scholarly journals Screening of metallic pollution in complex environmental samples through a transcriptomic fingerprint method

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mickael Cregut ◽  
Anna Hua ◽  
Sulivan Jouanneau ◽  
Ali Assaf ◽  
Christophe BY Cordella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Model ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Wastewater Effluent ◽  
Complex Matrices ◽  
Complex Samples ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Metallic Pollution ◽  
Metallic Pollutants ◽  
Metallic Contamination

Abstract Characterizing waste ecotoxicity is labourious because of both the undefined nature of environmental samples and the diversity of contaminants that can be present. With regard to these limitations, traditional approaches do not provide information about the nature of the pollution encountered. To improve such assessments, a fluorescent library of 1,870 transcriptomic reporters from E. coli K12 MG1655 was used to report the ecotoxic status of environmental samples. The reliability of the approach was evaluated with 6 metallic pollutants (As, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn) used alone and in mixture in pure and complex matrices. A total of 18 synthetic samples were used to characterize the specificity of the resulting metallic contamination fingerprints. Metallic contamination impacted 4.5 to 10.2% of the whole transcriptomic fingerprint of E. coli. The analysis revealed that a subset of 175 transcriptomic reporters is sufficient to characterize metallic contamination, regardless of the nature of the sample. A statistical model distinguished patterns due to metallic contamination and provided information about the level of toxicity with 93–98% confidence. The use of the transcriptomic assessment was validated for 17 complex matrices with various toxicities and metal contaminants, such as activated sludge, wastewater effluent, soil, wood and river water. The presence of metals and their associated toxicity, which seems linked to their bioavailabilities, were thereby determined. This method constitutes a possible tool to screen unknown complex samples for their metallic status and identify those for which a deeper characterization must be achieved by the use of traditional biosensors and analytical methods.

scholarly journals Novel Method for Rapid Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Environmental Waters by Use of a Modified Chromogenic Agar

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 2224-2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Watkinson ◽  
G. R. Micalizzi ◽  
J. R. Bates ◽  
S. D. Costanzo
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Wastewater Effluent ◽  
Susceptibility Test ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Disk Susceptibility

ABSTRACT We validated a novel method for screening Escherichia coli resistance to antibiotics in environmental samples using modified Difco MI agar (Becton Dickinson) impregnated with selected antibiotics (tetracycline, ampicillin, cephalexin, and sulfamethoxazole), termed MI-R. This method combines an existing rapid assessment technique for E. coli enumeration with clinical reference data for breakpoint analysis of antibiotic resistance and was developed to address issues encountered when clinical methods are used with environmental samples. Initial trials conducted using strains of E. coli with resistance to the selected antibiotics showed that this method was reproducible and accurate with respect to antibiotic resistance. Trials using wastewater effluent demonstrated the precision of the method, and the levels of resistance found in effluent were directly comparable to the levels of antibiotic resistance determined using the more traditional CLSI (formerly NCCLS) disk susceptibility test. All wastewater isolates growing on MI-R plates were confirmed to be resistant using the CLSI disk susceptibility test. Bacterial resistance to ampicillin (38% ± 4% overall), sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline (21% ± 3% overall), and ciprofloxacin (6% ± 1%) were found in wastewater effluent. A successful trial was also conducted with water collected from the Brisbane River, Australia. The levels of antibiotic resistance in E. coli ranged from 0 to 47% for ampicillin, from 0 to 24% for tetracycline, from 0 to 63% for sulfamethoxazole, and from 0 to 1% for ciprofloxacin, with the highest incidence of resistance associated with wastewater treatment plant discharges. This method has great potential for rapid and representative assessment of antibiotic resistance in E. coli and could allow increased sample analysis, resulting in greater confidence in spatial analysis in environmental studies.

scholarly journals Screening of metallic pollution in complex environmental samples through a transcriptomic fingerprint method

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mickael Cregut ◽  
Anna Hua ◽  
Sulivan Jouanneau ◽  
Ali Assaf ◽  
Christophe B.Y. Cordella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Metallic Pollution

scholarly journals A Statistical Model for Assessing Sample Size for Bacterial Colony Selection: A Case Study of Escherichia Coli and Avian Cellulitis

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall S. Singer ◽  
Wesley O. Johnson ◽  
Joan S. Jeffrey ◽  
Richard P. Chin ◽  
Tim E. Carpenter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Agar Plate ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Simple Task ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Bacterial Colony ◽  
E Coli

A general problem for microbiologists is determining the number of phenotypically similar colonies growing on an agar plate that must be analyzed in order to be confident of identifying all of the different strains present in the sample. If a specified number of colonies is picked from a plate on which the number of unique strains of bacteria is unknown, assigning a probability of correctly identifying all of the strains present on the plate is not a simple task. With Escherichia coli of avian cellulitis origin as a case study, a statistical model was designed that would delineate sample sizes for efficient and consistent identification of all the strains of phenotypically similar bacteria in a clinical sample. This model enables the microbiologist to calculate the probability that all of the strains contained within the sample are correctly identified and to generate probability-based sample sizes for colony identification. The probability of cellulitis lesions containing a single strain of E. coli was 95.4%. If one E. coli strain is observed out of three colonies randomly selected from a future agar plate, the probability is 98.8% that only one strain is on the plate. These results are specific for this cellulitis E. coli scenario. For systems in which the number of bacterial strains per sample is variable, this model provides a quantitative means by which sample sizes can be determined.

scholarly journals Quantifying within- and between-animal variation and uncertainty associated with counts of Escherichia coli O157 occurring in naturally infected cattle faeces

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (31) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E Robinson ◽  
P.E Brown ◽  
E.J Wright ◽  
C.A Hart ◽  
N.P French
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Microbial Count ◽  
Infected Cattle ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fixed And Random Effects ◽  
Cattle Faeces ◽  
Multiple Samples

Cattle faeces are considered the most important reservoir for human infection with Escherichia coli O157. We have previously described shedding of E. coli O157 in the faeces of naturally infected cattle cohorts. However, the data require further investigation to quantify the uncertainty and variability in the estimates previously presented. This paper proposes a method for analysing both the presence and the quantity of E. coli O157 in cattle faecal samples, using two isolation procedures, one of which enumerates E. coli O157. The combination of these two measurements, which are fundamentally different in nature and yet measuring a common outcome, has necessitated the development of a novel statistical model for ascertaining the contribution of the various components of variation (both natural and observation induced) and for judging the influence of explanatory variables. Most of the variation within the sampling hierarchy was attributable to multiple samples from the same animal. The contribution of laboratory-level variation was found to be low. After adjusting for fixed and random effects, short periods of increased intensity of shedding were identified in individual animals. We conclude that within-animal variation is greater than between animals over time, and studies aiming to elucidate the dynamics of shedding should focus resources, sampling more within than between animals. These findings have implications for the identification of persistent high shedders and for assessing their role in the epidemiology of E. coli O157 in cattle populations. The development of this non-standard statistical model may have many applications to other microbial count data.

scholarly journals The ZKIR Assay, a novel Real-Time PCR Method for the Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Closely Related Species in Environmental Samples

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Barbier ◽  
Carla Rodrigues ◽  
Geraldine Depret ◽  
Virginie Passet ◽  
Laurent Gal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Complex Matrices ◽  
Animal Pathogens ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Pcr Method

ABSTRACTKlebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is of growing public health concern due to the emergence of strains that are multidrug-resistant, virulent, or both. Taxonomically, Kp includes seven phylogroups, with Kp1 (K. pneumoniae sensu stricto) being medically prominent. Kp can be present in environmental sources such as soils and vegetation, which could act as reservoirs of animal and human infections. However, the current lack of screening methods to detect Kp in complex matrices limits research on Kp ecology. Here we analysed 4222 genome sequences and found that existing molecular detection targets lack specificity for Kp. A novel real-time PCR method, the ZKIR assay, was developed and used to detect Kp in 96 environmental samples. Results were compared to a culture-based method using SCAI agar medium coupled to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identification. Whole-genome sequencing of environmental Kp was performed. The ZKIR assay was positive for the 48 tested Kp reference strains, whereas 88 non-Kp strains were negative. The limit of detection of Kp in spiked soil microcosms was 1.5 × 10-1 CFU g-1 after enrichment for 24 h in LB supplemented with ampicillin, and 1.5 × 103 to 1.5 × 104 CFU g-1 directly after soil DNA extraction. The ZKIR assay was more sensitive than the culture method. Kp was detected in 43% of environmental samples. Genomic analysis of the isolates revealed a predominance of phylogroups Kp1 (65%) and Kp3 (32%), a high genetic diversity (23 MLST sequence types), a quasi-absence of antibiotic resistance or virulence genes, and a high frequency (50%) of O-antigen type 3. This study shows that the ZKIR assay is an accurate, specific and sensitive novel method to detect the presence of Kp in complex matrices, and indicates that Kp isolates from environmental samples differ from clinical isolates.IMPORTANCEThe Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex (Kp) includes human and animal pathogens, some of which are emerging as hypervirulent and/or antibiotic resistant strains. These pathogens are diverse and classified into seven phylogroups, which may differ in their reservoirs and epidemiology. Proper management of this public health hazard requires a better understanding of Kp ecology and routes of transmission to humans. So far, detection of these microorganisms in complex matrices such as food or the environment has been difficult due to a lack of accurate and sensitive methods. Here, we describe a novel method based on real-time PCR, which enables detection of all Kp phylogroups with high sensitivity and specificity. We used this method to detect Kp isolates from environmental samples, and show based on genomic sequencing that they differ in antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene content, from human clinical Kp isolates. The ZKIR PCR assay will enable rapid screening of multiple samples for Kp presence and will thereby facilitate tracking the dispersal patterns of these pathogenic strains across environmental, food, animal and human sources.

Potential pitfalls in the quantitative molecular detection ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 in environmental matrices

2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 482-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekka R.E Artz ◽  
Lisa M Avery ◽  
Davey L Jones ◽  
Ken Killham
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Soil System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Animal Wastes ◽  
Pcr Assays

The detection sensitivity and potential interference factors of a commonly used assay based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Escherichia coli O157:H7 using eae gene-specific primers were assessed. Animal wastes and soil samples were spiked with known replicate quantities of a nontoxigenic strain of E. coli O157:H7 in a viable or dead state and as unprotected DNA. The detection sensitivity and accuracy of real-time PCR for E. coli O157:H7 in animal wastes and soil is low compared to enrichment culturing. Nonviable cells and unprotected DNA were shown to produce positive results in several of the environmental samples tested, leading to potential overestimates of cell numbers due to prolonged detection of nonviable cells. This demonstrates the necessity for the specific calibration of real-time PCR assays in environmental samples. The accuracy of the eae gene–based detection method was further evaluated over time in a soil system against an activity measurement, using the bioluminescent properties of an E. coli O157:H7 Tn5luxCDABE construct. The detection of significant numbers of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) as well as nonviable and possibly physically protected cells as shown over a period of 90 days further complicates the use of real-time PCR assays for quick diagnostics in environmental samples and infers that enrichment culturing is still required for the final verification of samples found positive by real-time PCR methods.Key words: Escherichia coli O157:H7, real-time PCR, animal waste, soil, VBNC.

scholarly journals Distribution and Differential Survival of Traditional and Alternative Indicators of Fecal Pollution at Freshwater Beaches

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle D. Cloutier ◽  
Sandra L. McLellan
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Fecal Pollution ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Beach Sand ◽  
Differential Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Volume Comparison ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Alternative indicators have been developed that can be used to identify host sources of fecal pollution, yet little is known about how their distribution and fate compare to traditional indicators. Escherichia coli and enterococci were widely distributed at the six beaches studied and were detected in almost 95% of water samples (n = 422) and 100% of sand samples (n = 400). Berm sand contained the largest amount of E. coli (P < 0.01), whereas levels of enterococci were highest in the backshore (P < 0.01). E. coli and enterococci were the lowest in water, using a weight-to-volume comparison. The gull-associated Catellicoccus marimammalium (Gull2) marker was found in over 80% of water samples, regardless of E. coli levels, and in 25% of sand samples. Human-associated Bacteroides (HB) and Lachnospiraceae (Lachno2) were detected in only 2.4% of water samples collected under baseflow and post-rain conditions but produced a robust signal after a combined sewage overflow, despite low E. coli concentrations. Burdens of E. coli and enterococci in water and sand were disproportionately high in relation to alternative indicators when comparing environmental samples to source material. In microcosm studies, Gull2, HB, and Lachno2 quantitative PCR (qPCR) signals were reduced twice as quickly as those from E. coli and enterococci and approximately 20% faster than signals from culturable E. coli. High concentrations of alternative indicators in source material illustrated their high sensitivity for the identification of fecal sources; however, differential survival and the potential for long-term persistence of traditional fecal indicators complicate the use of alternative indicator data to account for the levels of E. coli and enterococci in environmental samples. IMPORTANCE E. coli and enterococci are general indicators of fecal pollution and may persist in beach sand, making their use problematic for many applications. This study demonstrates that gull fecal pollution is widespread at Great Lakes beaches, whereas human and ruminant contamination is evident only after major rain events. An exploration of sand as a reservoir for indicators found that E. coli was ubiquitous, while gull host markers were detected in only 25% of samples. In situ sand beach microcosms provided decay rate constants for E. coli and enterococci relative to alternative indicators, which establish comparative benchmarks that would be helpful to distinguish recent from past pollution. Overall, alternative indicators are useful for identifying sources and assessing potentially high health risk contamination events; however, beach managers should be cautious in attempting to directly link their detection to the levels of E. coli or enterococci.

scholarly journals Comparative Use of Quantitative PCR (qPCR), Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR), and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) in the Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) in Environmental Samples

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3507
Author(s):  
Mark A. Ibekwe ◽  
Shelton E. Murinda ◽  
Stanley Park ◽  
Amarachukwu Obayiuwana ◽  
Marcia A. Murry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Digital Pcr ◽  
Absolute Quantification ◽  
Droplet Digital Pcr ◽  
Recombinase Polymerase Amplification ◽  
High Rate ◽  
E Coli

E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that constitutes a global threat to human health. However, the quantification of this pathogen in food and environmental samples may be problematic at the low cell numbers commonly encountered in environmental samples. In this study, we used recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for the detection of E. coli O157:H7, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for quantification, and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for absolute and accurate quantification of E. coli O157:H7 from spiked and environmental samples. Primer and probe sets were used for the detection of stx1 and stx2 using RPA. Genes encoding for stx1, stx2, eae, and rfbE were used to quantify E. coli O157:H7 in the water samples. Furthermore, duplex ddPCR assays were used to quantify the pathogens in these samples. Duplex assay set 1 used stx1 and rfbE genes, while assay set 2 used stx2 and eae genes. Droplet digital PCR was used for the absolute quantification of E. coli O15:H7 in comparison with qPCR for the spiked and environmental samples. The RPA results were compared to those from qPCR and ddPCR in order to assess the efficiency of the RPA compared with the PCR methods. The assays were further applied to the dairy lagoon effluent (DLE) and the high rate algae pond (HRAP) effluent, which were fed with diluted DLE. The RPA detected was <10 CFU/mL, while ddPCR showed quantification from 1 to 104 CFU/mL with a high reproducibility. In addition, quantification by qPCR was from 103 to 107 CFU/mL of the wastewater samples. Therefore, the RPA assay has potential as a point of care tool for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 from different environmental sources, followed by quantification of the target concentrations.

Microbial Indicator Profiling of Fresh Produce and Environmental Samples from Farms and Packing Facilities in Northern Mexico

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 1197-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
NORMA HEREDIA ◽  
CINDY CABALLERO ◽  
CARMEN CÁRDENAS ◽  
KARINA MOLINA ◽  
RAFAEL GARCÍA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Microbial Indicators ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Northern Mexico ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Farm Production

ABSTRACT To compare microbiological indicator and pathogen contamination among different types of fresh produce and environmental samples along the production chain, 636 samples of produce (rinsates from cantaloupe melons, jalapeño peppers, and tomatoes) and environmental samples (rinsates from hands of workers, soil, and water) were collected at four successive steps in the production process (from the field before harvest through the packing facility) on 11 farms in northern Mexico during 2011 and 2012. Samples were assayed for enteric pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, other Shiga toxigenic E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes) and microbial indicators (coliforms, other E. coli strains, and Enterococcus spp.). Salmonella was the only pathogen detected; it was found in one preharvest jalapeño sample (detection limits: 0.0033 CFU/ml in produce and hand samples, 0.0013 CFU/ml in water, and 0.04 CFU/g in soil). Microbial indicator profiles for produce, worker hands, and soil from jalapeño and tomato farms were similar, but cantaloupe farm samples had higher indicator levels (P &lt; 0.05 for all comparisons) on fruit (6.5, 2.8, and 7.2 log CFU per fruit) and hands (6.6, 3.1, and 7.1 log CFU per hand) for coliforms, E. coli, and Enterococcus, respectively, and lower E. coli levels in soil (&lt;1 CFU/g). In water from tomato farms, E. coli indicators were significantly more prevalent (70 to 89% of samples were positive; P = 0.01 to 0.02), and geometric mean levels were higher (0.3 to 0.6 log CFU/100 ml) than those in cantaloupe farm water (32 to 38% of samples were positive, geometric mean &lt;1 CFU/100 ml). Microbial indicators were present during all production steps, but prevalence and levels were generally highest at the final on-farm production step (the packing facility) (P &lt; 0.03 for significant comparisons). The finding that microbial contamination on produce farms is influenced by produce type and production step can inform the design of effective approaches to mitigate microbial contamination.

scholarly journals The ZKIR Assay, a Real-Time PCR Method for the Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Closely Related Species in Environmental Samples

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Barbier ◽  
Carla Rodrigues ◽  
Geraldine Depret ◽  
Virginie Passet ◽  
Laurent Gal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Complex Matrices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Pcr Method

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae is of growing public health concern due to the emergence of strains that are multidrug resistant, virulent, or both. Taxonomically, the K. pneumoniae complex (“Kp”) includes seven phylogroups, with Kp1 (K. pneumoniae sensu stricto) being medically prominent. Kp can be present in environmental sources such as soils and vegetation, which could act as reservoirs of animal and human infections. However, the current lack of screening methods to detect Kp in complex matrices limits research on Kp ecology. Here, we analyzed 1,001 genome sequences and found that existing molecular detection targets lack specificity for Kp. A novel real-time PCR method, the ZKIR (zur-khe intergenic region) assay, was developed and used to detect Kp in 96 environmental samples. The results were compared to a culture-based method using Simmons citrate agar with 1% inositol medium coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry identification. Whole-genome sequencing of environmental Kp was performed. The ZKIR assay was positive for the 48 tested Kp reference strains, whereas 88 non-Kp strains were negative. The limit of detection of Kp in spiked soil microcosms was 1.5 × 10−1 CFU g−1 after enrichment for 24 h in lysogeny broth supplemented with ampicillin, and it was 1.5 × 103 to 1.5 × 104 CFU g−1 directly after soil DNA extraction. The ZKIR assay was more sensitive than the culture method. Kp was detected in 43% of environmental samples. Genomic analysis of the isolates revealed a predominance of phylogroups Kp1 (65%) and Kp3 (32%), a high genetic diversity (23 multilocus sequence types), a quasi-absence of antibiotic resistance or virulence genes, and a high frequency (50%) of O-antigen type 3. This study shows that the ZKIR assay is an accurate, specific, and sensitive novel method to detect the presence of Kp in complex matrices and indicates that Kp isolates from environmental samples differ from clinical isolates. IMPORTANCE The Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex Kp includes human and animal pathogens, some of which are emerging as hypervirulent and/or antibiotic-resistant strains. These pathogens are diverse and classified into seven phylogroups, which may differ in their reservoirs and epidemiology. Proper management of this public health hazard requires a better understanding of Kp ecology and routes of transmission to humans. So far, detection of these microorganisms in complex matrices such as food or the environment has been difficult due to a lack of accurate and sensitive methods. Here, we describe a novel method based on real-time PCR which enables detection of all Kp phylogroups with high sensitivity and specificity. We used this method to detect Kp isolates from environmental samples, and we show based on genomic sequencing that they differ in antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene content from human clinical Kp isolates. The ZKIR PCR assay will enable rapid screening of multiple samples for Kp presence and will thereby facilitate tracking the dispersal patterns of these pathogenic strains across environmental, food, animal and human sources.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document