Characterization of oral swab samples for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

Oral swab analysis (OSA) has been shown to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). In previous analyses, qPCR testing of swab samples collected from tongue dorsa was up to 93% sensitive relative to sputum GeneXpert, when 2 swabs per patient were tested. The present study modified sample collection methods to increase sample biomass and characterized the viability of bacilli present in tongue swabs. A qPCR targeting conserved bacterial ribosomal rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences was used to quantify bacterial biomass in samples. There was no detectable reduction in total bacterial rDNA signal over the course of 10 rapidly repeated tongue samplings, indicating that swabs collect only a small portion of the biomass available for testing. Copan FLOQSwabs collected ~2-fold more biomass than Puritan PurFlock swabs, the best brand used previously (p = 0.006). FLOQSwabs were therefore evaluated in patients with possible TB in Uganda. A FLOQSwab was collected from each patient upon enrollment (Day 1) and, in a subset of sputum GeneXpert Ultra-positive patients, a second swab was collected on the following day (Day 2). Swabs were tested for MTB DNA by manual IS6110-targeted qPCR. Relative to sputum GeneXpert Ultra, single-swab sensitivity was 88% (44/50) on Day 1 and 94.4% (17/18) on Day 2. Specificity was 79.2% (42/53). Among an expanded sample of Ugandan patients, 62% (87/141) had colony-forming bacilli in their tongue dorsum swab samples. These findings will help guide further development of this promising TB screening method.

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Phenotypic characterization of Astragalus glycyphyllos symbionts and their phylogeny based on the 16S rDNA sequences and RFLP of 16S rRNA gene

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek ◽

10.1007/s10482-014-0163-y ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 105 (6) ◽

pp. 1033-1048 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sebastian Gnat ◽

Magdalena Wójcik ◽

Sylwia Wdowiak-Wróbel ◽

Michał Kalita ◽

Aneta Ptaszyńska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

16S Rdna ◽

Phenotypic Characterization ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Rdna Sequences ◽

16S Rdna Sequences ◽

Astragalus Glycyphyllos Symbionts

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Cytological characterization of sunflower by in situ hybridization using homologous rDNA sequences and a BAC clone containing highly represented repetitive retrotransposon-like sequences

Genome ◽

10.1139/g09-097 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 53 (3) ◽

pp. 172-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P. Talia ◽

E. Greizerstein ◽

C. Díaz Quijano ◽

L. Peluffo ◽

L. Fernández ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repetitive Sequences ◽

Chromosome Complement ◽

Artificial Chromosome ◽

Bac Clone ◽

Clear Cut ◽

Rdna Sequences ◽

Rdna Signal ◽

Or Genes ◽

Sunflower Genome

In the present work we report new tools for the characterization of the complete chromosome complement of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing repetitive sequences with similarity to retrotransposons and a homologous rDNA sequence isolated from the sunflower genome as probes for FISH. The rDNA signal was found in 3 pairs of chromosomes, coinciding with the location of satellites. The BAC clone containing highly represented retroelements hybridized with all the chromosome complement in FISH, and used together with the rDNA probe allowed the discrimination of all chromosome pairs of sunflower. Their distinctive distribution pattern suggests that these probes could be useful for karyotype characterization and for chromosome identification. The karyotype could be subdivided into 3 clear-cut groups of 12 metacentric pairs, 1 submetacentric pair, and 4 subtelocentric pairs, thus resolving previously described karyotype controversies. The use of BAC clones containing single sequences of specific markers and (or) genes associated with important agricultural traits represents an important tool for future locus-specific identification and physical mapping.

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Critical Relevance of Stochastic Effects on Low-Bacterial-Biomass 16S rRNA Gene Analysis

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.00258-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John R. Erb-Downward ◽

Nicole R. Falkowski ◽

Jennifer C. D’Souza ◽

Lisa M. McCloskey ◽

Roderick A. McDonald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

Bacterial Biomass ◽

Critical Examination ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Stochastic Noise ◽

Oral Rinse ◽

Healthy Humans ◽

The 16S Rrna Gene

ABSTRACT The bacterial microbiome of human body sites, previously considered sterile, remains highly controversial because it can be challenging to isolate signal from noise when low-biomass samples are being analyzed. We tested the hypothesis that stochastic sequencing noise, separable from reagent contamination, is generated during sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform when DNA input is below a critical threshold. We first purified DNA from serial dilutions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and from negative controls using three DNA purification kits, quantified input using droplet digital PCR, and then sequenced the 16S rRNA gene in four technical replicates. This process identified reproducible contaminant signal that was separable from an irreproducible stochastic noise, which occurred as bacterial biomass of samples decreased. This approach was then applied to authentic respiratory samples from healthy individuals (n = 22) that ranged from high to ultralow bacterial biomass. Using oral rinse, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples and matched controls, we were able to demonstrate (i) that stochastic noise dominates sequencing in real-world low-bacterial-biomass samples that contain fewer than 104 copies of the 16S rRNA gene per sample, (ii) that critical examination of the community composition of technical replicates can be used to separate signal from noise, and (iii) that EBC is an irreproducible sampling modality for sampling the microbiome of the lower airways. We anticipate that these results combined with suggested methods for identifying and dealing with noisy communities will facilitate increased reproducibility while simultaneously permitting characterization of potentially important low-biomass communities. IMPORTANCE DNA contamination from external sources (reagents, environment, operator, etc.) has long been assumed to be the main cause of spurious signals that appear under low-bacterial-biomass conditions. Here, we demonstrate that contamination can be separated from another, random signal generated during low-biomass-sample sequencing. This stochastic noise is not reproduced between technical replicates; however, results for any one replicate taken alone could look like a microbial community different from the controls. Using this information, we investigated respiratory samples from healthy humans and determined the narrow range of bacterial biomass where samples transition from producing reproducible microbial sequences to ones dominated by noise. We present a rigorous approach to studies involving low-bacterial-biomass samples to detect this source of noise and provide a framework for deciding if a sample is likely to be dominated by noise. We anticipate that this work will facilitate increased reproducibility in the characterization of potentially important low-biomass communities.

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Much ado about nothing? Off-target amplification can lead to false-positive bacterial brain microbiome detection in healthy and Parkinson’s disease individuals

Microbiome ◽

10.1186/s40168-021-01012-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Janis R. Bedarf ◽

Naiara Beraza ◽

Hassan Khazneh ◽

Ezgi Özkurt ◽

David Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

16S Rrna ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

False Positive ◽

Gene Sequencing ◽

Bacterial Biomass ◽

16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Amplicon Sequencing ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene Sequencing

Abstract Background Recent studies suggested the existence of (poly-)microbial infections in human brains. These have been described either as putative pathogens linked to the neuro-inflammatory changes seen in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or as a “brain microbiome” in the context of healthy patients’ brain samples. Methods Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we tested the hypothesis that there is a bacterial brain microbiome. We evaluated brain samples from healthy human subjects and individuals suffering from PD (olfactory bulb and pre-frontal cortex), as well as murine brains. In line with state-of-the-art recommendations, we included several negative and positive controls in our analysis and estimated total bacterial biomass by 16S rRNA gene qPCR. Results Amplicon sequencing did detect bacterial signals in both human and murine samples, but estimated bacterial biomass was extremely low in all samples. Stringent reanalyses implied bacterial signals being explained by a combination of exogenous DNA contamination (54.8%) and false positive amplification of host DNA (34.2%, off-target amplicons). Several seemingly brain-enriched microbes in our dataset turned out to be false-positive signals upon closer examination. We identified off-target amplification as a major confounding factor in low-bacterial/high-host-DNA scenarios. These amplified human or mouse DNA sequences were clustered and falsely assigned to bacterial taxa in the majority of tested amplicon sequencing pipelines. Off-target amplicons seemed to be related to the tissue’s sterility and could also be found in independent brain 16S rRNA gene sequences. Conclusions Taxonomic signals obtained from (extremely) low biomass samples by 16S rRNA gene sequencing must be scrutinized closely to exclude the possibility of off-target amplifications, amplicons that can only appear enriched in biological samples, but are sometimes assigned to bacterial taxa. Sequences must be explicitly matched against any possible background genomes present in large quantities (i.e., the host genome). Using close scrutiny in our approach, we find no evidence supporting the hypothetical presence of either a brain microbiome or a bacterial infection in PD brains.

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Molecular characterization of a ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain found in Switzerland: a case report

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials ◽

10.1186/s12941-021-00456-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Konrad Egli ◽

Anna Roditscheff ◽

Ursula Flückiger ◽

Martin Risch ◽

Lorenz Risch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽

23S Rrna ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Limited Information ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Appropriate Treatment ◽

23S Rrna Gene ◽

Allele Type ◽

Ciprofloxacin Resistance

Abstract Background The resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to ceftriaxone is unusual in Switzerland. The underlying genotype responsible for resistance is suspected to be novel. Generally, resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) involves a comprehensive set of genes with many different mutations leading to resistance to different β-lactams and fluoroquinolones. Case presentation A patient had a positive result from specific PCR for Ng. We routinely culture all clinical specimens with a positive NG-PCR. In this particular case, we isolated a strain with resistance to ceftriaxone in Switzerland. A total of seven different genes (penA, ponA, porinB, mtr, gyrA, parC, 23S rRNA gene) in this strain were partially sequenced for comparison with phenotypic susceptibility testing. Interestingly, two different mutations in the porinB gene were observed, and data on this gene are limited. Information on the identified allele type of the penA gene is very limited as well. Three different mutations of parC and gyrA that correlate with ciprofloxacin resistance were found. The combination of ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin resistance makes an appropriate treatment difficult to obtain due to multidrug resistance. Conclusion The combined results for all genes show the appearance of new mutations in central Europe either due to worldwide spread or the emergence of new genetic combinations of mutations.

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Characterization of symbiotic and associated bacteria from entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis sp. (nematode: Heterorhabditidae) isolated from India

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control ◽

10.1186/s41938-020-00343-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rashid Pervez ◽

Showkat Ahmad Lone ◽

Sasmita Pattnaik

Keyword(s):

Insect Pests ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematode ◽

Alcaligenes Faecalis ◽

Symbiotic Bacteria ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Main Body ◽

Associated Bacteria ◽

Molecular Approaches

Abstract Background Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) harboring symbiotic bacteria are one of the safest alternatives to the chemical insecticides for the control of various insect pests. Infective juveniles of EPNs locate a target insect, enter through the openings, and reach the hemocoel, where they release the symbiotic bacteria and the target gets killed by the virulence factors of the bacteria. Photorhabdus with Heterorhabditis spp. are well documented; little is known about the associated bacteria. Main body In this study, we explored the presence of symbiotic and associated bacteria from Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 09) and characterized by phenotypic, biochemical, and molecular approaches. Six bacterial isolates, belonging to four different genera, were recovered and identified as follows: Photorhabdus luminescens, one each strain of Providencia vermicola, Pseudomonas entomophila, Alcaligenes aquatilis, and two strains of Alcaligenes faecalis based on the phenotypic, biochemical criteria and the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Conclusion P. luminescens is symbiotically associated with Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 09), whereas P. vermicola, P. entomophila, A. aquatilis, and A. faecalis are the associated bacteria. Further studies are needed to determine the exact role of the bacterial associates with the Heterorhabditis sp.

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Molecular characterization of the bacterial communities present in sheep's milk and cheese produced in South Brazilian Region via 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding sequencing

LWT ◽

10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111579 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 147 ◽

pp. 111579

Author(s):

Creciana M. Endres ◽

Ícaro Maia S. Castro ◽

Laura D. Trevisol ◽

Juliana M. Severo ◽

Michele B. Mann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

Molecular Characterization ◽

Bacterial Communities ◽

Rrna Gene

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Nanopore-Sequencing Characterization of the Gut Microbiota of Melolontha melolontha Larvae: Contribution to Protection against Entomopathogenic Nematodes?

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10040396 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 396

Author(s):

Ewa Sajnaga ◽

Marcin Skowronek ◽

Agnieszka Kalwasińska ◽

Waldemar Kazimierczak ◽

Karolina Ferenc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Antagonistic Activity ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Nanopore Sequencing ◽

Bacterial Phyla ◽

Melolontha Melolontha

This study focused on the potential relationships between midgut microbiota of the common cockchafer Melolontha melolontha larvae and their resistance to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) infection. We investigated the bacterial community associated with control and unsusceptible EPN-exposed insects through nanopore sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant bacterial phyla within the complex and variable midgut microbiota of the wild M. melolontha larvae. The core microbiota was found to include 82 genera, which accounted for 3.4% of the total number of identified genera. The EPN-resistant larvae differed significantly from the control ones in the abundance of many genera belonging to the Actinomycetales, Rhizobiales, and Clostridiales orders. Additionally, the analysis of the microbiome networks revealed different sets of keystone midgut bacterial genera between these two groups of insects, indicating differences in the mutual interactions between bacteria. Finally, we detected Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus as gut residents and various bacterial species exhibiting antagonistic activity against these entomopathogens. This study paves the way to further research aimed at unravelling the role of the host gut microbiota on the output of EPN infection, which may contribute to enhancement of the efficiency of nematodes used in eco-friendly pest management.

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Molecular Characterization of Ciliate Diversity in Stream Biofilms

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01438-07 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 74 (6) ◽

pp. 1740-1747 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Andrew Dopheide ◽

Gavin Lear ◽

Rebecca Stott ◽

Gillian Lewis

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

Pcr Primers ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Sequence Diversity ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Stream Biofilms

ABSTRACT Free-living protozoa are thought to be of fundamental importance in aquatic ecosystems, but there is limited understanding of their diversity and ecological role, particularly in surface-associated communities such as biofilms. Existing eukaryote-specific PCR primers were used to survey 18S rRNA gene sequence diversity in stream biofilms but poorly revealed protozoan diversity, demonstrating a need for protozoan-targeted primers. Group-specific PCR primers targeting 18S rRNA genes of the protozoan phylum Ciliophora were therefore designed and tested using DNA extracted from cultured protozoan isolates. The two most reliable primer combinations were applied to stream biofilm DNA, followed by cloning and sequencing analysis. Of 44 clones derived from primer set 384F/1147R, 86% were of probable ciliate origin, as were 25% of 44 clones detected by primer set 121F/1147R. A further 29% of 121F/1147R-detected clones matched sequences from the closely related phylum Apicomplexa. The highly ciliate-specific primer set 384F/1147R was subsequently used in PCRs on biofilm DNA from four streams exhibiting different levels of human impact, revealing differences in ciliate sequence diversity in samples from each site. Of a total of 240 clones, 73% were of probable ciliate origin; 54 different putative ciliate sequences were detected from throughout seven taxonomic ciliate classes. Sequences from Oligohymenophorea were most commonly detected in all samples, followed by either Spirotrichea or Phyllopharyngea. Restriction fragment length polymorphism profile-based analysis of clones suggested a potentially higher level of diversity than did sequencing. Nevertheless, newly designed PCR primers 384F/1147R were considered to provide an effective molecular basis for characterization of ciliate diversity in stream biofilms.

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