scholarly journals Molecular Analysis of Shower Curtain Biofilm Microbes

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 4187-4192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott T. Kelley ◽  
Ulrike Theisen ◽  
Largus T. Angenent ◽  
Allison St. Amand ◽  
Norman R. Pace
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Household Environment ◽  
Soap Scum ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACT Households provide environments that encourage the formation of microbial communities, often as biofilms. Such biofilms constitute potential reservoirs for pathogens, particularly for immune-compromised individuals. One household environment that potentially accumulates microbial biofilms is that provided by vinyl shower curtains. Over time, vinyl shower curtains accumulate films, commonly referred to as “soap scum,” which microscopy reveals are constituted of lush microbial biofilms. To determine the kinds of microbes that constitute shower curtain biofilms and thereby to identify potential opportunistic pathogens, we conducted an analysis of rRNA genes obtained by PCR from four vinyl shower curtains from different households. Each of the shower curtain communities was highly complex. No sequence was identical to one in the databases, and no identical sequences were encountered in the different communities. However, the sequences generally represented similar phylogenetic kinds of organisms. Particularly abundant sequences represented members of the α-group of proteobacteria, mainly Sphingomonas spp. and Methylobacterium spp. Both of these genera are known to include opportunistic pathogens, and several of the sequences obtained from the environmental DNA samples were closely related to known pathogens. Such organisms have also been linked to biofilm formation associated with water reservoirs and conduits. In addition, the study detected many other kinds of organisms at lower abundances. These results show that shower curtains are a potential source of opportunistic pathogens associated with biofilms. Frequent cleaning or disposal of shower curtains is indicated, particularly in households with immune-compromised individuals.

scholarly journals Methods for eradication of the biofilms formed by opportunistic pathogens using novel techniques – A review

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 26-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Zabielska ◽  
Agnieszka Tyfa ◽  
Alina Kunicka-Styczyńska
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Cold Plasma ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Abiotic Surfaces ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Microbial Adherence

The inconvenient environmental conditions force microorganisms to colonize either abiotic surfaces or animal and plant tissues and, therefore, form more resistant structures – biofilms. The phenomenon of microbial adherence, opportunistic pathogens in particular, is of a great concern. Colonization of medical devices and biofilm formation on their surface, may lead to severe infections mainly in humans with impaired immune system. Although, current research consider various methods for prevention of microbial biofilms formation, still, once a biofilm is formed, its elimination is almost impossible. This study focuses on the overview of novel methods applied for eradication of mature opportunistic pathogens' biofilms. Among various techniques the following: cold plasma, electric field, ultrasounds, ozonated water treatment, phagotherapy, matrix targeting enzymes, bacteriocins, synthetic chemicals and natural origin compounds used for biofilm matrix disruption were briefly described.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of the Ecological Succession of Microbial Communities on Two Artificial Reef Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Zhansheng Guo ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Wei Cong ◽  
Zhaoyang Jiang ◽  
Zhenlin Liang
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Shannon Index ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Resource Enhancement ◽  
Temporal Succession ◽  
Concrete Operational ◽  
Over Time

Concrete and wood are commonly used to manufacture artificial reefs (ARs) worldwide for marine resource enhancement and habitat restoration. Although microbial biofilms play an important role in marine ecosystems, the microbial communities that colonize concrete and wooden ARs and their temporal succession have rarely been studied. In this study, the temporal succession of the microbial communities on concrete and wooden AR blocks and the driving factors were investigated. The composition of the microbial communities underwent successive shifts over time: among the six dominant phyla, the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Gracilibacteria significantly decreased in wood, as did that of Cyanobacteria in concrete. Operational taxonomic units (OTU) richness and Shannon index were significantly higher in concrete than in wood. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination placed the microbial communities in two distinct clusters corresponding to the two substrate materials. The macrobenthic compositions of concrete and wood were broadly similar and shifted over time, especially in the first five weeks. The Shannon index of the microbial communities in concrete and wood increased significantly with the organism coverage. The results provide fundamental data on microbial community succession during the initial deployment of ARs and contribute to understanding the ecological effects of ARs.

scholarly journals MODERN METHODS FOR RESEARCHING MICROBIAL BIOFILMS OF THE ENTEROBACTERIACEAE FAMILY

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
T. V. Artyukh ◽  
◽  
T. N. Sokolova ◽  
V. M. Sheibak ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Film Formation ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Modern Methods ◽  
Quantitative Characteristics ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Characteristics

The article outlines the main methods of studying microbial biofilms, which make it possible to reveal: the patterns of biofilm formation by microorganisms of the Enterobacteriaceae family, genetic programs regulating the processes of film formation, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the components of microbial communities, the influence of external factors on the stages of biofilm formation and dispersion. The study of the phenomenon of film formation in combination with monitoring the resistance of intestinal microorganisms in the biofilm to antibacterial drugs will make it possible to get closer to understanding the role of biofilms in the course of infectious processes of a microbial origin.

scholarly journals The presence of biofilm forming microorganisms on hydrotherapy equipment and facilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 923-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Jarząb ◽  
Maciej Walczak
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Influence Of Temperature ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Brine Pool

Abstract Hydrotherapy equipment provides a perfect environment for the formation and growth of microbial biofilms. Biofilms may reduce the microbiological cleanliness of hydrotherapy equipment and harbour opportunistic pathogens and pathogenic bacteria. The aims of this study were to investigate the ability of microorganisms that colonize hydrotherapy equipment to form biofilms, and to assess the influence of temperature and nutrients on the rate of biofilm formation. Surface swab samples were collected from the whirlpool baths, inhalation equipment and submerged surfaces of a brine pool at the spa center in Ciechocinek, Poland. We isolated and identified microorganisms from the swab samples and measured their ability to form biofilms. Biofilm formation was observed at a range of temperatures, in both nutrient-deficient and nutrient-rich environments. We isolated and identified microorganisms which are known to form biofilms on medical devices (e.g. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia). All isolates were classified as opportunistic pathogens, which can cause infections in humans with weakened immunity systems. All isolates showed the ability to form biofilms in the laboratory conditions. The potential for biofilm formation was higher in the presence of added nutrients. In addition, the hydrolytic activity of the biofilm was connected with the presence of nutrients.

Confocal and SEM imaging to demonstrate food pathogen- biofilm biocontrol by pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (01) ◽  
pp. 5218
Author(s):  
Laxmi Mohandas ◽  
Anju T. R. ◽  
Sarita G. Bhat*
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Antibiofilm Activity ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Redox Active ◽  
Sem Imaging ◽  
The Impact

An assortment of redox-active phenazine compounds like pyocyanin with their characteristic blue-green colour are synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens, which are also considered one of the most commercially valuable microorganisms. In this study, pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1 from food sample was assessed for its antibiofilm activity by micro titer plate assay against strong biofilm producers belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium and Micrococcus. Pyocyanin inhibited biofilm activity in very minute concentrations. This was also confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Both SEM and CLSM helped to visualize the biocontrol of biofilm formation by eight pathogens. The imaging and quantification by CLSM also established the impact of pyocyanin on biofilm-biocontrol mainly in the food industry.

scholarly journals Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Aysha Kamran ◽  
Kathrin Sauter ◽  
Andreas Reimer ◽  
Theresa Wacker ◽  
Joachim Reitner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Microbial Mats ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Cyanobacterial Mats ◽  
Cyanobacterial Community ◽  
Mineral Precipitation ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Specific Adaptation ◽  
Carbonate Buildups ◽  
Generation Sequencing

(1) Background: Microbial communities in terrestrial, calcifying high-alkaline springs are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the structure and composition of microbial mats in ultrabasic (pH 10–12) serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif (Italy). (2) Methods: Along with analysis of chemical and mineralogical parameters, environmental DNA was extracted and subjected to analysis of microbial communities based upon next-generation sequencing. (3) Results: Mineral precipitation and microbialite formation occurred, along with mat formation. Analysis of the serpentinite spring microbial community, based on Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons, point to the relevance of alkaliphilic cyanobacteria, colonizing carbonate buildups. Cyanobacterial groups accounted for up to 45% of all retrieved sequences; 3–4 taxa were dominant, belonging to the filamentous groups of Leptolyngbyaceae, Oscillatoriales, and Pseudanabaenaceae. The cyanobacterial community found at these sites is clearly distinct from creek water sediment, highlighting their specific adaptation to these environments.

scholarly journals Leaching Rate of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) from Marine Paint Chips

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen D. Uhler ◽  
Jeffery H. Hardenstine ◽  
Deborah A. Edwards ◽  
Guilherme R. Lotufo
Keyword(s):  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Leaching Rate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Aroclor 1254 ◽  
Maintenance And Repair ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Vessel Bottom ◽  
Dissolved Phase ◽  
Over Time

AbstractPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were added to certain marine vessel bottom paints as a plasticizer to improve the adhesion and durability of the paint. The most common PCB formulation used to amend such paints was Aroclor 1254. Fugitive Aroclor-containing paint chips generated from vessel maintenance and repair operations represent a potential source of PCB contamination to sediments. Limited published studies indicate that Aroclor-containing paint is largely inert and exhibits low PCB leaching into water; however, the rate and degree of leaching of PCBs from paint chips have not been directly studied. This laboratory-based study evaluated the rate and extent of leaching of PCBs from paint chips into freshwater. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the rate of PCB dissolution from paint chips decreased rapidly and exponentially over time. Based on this study, it is estimated that the rate of leaching of PCBs from paint chips would cease after approximately 3 years of exposure to water. When all leachable PCBs were exhausted, it is estimated that less than 1% of the mass of PCBs in the paint chips was amenable to dissolution. The results of this experiment suggest that Aroclor-containing paint chips found in sediments are likely short-term sources of dissolved-phase PCB to pore or surface waters and that the majority of the PCBs in paint chips remain in the paint matrix and unavailable for partitioning into water. Graphic Abstract

scholarly journals Multicellular and unicellular responses of microbial biofilms to stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 401 (12) ◽  
pp. 1365-1374
Author(s):  
Daniel K.H. Rode ◽  
Praveen K. Singh ◽  
Knut Drescher
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Internal Stresses ◽  
Microbial Life ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Applied Stresses

AbstractBiofilms are a ubiquitous mode of microbial life and display an increased tolerance to different stresses. Inside biofilms, cells may experience both externally applied stresses and internal stresses that emerge as a result of growth in spatially structured communities. In this review, we discuss the spatial scales of different stresses in the context of biofilms, and if cells in biofilms respond to these stresses as a collection of individual cells, or if there are multicellular properties associated with the response. Understanding the organizational level of stress responses in microbial communities can help to clarify multicellular functions of biofilms.

scholarly journals Diversity and Dynamics of Seaweed Associated Microbial Communities Inhabiting the Lagoon of Venice

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1657
Author(s):  
Abdul-Salam Juhmani ◽  
Alessandro Vezzi ◽  
Mohammad Wahsha ◽  
Alessandro Buosi ◽  
Fabio De Pascale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Lagoon Of Venice ◽  
Anthropogenic Stressors ◽  
Rich Diversity

Seaweeds are a group of essential photosynthetic organisms that harbor a rich diversity of associated microbial communities with substantial functions related to host health and defense. Environmental and anthropogenic stressors may disrupt the microbial communities and their metabolic activity, leading to host physiological alterations that negatively affect seaweeds’ performance and survival. Here, the bacterial communities associated with one of the most common seaweed, Ulva laetevirens Areshough, were sampled over a year at three sites of the lagoon of Venice affected by different environmental and anthropogenic stressors. Bacterial communities were characterized through Illumina sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA genes. The study demonstrated that the seaweed associated bacterial communities at sites impacted by environmental stressors were host-specific and differed significantly from the less affected site. Furthermore, these communities were significantly distinct from those of the surrounding seawater. The bacterial communities’ composition was significantly correlated with environmental parameters (nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen saturation, and pH) across sites. This study showed that several more abundant bacteria on U. laetevirens at stressed sites belonged to taxa related to the host response to the stressors. Overall, environmental parameters and anthropogenic stressors were shown to substantially affect seaweed associated bacterial communities, which reflect the host response to environmental variations.

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