Microbiota in the Throat and Risk Factors for Laryngeal Carcinoma

ABSTRACTThe compositions and abundances of the microbiota in the ecological niche of the human throat and the possible relationship between the microbiota and laryngeal cancer are poorly understood. To obtain insight into this, we enrolled 27 laryngeal carcinoma patients and 28 subjects with vocal cord polyps as controls. For each subject, we simultaneously collected swab samples from the upper throat near the epiglottis (site I) and tissue samples from the vestibulum laryngis to the subglottic region (site II). The microbiota of the throat were fully characterized by pyrosequencing of barcoded 16S rRNA genes. We found 14 phyla, 20 classes, 38 orders, 85 families, and 218 genera in the throats of enrolled subjects. The main phyla wereFirmicutes(54.7%),Fusobacteria(14.8%),Bacteroidetes(12.7%), andProteobacteria(10.6%).Streptococcus(37.3%),Fusobacterium(11.3%), andPrevotella(10.6%) were identified as the three most predominant genera in the throat. The relative abundances of 23 bacterial genera in site I were significantly different from those in site II (P< 0.05). The relative proportions of 12 genera largely varied between laryngeal cancer patients and control subjects (P< 0.05). Collectively, this study outlined the spatial structure of microbial communities in the human throat. The spatial structure of bacterial communities significantly varied in two anatomical sites of the throat. The bacterial profiles of the throat of laryngeal cancer patients were strongly different from those of control subjects, and several of these microorganisms may be related to laryngeal carcinoma.

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Characteristics of gut microbiota in people with obesity

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255446

Author(s):

Mengmeng Duan ◽

Yuezhu Wang ◽

Qiang Zhang ◽

Rong Zou ◽

Min Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Illumina Miseq ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Control Group ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Genome Database ◽

Control Subjects ◽

And Control

Background Obesity is the cause of cardiovascular diseases and other diseases, leading to increased medical costs, and causing a great burden to individuals, families and society. The prevalence of obesity is increasing and has become a global health problem. There is growing evidence that gut microbiota plays an important role in obesity. In this article, we revealed the differences in the gut microbiota between 21 people with obesity and 21 control subjects, and predicted the functional potential changes by 16S rRNA sequencing of the fecal bacteria of the subjects. Methods The raw sequencing data of 21 healthy Beijing volunteers was downloaded from Microbial Genome Database System. Microbial 16S rRNA genes of 21 adults with obesity were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq instrument and analyzed by using bioinformatics and statistical methods. Results The diversity of gut microbiota in people with obesity decreased significantly. There were significant differences in gut microbiota between the Obesity and Control group at different levels. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria are significantly different between the Obesity and Control group. In people with obesity, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes decreased significantly. At the genus level, there were significant differences among the 16 major genera, of which four genera Prevotella, Megamonas, Fusobacterium and Blautia increased significantly in people with obesity, while the remaining 12 genera, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiracea_incertae_sedis, Gemmiger and Clostridium XlVa, etc. decreased significantly. At the species level, nine species including Bacteroides uniformis and Prevotella copri had significant differences. Compared with the control group, subjects with obesity were abnormalities in 57 pathways, mainly in Carbohydrate metabolism and Lipid metabolism. Conclusions Overall, our study revealed differences in the gut microbiota between people with obesity and control subjects, providing novel target for the treatment of individuals with obesity.

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Comparative Analysis of the Fecal Bacterial Microbiota of Wintering Whooper Swans (Cygnus Cygnus)

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.670645 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Wenxia Wang ◽

Songlin Huang ◽

Liangliang Yang ◽

Guogang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

The Body ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Illumina Hiseq ◽

Linear Discriminant ◽

Bacterial Microbiota ◽

And Control

There are many and diverse intestinal microbiota, and they are closely related to various physiological functions of the body. They directly participate in the host's food digestion, nutrient absorption, energy metabolism, immune response, and many other physiological activities and are also related to the occurrence of many diseases. The intestinal microbiota are extremely important for maintaining normal physical health. In order to explore the composition and differences of the intestinal microbiota of whooper swans in different wintering areas, we collected fecal samples of whooper swans in Sanmenxia, Henan, and Rongcheng, Shandong, and we used the Illumina HiSeq platform to perform high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Comparison between Sanmenxia and Rongcheng showed no significant differences in ACE, Chao 1, Simpson, and Shannon indices (p > 0.05). Beta diversity results showed significant differences in bacterial communities between two groups [analysis of similarity (ANOSIM): R = 0.80, p = 0.011]. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis showed that at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly higher in Sanmenxia whooper swans than Rongcheng whooper swans. At the genus level, the amount of Psychrobacter and Carnobacterium in Sanmenxia was significantly higher in Rongcheng, while the relative abundance Catellicoccus and Lactobacillus was significantly higher in Rongcheng than in Sanmenxia. This study analyzed the composition, characteristics, and differences of the intestinal microbiota of the whooper swans in different wintering environments and provided theoretical support for further exploring the relationship between the intestinal microbiota of the whooper swans and the external environment. And it played an important role in the overwintering physiology and ecology, population management, and epidemic prevention and control of whooper swans.

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Rhizobium azibense sp. nov., a nitrogen fixing bacterium isolated from root-nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY ◽

10.1099/ijs.0.058651-0 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 64 (Pt_5) ◽

pp. 1501-1506 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Bacem Mnasri ◽

Tian Yan Liu ◽

Sabrine Saidi ◽

Wen Feng Chen ◽

Wen Xin Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type Species ◽

Root Nodules ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

The Novel ◽

Content Type ◽

Link Type ◽

Physiological Properties ◽

Microbial Strains ◽

Type Strains

Three microbial strains isolated from common beans, 23C2T (Tunisia), Gr42 (Spain) and IE4868 (Mexico), which have been identified previously as representing a genomic group closely related to Rhizobium gallicum , are further studied here. Their 16S rRNA genes showed 98.5–99 % similarity with Rhizobium loessense CCBAU 7190BT, R. gallicum R602spT, Rhizobium mongolense USDA 1844T and Rhizobium yanglingense CCBAU 71623T. Phylogenetic analysis based on recA, atpD, dnaK and thrC sequences showed that the novel strains were closely related and could be distinguished from the four type strains of the closely related species. Strains 23C2T, Gr42 and IE4868 could be also differentiated from their closest phylogenetic neighbours by their phenotypic and physiological properties and their fatty acid contents. All three strains harboured symbiotic genes specific to biovar gallicum. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain 23C2T and the type strains of R. loessense , R. mongolense , R. gallicum and R. yanglingense ranged from 58.1 to 61.5 %. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 23C2T was 59.52 %. On the basis of these data, strains 23C2T, Gr42 and IE4868 were considered to represent a novel species of the genus Rhizobium for which the name Rhizobium azibense is proposed. Strain 23C2T ( = CCBAU 101087T = HAMBI3541T) was designated as the type strain.

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Application of a Euryarchaeota-Specific Helicase from Thermococcus kodakarensis for Noise Reduction in PCR

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.04116-15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 82 (10) ◽

pp. 3022-3031 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ayako Fujiwara ◽

Katsuhiro Kawato ◽

Saori Kato ◽

Kiyoshi Yasukawa ◽

Ryota Hidese ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Noise Reduction ◽

Dna Polymerase ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Genetic Diagnosis ◽

Gc Content ◽

Dna Amplification ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Content Type ◽

Thermococcus Kodakarensis

ABSTRACTDNA/RNA helicases, which are enzymes for eliminating hydrogen bonds between bases of DNA/DNA, DNA/RNA, and RNA/RNA using the energy of ATP hydrolysis, contribute to various biological activities. In the present study, theEuryarchaeota-specific helicase EshA (TK0566) from the hyperthermophilic archaeonThermococcus kodakarensis(Tk-EshA) was obtained as a recombinant form, and its enzymatic properties were examined.Tk-EshA exhibited maximal ATPase activity in the presence of RNA at 80°C. Unwinding activity was evaluated with various double-stranded DNAs (forked, 5′ overhung, 3′ overhung, and blunt end) at 50°C.Tk-EshA unwound forked and 3′ overhung DNAs. These activities were expected to unwind the structured template and to peel off misannealed primers whenTk-EshA was added to a PCR mixture. To examine the effect ofTk-EshA on PCR, various target DNAs were selected, and DNA synthesis was investigated. When 16S rRNA genes were used as a template, several misamplified products (noise DNAs) were detected in the absence ofTk-EshA. In contrast, noise DNAs were eliminated in the presence ofTk-EshA. Noise reduction byTk-EshA was also confirmed whenTaqDNA polymerase (a family A DNA polymerase, PolI type) and KOD DNA polymerase (a family B DNA polymerase, α type) were used for PCR. Misamplified bands were also eliminated duringtoxAgene amplification fromPseudomonas aeruginosaDNA, which possesses a high GC content (69%).Tk-EshA addition was more effective than increasing the annealing temperature to reduce misamplified DNAs duringtoxAamplification.Tk-EshA is a useful tool to reduce noise DNAs for accurate PCR.IMPORTANCEPCR is a technique that is useful for genetic diagnosis, genetic engineering, and detection of pathogenic microorganisms. However, troubles with nonspecific DNA amplification often occur from primer misannealing. In order to achieve a specific DNA amplification by eliminating noise DNAs derived from primer misannealing, a thermostableEuryarchaeota-specific helicase (Tk-EshA) was included in the PCR mixture. The addition ofTk-EshA has reduced noise DNAs in PCR.

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Alkalibacterium gilvum sp. nov., slightly halophilic and alkaliphilic lactic acid bacterium isolated from soft and semi-hard cheeses

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY ◽

10.1099/ijs.0.042556-0 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 63 (Pt_4) ◽

pp. 1471-1478 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Morio Ishikawa ◽

Kazuhide Yamasato ◽

Kayo Kodama ◽

Hinako Yasuda ◽

Mioko Matsuyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Sequence Similarity ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Growth Responses ◽

Cultivation Conditions ◽

Content Type ◽

Link Type

Nine novel strains of halophilic and alkaliphilic lactic acid bacteria isolated from European soft and semi-hard cheeses by using a saline, alkaline medium (7 % NaCl, pH 9.5) were taxonomically characterized. The isolates were Gram-stain-positive, non-sporulating and non-motile. They lacked catalase and quinones. Under anaerobic cultivation conditions, lactate was produced from d-glucose with the production of formate, acetate and ethanol with a molar ratio of approximately 2 : 1 : 1. Under aerobic cultivation conditions, acetate and lactate were produced from d-glucose. The isolates were slightly halophilic, highly halotolerant and alkaliphilic. The optimum NaCl concentration for growth ranged between 2.0 % and 5.0 % (w/v), with a growth range of 0–1 % to 15–17.5 %. The optimum pH for growth ranged between 8.5 and 9.5, with a growth range of 7.0–7.5 to 9.5–10.0. Comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA genes revealed that the isolates occupied a phylogenetic position within the genus Alkalibacterium , showing the highest sequence similarity (98.2 %) to Alkalibacterium kapii T22-1-2T. The isolates constituted a single genomic species with DNA–DNA hybridization values of 79–100 % among the isolates and <29 % between the isolates and other members of the genus Alkalibacterium , from which the isolates were different in motility and flagellation, growth responses to NaCl concentrations and pH, and profiles of sugar fermentation. The DNA G+C contents were between 36.0 and 37.6 mol%. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was type A4β, Orn-d-Asp. The major components of cellular fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω9c. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and genetic distinctness, the isolates are classified as a novel species within the genus Alkalibacterium , for which the name Alkalibacterium gilvum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3AD-1T ( = DSM 25751T = JCM 18271T).

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Variation in enzymes of arylamine procarcinogen biotransformation among bladder cancer patients and control subjects

Pharmacogenetics ◽

10.1097/00008571-200102000-00002 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 7-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Susan A. J. Vaziri ◽

Nicola C. Hughes ◽

Heather Sampson ◽

Gerarda Darlington ◽

Michael A. S. Jewett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Control Subjects ◽

And Control

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Halobaculum magnesiiphilum sp. nov., a magnesium-dependent haloarchaeon isolated from commercial salt

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY ◽

10.1099/ijs.0.037432-0 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 63 (Pt_3) ◽

pp. 861-866 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Hirokazu Shimoshige ◽

Tomoaki Yamada ◽

Hiroaki Minegishi ◽

Akinobu Echigo ◽

Yasuhiro Shimane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type Species ◽

Lipid Analysis ◽

Halophilic Archaea ◽

Single Species ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Content Type ◽

Link Type ◽

Physiological And Biochemical Characteristics ◽

Low Levels

Two extremely halophilic archaea, strains MGY-184T and MGY-205, were isolated from sea salt produced in Japan and rock salt imported from Bolivia, respectively. Both strains were pleomorphic, non-motile, Gram-negative and required more than 5 % (w/v) NaCl for growth, with optimum at 9–12 %, in the presence of 2 % (w/v) MgCl2 . 6H2O. In the presence of 18 % (w/v) MgCl2 . 6H2O, however, both strains showed growth even at 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Both strains possessed two 16S rRNA genes (rrnA and rrnB), and they revealed closest similarity to Halobaculum gomorrense JCM 9908T, the single species with a validly published name of the genus Halobaculum , with similarity of 97.8 %. The rrnA and rrnB genes of both strains were 100 % similar. The rrnA genes were 97.6 % similar to the rrnB genes in both strains. DNA G+C contents of strains MGY-184T and MGY-205 were 67.0 and 67.4 mol%, respectively. Polar lipid analysis revealed that the two strains contained phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester derived from C20C20 archaeol. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between the two strains was 70 % and both strains showed low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness (48–50 %) with Halobaculum gomorrense JCM 9908T. Physiological and biochemical characteristics allowed differentiation of strains MGY-184T and MGY-205 from Halobaculum gomorrense JCM 9908T. Therefore, strains MGY-184T and MGY-205 represent a novel species of the genus Halobaculum , for which the name Halobaculum magnesiiphilum sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is MGY-184T ( = JCM 17821T = KCTC 4100T).

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Novel Microbial Assemblages Dominate Weathered Sulfide-Bearing Rock from Copper-Nickel Deposits in the Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.00909-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 83 (16) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Daniel S. Jones ◽

Kim A. Lapakko ◽

Zachary J. Wenz ◽

Michael C. Olson ◽

Elizabeth W. Roepke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Microbial Ecology ◽

Mine Waste ◽

Experimental Treatment ◽

Sulfide Mineral ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Content Type ◽

Duluth Complex ◽

Copper Nickel

ABSTRACT The Duluth Complex in northeastern Minnesota hosts economically significant deposits of copper, nickel, and platinum group elements (PGEs). The primary sulfide mineralogy of these deposits includes the minerals pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite, and cubanite, and weathering experiments show that most sulfide-bearing rock from the Duluth Complex generates moderately acidic leachate (pH 4 to 6). Microorganisms are important catalysts for metal sulfide oxidation and could influence the quality of water from mines in the Duluth Complex. Nevertheless, compared with that of extremely acidic environments, much less is known about the microbial ecology of moderately acidic sulfide-bearing mine waste, and so existing information may have little relevance to those microorganisms catalyzing oxidation reactions in the Duluth Complex. Here, we characterized the microbial communities in decade-long weathering experiments (kinetic tests) conducted on crushed rock and tailings from the Duluth Complex. Analyses of 16S rRNA genes and transcripts showed that differences among microbial communities correspond to pH, rock type, and experimental treatment. Moreover, microbial communities from the weathered Duluth Complex rock were dominated by taxa that are not typically associated with acidic mine waste. The most abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were from the genera Meiothermus and Sulfuriferula, as well as from diverse clades of uncultivated Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria. Specific taxa, including putative sulfur-oxidizing Sulfuriferula spp., appeared to be primarily associated with Duluth Complex rock, but not pyrite-bearing rocks subjected to the same experimental treatment. We discuss the implications of these results for the microbial ecology of moderately acidic mine waste with low sulfide content, as well as for kinetic testing of mine waste. IMPORTANCE Economic sulfide mineral deposits in the Duluth Complex may represent the largest undeveloped source of copper and nickel on Earth. Microorganisms are important catalysts for sulfide mineral oxidation, and research on extreme acidophiles has improved our ability to manage and remediate mine wastes. We found that the microbial assemblages associated with weathered rock from the Duluth Complex are dominated by organisms not widely associated with mine waste or mining-impacted environments, and we describe geochemical and experimental influences on community composition. This report will be a useful foundation for understanding the microbial biogeochemistry of moderately acidic mine waste from these and similar deposits.

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Temporal Variability of Coastal Planctomycetes Clades at Kabeltonne Station, North Sea

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02931-10 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 77 (14) ◽

pp. 5009-5017 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Ilaria Pizzetti ◽

Bernhard M. Fuchs ◽

Gunnar Gerdts ◽

Antje Wichels ◽

Karen H. Wiltshire ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

North Sea ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Content Type ◽

Group A ◽

Related Group ◽

Group B ◽

Card Fish ◽

Group D

ABSTRACTMembers of the bacterial phylumPlanctomycetesare reported in marine water samples worldwide, but quantitative information is scarce. Here we investigated the phylogenetic diversity, abundance, and distribution ofPlanctomycetesin surface waters off the German North Sea island Helgoland during different seasons by 16S rRNA gene analysis and catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescencein situhybridization (CARD-FISH). GenerallyPlanctomycetesare more abundant in samples collected in summer and autumn than in samples collected in winter and spring. Statistical analysis revealed thatPlanctomycetesabundance was correlated to theCentralesdiatom bloom in spring 2007. The analysis of size-fractionated seawater samples and of macroaggregates showed that ∼90% of thePlanctomycetesreside in the >3-μm size fraction. Comparative sequence analysis of 184 almost full-length 16S rRNA genes revealed three dominant clades. The clades, namedPlanctomyces-related group A, unculturedPlanctomycetesgroup B, andPirellula-related group D, were monitored by CARD-FISH using newly developed oligonucleotide probes. All three clades showed recurrent abundance patterns during two annual sampling campaigns. UnculturedPlanctomycetesgroup B was most abundant in autumn samples, whilePlanctomyces-related group A was present in high numbers only during late autumn and winter. The levels ofPirellula-related group D were more constant throughout the year, with elevated counts in summer. Our analyses suggest that the seasonal succession of thePlanctomycetesis correlated with algal blooms. We hypothesize that the niche partitioning of the different clades might be caused by their algal substrates.

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Insights into the Phylogeny, Nodule Function, and Biogeographic Distribution of Microsymbionts Nodulating the Orphan Kersting’s Groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum(Harms) Marechal & Baudet] in African Soils

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.00342-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 85 (11) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mustapha Mohammed ◽

Sanjay K. Jaiswal ◽

Felix D. Dakora

Keyword(s):

Chlorophyll Concentration ◽

Geographic Origin ◽

Soil Health ◽

Field Testing ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Content Type ◽

Macrotyloma Geocarpum ◽

Kersting’S Groundnut

ABSTRACTKersting’s groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum(Harms) Marechal & Baudet] is a neglected indigenous African legume adapted to growth in N-deficient soils due to its ability to fix atmospheric N2via symbiosis with rhizobia. Despite its nutritional and medicinal uses, to date there is little information on the phylogeny and functional traits of its microsymbionts, aspects that are much needed for its conservation and improvement. This study explored the morphogenetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and N2-fixing efficiency of Kersting’s groundnut rhizobial isolates from contrasting environments in Ghana, South Africa, and Mozambique. BOX-PCR fingerprinting revealed high diversity among the rhizobial populations, which was influenced by geographic origin. Of the 164 isolates evaluated, 130 BOX-PCR types were identified at a 70% similarity coefficient, indicating that they were not clones. Soil pH and mineral concentrations were found to influence the distribution of bradyrhizobial populations in African soils. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes and multilocus sequence analysis of protein-coding genes (atpD,glnII,gyrB, andrpoB) and symbiotic genes (nifHandnodC) showed that Kersting’s groundnut is primarily nodulated by members of the genusBradyrhizobium, which are closely related toBradyrhizobium vignae7-2T,Bradyrhizobium kavangense14-3T,Bradyrhizobium subterraneum58-2-1T,Bradyrhizobium pachyrhiziPAC48T, the type strain ofBradyrhizobium elkanii, and novel groups ofBradyrhizobiumspecies. The bradyrhizobial populations identified exhibited high N2fixation and induced greater nodulation, leaf chlorophyll concentration, and photosynthetic rates in their homologous host than did the 5 mM KNO3-fed plants and/or the commercialBradyrhizobiumsp. strain CB756, suggesting that they could be good candidates for inoculant formulations upon field testing.IMPORTANCERhizobia play important roles in agroecosystems, where they contribute to improving overall soil health through their symbiotic relationship with legumes. This study explored the microsymbionts nodulating Kersting’s groundnut, a neglected orphan legume. The results revealed the presence of different bradyrhizobial populations with high N2-fixing efficiencies as the dominant symbionts of this legume across diverse agroecologies in Africa. Our findings represent a useful contribution to the literature in terms of the community of microsymbionts nodulating a neglected cultivated legume and its potential for elevation as a major food crop. The presence of potentially novel bradyrhizobial symbionts of Kersting’s groundnut found in this study offers an opportunity for future studies to properly describe, characterize, and delineate these isolates functionally and phylogenetically for use in inoculant production to enhance food/nutritional security.

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