrolled in the study. The bile samples were obtained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease operative treatment. Common bile acid composition was measured by LC-MS/MS. Gallbladder microbiota were previously analyzed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing on Illumina MiSeq platform. The associations between bile acid composition and microbiota were analyzed. Results. Bile acid signature and Opisthorchis felineus infection status exert influence on beta-diversity of bile microbial community. Direct correlations were found between taurocholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid concentrations, and alpha-diversity of bile microbiota. Taurocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid both show positive associations with the presence of Chitinophagaceae family, Microbacterium and Lutibacterium genera, and Prevotella intermedia. Also, direct associations were identified for taurocholic acid concentration and the presence of Actinomycetales and Bacteroidales orders, Lautropia genus, Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae as well as for taurochenodeoxycholic acid and Acetobacteraceae family and Sphingomonas genus. There were no differences in bile acid concentrations between O. felineus-infected and noninfected patients. Conclusions/Significance. Associations between diversity, taxonomic profile of bile microbiota, and bile acid levels were evidenced in patients with cholelithiasis. Increase of taurochenodeoxycholic acid and taurocholic acid concentration correlates with bile microbiota alpha-diversity and appearance of opportunistic pathogens.

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PSI-10 Establishing a foundation to harvest the potential of the microbiome in poultry production

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.594 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 293-294

Author(s):

Camila S Marcolla ◽

Benjamin Willing

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Community Composition ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

Microbial Community Composition ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

The Impact

Abstract This study aimed to characterize poultry microbiota composition in commercial farms using 16S rRNA sequencing. Animals raised in sanitized environments have lower survival rates when facing pathogenic challenges compared to animals naturally exposed to commensal organisms. We hypothesized that intensive rearing practices inadvertently impair chicken exposure to microbes and the establishment of a balanced gut microbiota. We compared gut microbiota composition of broilers (n = 78) and layers (n = 20) from different systems, including commercial intensive farms with and without in-feed antibiotics, organic free-range farms, backyard-raised chickens and chickens in an experimental farm. Microbial community composition of conventionally raised broilers was significantly different from antibiotic-free broilers (P = 0.012), from broilers raised outdoors (P = 0.048) and in an experimental farm (P = 0.006) (Fig1). Significant community composition differences were observed between antibiotic-fed and antibiotic-free chickens (Fig2). Antibiotic-free chickens presented higher alpha-diversity, higher relative abundance of Deferribacteres, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria, and lower relative abundance of Firmicutes, Clostridiales and Enterobacteriales than antibiotic-fed chickens (P < 0.001) (Fig3). Microbial community composition significantly changed as birds aged. In experimental farm, microbial community composition was significant different for 7, 21 and 35 day old broilers (P < 0.001), and alpha diversity increased from 7 to 21d (P < 0.024), but not from 21 to 35d; whereas, in organic systems, increases in alpha-diversity were observed from 7d to 21d, and from 21d to 35d (P < 0.05). Broilers and layers raised together showed no differences in microbiota composition and alpha diversity (P > 0.8). It is concluded that production practices consistently impact microbial composition, and that antibiotics significantly reduces microbial diversity. We are now exploring the impact of differential colonization in a controlled setting, to determine the impact of the microbes associated with extensively raised chickens. This study will support future research and the development of methods to isolate and introduce beneficial microbes to commercial systems.

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The cultivation of Pyropia haitanensis has important impacts on the seawater microbial community

Journal of Applied Phycology ◽

10.1007/s10811-020-02068-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 2561-2573

Author(s):

Wenlei Wang ◽

Lei Wu ◽

Kai Xu ◽

Yan Xu ◽

Dehua Ji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Pyropia Haitanensis ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Cultivation Period ◽

Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Bacteria And Fungi ◽

Surrounding Seawater

Abstract Microorganisms play important roles in the growth and development of macroalgae. Still, the biodiversity of the epiphytic microbial community associated with the economically important red alga Pyropia haitanensis during the cultivation period remains uncharacterized, especially the effects of P. haitanensis cultivation on the microbial community of surrounding seawater. Here, we isolated epiphytic microbes from P. haitanensis during the thallus stage during oceanic cultivation and the conchocelis stage during industrial cultivation. The dynamic diversity patterns, as determined by 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing of the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively, associated with P. haitanensis and seawater in the presence and absence of algal cultivation were investigated. A notable distinction was observed between the microbial communities of seawater with and without P. haitanensis cultivation. Additionally, the alpha-diversity of seawater with P. haitanensis cultivation was significantly greater than without P. haitanensis cultivation. Cyanobacteria were the dominant species in the latter, while Rhodobacteraceae was enriched in the former. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the microbial community of P. haitanensis at the thallus and conchocelis stages. Seawater properties had significant direct effects on the microbial diversity of P. haitanensis and cultivation seawater, but not on non-cultivation seawater. The enriched microbial presence might promote thallus morphogenesis and be beneficial for the growth and development of both the thallus and conchocelis stages. These findings expand our knowledge of the bacteria and fungi that are beneficial for Pyropia nursery seeding and cultivation, as well as the effects of P. haitanensis cultivation on the seawater microbial community.

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Alterations of gut microbiome in autoimmune hepatitis

Gut ◽

10.1136/gutjnl-2018-317836 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 569-577 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Yiran Wei ◽

Yanmei Li ◽

Li Yan ◽

Chunyan Sun ◽

Qi Miao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autoimmune Hepatitis ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Disease Status ◽

16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Treatment Naïve

ObjectiveThe significance of the liver-microbiome axis has been increasingly recognised as a major modulator of autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to take advantage of a large well-defined corticosteroids treatment-naïve group of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) to rigorously characterise gut dysbiosis compared with healthy controls.DesignWe performed a cross-sectional study of individuals with AIH (n=91) and matched healthy controls (n=98) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. An independent cohort of 28 patients and 34 controls was analysed to validate the results. All the patients were collected before corticosteroids therapy.ResultsThe gut microbiome of steroid treatment-naïve AIH was characterised with lower alpha-diversity (Shannon and observed operational taxonomic units, both p<0.01) and distinct overall microbial composition compared with healthy controls (p=0.002). Depletion of obligate anaerobes and expansion of potential pathobionts including Veillonella were associated with disease status. Of note, Veillonella dispar, the most strongly disease-associated taxa (p=8.85E–8), positively correlated with serum level of aspartate aminotransferase and liver inflammation. Furthermore, the combination of four patients with AIH-associated genera distinguished AIH from controls with an area under curves of approximately 0.8 in both exploration and validation cohorts. In addition, multiple predicted functional modules were altered in the AIH gut microbiome, including lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis as well as metabolism of amino acids that can be processed by bacteria to produce immunomodulatory metabolites.ConclusionOur study establishes compositional and functional alterations of gut microbiome in AIH and suggests the potential for using gut microbiota as non-invasive biomarkers to assess disease activity.

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