scholarly journals Predominance of Atopobium vaginae at Midtrimester: a Potential Indicator of Preterm Birth Risk in a Nigerian Cohort

mSphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkechi Martina Odogwu ◽  
Jun Chen ◽  
Chinedum Amara Onebunne ◽  
Patricio Jeraldo ◽  
Lu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Atopobium Vaginae

ABSTRACT Preterm birth (PTB) is the largest contributor to infant death in sub-Saharan Africa and globally. With a global estimate of 773,600, Nigeria has the third highest rate of PTB worldwide. There have been a number of microbiome profiling studies to identify vaginal microbiomes suggestive of preterm and healthy birth outcome. However, studies on the pregnancy vaginal microbiome in Africa are sparse with none performed in Nigeria. Moreover, few studies have considered the concurrent impact of steroid hormones and the vaginal microbiome on pregnancy outcome. We assessed two key determinants of pregnancy progression to gain a deeper understanding of the interactions between vaginal microbiome composition, steroid hormone concentrations, and pregnancy outcome. Vaginal swabs and blood samples were prospectively collected from healthy midtrimester pregnant women. Vaginal microbiome compositions were assessed by analysis of the V3-V5 region of 16S rRNA genes, and potential functional metabolic traits of identified vaginal microbiomes were imputed by PICRUSt (phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states) analysis, while plasma estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P1) levels were quantified by the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PTB vaginal samples were characterized by increased microbial richness, high diversity, and depletion of lactobacilli compared to term delivery samples. Women who delivered preterm were characterized by an Atopobium vaginae-dominated vagitype. High relative abundance of Atopobium vaginae at the midtrimester was highly predictive of PTB (area under the receiving operator characteristics [AUROC] of 0.983). There was a marked overlap in the range of plasma E2 and P1 values between term and PTB groups. IMPORTANCE Giving birth too soon accounts for half of all newborn deaths worldwide. Clinical symptoms alone are not sufficient to identify women at risk of giving birth too early, as such a pragmatic approach to reducing the incidence of preterm birth entails developing early strategies for intervention before it materializes. In view of the role played by the vaginal microbiome and maternal steroid hormones in determining obstetric outcome, we assessed the vaginal microbiome composition and steroid hormone during pregnancy and examined their relationship in predicting preterm birth risk in Nigerian women. This study highlights a potential early-driver microbial marker for prediction of preterm birth risk and supports the notion that vaginal microbiome composition varies across populations. A knowledge of relevant preterm birth microbial markers specific to populations would enhance the development of personalized therapeutic interventions toward restoring a microbiome that optimizes reproductive health fitness, therefore reducing the incidence of preterm birth.

scholarly journals Vaginal Biomarkers That Predict Cervical Length and Dominant Bacteria in the Vaginal Microbiomes of Pregnant Women

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven S. Witkin ◽  
Antonio F. Moron ◽  
Benjamin J. Ridenhour ◽  
Evelyn Minis ◽  
Alan Hatanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Cervical Length ◽  
Vaginal Fluid ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
The World

ABSTRACT In many impoverished regions of the world, it may not be possible to assess two major risk factors for preterm birth: a short cervical length and the depletion of vaginal lactobacilli. We determined whether measuring specific compounds in vaginal fluid might be a simple, noninvasive, and cost-effective way to predict the bacteria that dominate the vaginal microbiome and indicate the presence of a shortened cervix (<25 mm). Vaginal fluid samples were prospectively collected from mid-trimester pregnant women, and the concentrations of d- and l-lactic acid, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-8, the 70-kDa heat shock protein, a2 isoform of vacuolar ATPase, and sequestrome-1 were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The compositions of vaginal microbiomes were assessed by analysis of the V1-V3 regions of 16S rRNA genes, while cervical length was determined by transvaginal ultrasonography. The vaginal microbiomes could be clustered into five community state types (CSTs), four of which were dominated by a single Lactobacillus species. The dominance of Lactobacillus crispatus or Lactobacillus jensenii in the vaginal microbiome predicted the level of d-lactic acid present. Several of the biomarkers, especially TIMP-1, in combination with the subject’s age and race, were significantly associated with cervical length. Using piecewise structural equation modeling, we established a causal network that links CST to cervical length via biomarkers. We concluded that measuring levels of TIMP-1 and d-lactic acid in vaginal secretions might be a straightforward way to assess the risk for preterm birth due to a short cervix and microbiome composition. IMPORTANCE Premature birth and its complications are the largest contributors to infant death in the United States and globally. A short cervical length and the depletion of Lactobacillus species are known risk factors for preterm birth. However, in many resource-poor areas of the world, the technology to test for their occurrence is unavailable, and pregnant women with these risk factors are neither identified nor treated. In this study, we used path analysis to gain an unprecedented understanding of interactions between vaginal microbiome composition, the concentrations of various compounds in vaginal secretions, and cervical length. We identified low-cost point-of-care measures that might be used to identify pregnant women at risk for preterm birth. The use of these measures coupled with appropriate preventative or treatment strategies could reduce the incidence of preterm births in poor areas of the world that lack access to more sophisticated diagnostic methods.

scholarly journals Sputum Microbiome Composition in Patients With Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. D. Baranova ◽  
V. G. Druzhinin ◽  
L. V. Matskova ◽  
P. S. Demenkov ◽  
V. P . Volobaev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Genome Damage

Abstract Recent findings indicate that the microbiome can have a significant impact on the development of lung cancer by inducing inflammatory responses, causing dysbiosis and generating genome damage. The aim of this study was to search for bacterial markers of squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). In the study, the taxonomic composition of the sputum microbiome of 40 men with untreated LUSC was compared with 40 healthy controls. Next Generation sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes was used to determine the taxonomic composition of the respiratory microbiome. There was no differences in alpha diversity between the LUSC and control groups. Meanwhile, differences in the structure of bacterial communities (β diversity) among patients and controls differed significantly in sputum samples (pseudo-F = 1.65; p = 0.026). Only Streptococcus, Bacillus, Gemella and Haemophilus were found to be significantly increased in patients with LUSC compared to the control subjects, while 19 bacterial genera were significantly reduced, indicating a decrease in beta diversity in the microbiome of patients with LUSC. From our study, Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) emerges as the most likely LUSC biomarker, but more research is needed to confirm this assumption.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in cross-border female sex workers in China: a case-control study

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e8131
Author(s):  
Xiang Hong ◽  
Shenghao Fang ◽  
Kaiping Huang ◽  
Jiechen Yin ◽  
Jianshuang Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Α Diversity

Background Female sex workers (FSWs) are key groups in the transmission of sexual transmitted infections (STI), and vaginal microbiome variations play an important role in transmission. We aimed to explore the characteristics of vaginal microbiome among FSWs. Materials and Methods A total of 24 cross-border FSWs were randomly selected from a cross-sectional survey for female sex workers in southwest China. Thirty-seven female non-sex workers (FNSWs) were randomly selected from the gynecology clinic and health examination center. Vaginal swabs were collected, bacterial DNA extracted and 16S rRNA genes were sequenced. Differences in the vaginal microbiome between both groups were compared using bioinformatics analysis. Results One DNA sample was excluded due to unqualified concentration, therefore 60 samples were sequenced. FSWs had significantly different vaginal microbiota β diversity, but undifferentiated α diversity when compared with non-sex workers. The average relative abundance of Sneathia, Shigella, Neisseria, Chlamydia, Prevotella, Enterococcus and Ureaplasma among FSWs was higher than FNSWs, and relative abundance of Atopobium in FSWs was lower than FNSWs. The Lactobacillus genus was the major genus in both groups. At the species level, Lactobacllus crispatus, Lactobacllus gasseri and Lactobacllus jensenii, in female sex workers, were lower when compared to FNSWs. Conclusion There were distinct differences in vaginal bacteria variety between FSWs and FNSWs. Some disease-related genus were also more abundant in FSWs. Based on these observations, further research is required to identify microbiome communities related to high STI risks and other diseases in these cohorts.

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

2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (Pt_5) ◽  
pp. 1501-1506 ◽  
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.

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

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 3022-3031 ◽  
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.

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

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (Pt_4) ◽  
pp. 1471-1478 ◽  
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).

scholarly journals Host Genetic Factors Associated with Vaginal Microbiome Composition in Kenyan Women

mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Supriya D. Mehta ◽  
Drew R. Nannini ◽  
Fredrick Otieno ◽  
Stefan J. Green ◽  
Walter Agingu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Racial Differences ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Kenyan Women ◽  
Host Genetic ◽  
Women Of African Descent

ABSTRACT Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects 20% of women worldwide and is associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes and increased risk for HIV. Typically, BV represents a shift in the vaginal microbiome from one that is dominated by Lactobacillus to one that is diverse. Persistent racial differences in BV and diverse vaginal microbiome composition overlap with racial disparities in risks for HIV and sexually transmitted infection, especially among women of African descent. Risk factors for BV and nonoptimal vaginal microbiome include sexual practices, yet racial differences persist when adjusted for behavioral factors, suggesting a host genetic component. Here, we perform a genome-wide association study on vaginal microbiome traits in Kenyan women. Linear regression and logistic regression were performed, adjusting for age and principal components of genetic ancestry, to evaluate the association between Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus iners, Gardnerella vaginalis, Shannon diversity index, and community state type (CST) with host genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We identified novel genomic loci associated with the vaginal microbiome traits, though no SNP reached genome-wide significance. During pathway enrichment analysis, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokine production, and other components of innate immune response were associated with L. crispatus, L. iners, and CST. Multiple previously reported genomic loci were replicated, including IL-8 (Shannon, CST), TIRAP (L. iners, Shannon), TLR2 (Shannon, CST), MBL2 (L. iners, G. vaginalis, CST), and MYD88 (L. iners, Shannon). These genetic associations suggest a role for the innate immune system and cell signaling in vaginal microbiome composition and susceptibility to nonoptimal vaginal microbiome. IMPORTANCE Globally, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in women. BV is associated with poorer reproductive health outcomes and HIV risk. Typically, BV represents a shift in the vaginal microbiome from one that is dominated by Lactobacillus to one that is diverse. Despite many women having similar exposures, the prevalence of BV and nonoptimal vaginal microbiome is increased for women of African descent, suggesting a possible role for host genetics. We conducted a genome-wide association study of important vaginal microbiome traits in Kenyan women. We identified novel genetic loci and biological pathways related to mucosal immunity, cell signaling, and infection that were associated with vaginal microbiome traits; we replicated previously reported loci associated with mucosal immune response. These results provide insight into potential host genetic influences on vaginal microbiome composition and can guide larger longitudinal studies, with genetic and functional comparison across microbiome sites within individuals and across populations.

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

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (Pt_3) ◽  
pp. 861-866 ◽  
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).

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

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (16) ◽  
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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