scholarly journals Iron encrustations on filamentous algae colonized by <i>Gallionella</i>-related bacteria in a metal-polluted freshwater stream

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 7705-7737
Author(s):  
J. F. Mori ◽  
T. R. Neu ◽  
S. Lu ◽  
M. Händel ◽  
K. U. Totsche ◽  
...  

Abstract. Filamentous macroscopic algae were observed in slightly acidic to circumneutral (pH 5.9~6.5) metal-rich stream water that leaked out in a former uranium-mining district (Ronneburg, Germany). These algae differ in color and morphology and were encrusted with Fe-deposits. To elucidate the potential interaction with Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB), we collected algal samples at three time points during summer 2013 and studied the algae-bacteria-mineral compositions via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and a 16S and 18S rRNA gene based bacterial and algae community analysis. Surprisingly, sequencing analysis of 18S rRNA gene regions of green and brown algae revealed high homologies with the yellow-green freshwater algae Tribonema (99.9~100%). CLSM imaging indicates a loss of active chloroplasts in the algae cells, which may be responsible for the change in color in Tribonema. Fe(III)-precipitates on algal cells identified as ferrihydrite and schwertmannite were associated with microbes and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)-like glycoconjugates. While the green algae were fully encrusted with Fe-precipitates, the brown algae often exhibited discontinuous series of precipitates. This pattern was likely due to the intercalary growth of algal filaments which allowed them to avoid fatal encrustation. 16S rRNA gene targeted studies based on DNA and RNA revealed that Gallionella-related FeOB dominated the bacterial RNA and DNA communities (70–97 and 63–96%, respectively) suggesting their contribution to Fe(II) oxidation. Quantitative PCR revealed higher Gallionella-related 16S rRNA gene copy numbers on the surface of green algae compared to the brown algae. The latter harbored a higher microbial diversity, including some putative predators of algae. Lower photosynthetic activities of the brown algae lead to reduced EPS production which may have enabled predator colonization. The differences observed between green and brown algae suggest that metal-tolerant Tribonema sp. provide suitable microenvironments for microaerophilic Fe-oxidizing bacteria. However, high levels of iron orchres can be fatal to the alga.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsegay Gebremariam ◽  
Zhiliang Tan

Abstract Purpose: Carbohydrate diets altered fermentation end-products and microbial community in the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of goats. Gastrointestinal contents used to determine the impact of carbohydrate feeds on fermentation end-products and microbial community in goats.Methodology: in the study goats were assigned to one of the two treatments corn meal (CM) or Corn gluten (CG) in a randomized block design (400 g/kg DM each). Goats were slaughtered, GIT liquids were used to determine dissolved gasses, fatty acids and microbial community.Results: Goats fed CG increased molar acetate (P < 0.05), lowered butyrate and propionate in the fore and hindgut comparing to those goats received CM. Goats received CM had higher (P < 0.05) dH2 while lowered dH2S in the fore and hindgut than those goats fed with CG treatment. The fore and hindgut had higher (P < 0.01) 16S rRNA gene copies of bacteria, protozoa, methanogens and 18S rRNA gene copies fungi than in the ileum and cecum. Goats fed CG diet had higher (P < 0.05)16S rRNA gene copies of bacteria, protozoa, methanogens, and 18S rRNA gene copies of fungi than those goats fed with CM diet. Conclusion fore and hindguts improved dissolved gasses, fatty acids and microbial community comparing with in the ileum and cecum. Goats fed CM had improved the Methanobacterials order and Methanobrevibacter genus as compared with those goats fed CG. The study suggested that hindgut segments have a reasonable contribution as foregut to methane emissions from goats.


2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiu-Fang Zhang ◽  
Hendrikus J Laanbroek

ABSTRACT Due to climate warming, tannin-rich Rhizophora mangle migrates into tannin-poor salt marshes, where the tannins interfere with the biogeochemistry in the soil. Changes in biogeochemistry are likely associated with changes in microbial communities. This was studied in microcosms filled with salt marsh soil and amended with leaf powder, crude condensed tannins, purified condensed tannins (PCT), all from senescent R. mangle leaves, or with tannic acid. Size and composition of the microbial communities were determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, high-throughput sequencing and real-time PCR based on the 16S and 18S rRNA genes. Compared with the control, the 16S rRNA gene abundance was lowered by PCT, while the 18S rRNA gene abundance was enhanced by all treatments. The treatments also affected the composition of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene assemblies, but the effects on the 18S rRNA gene were greater. The composition of the 18S rRNA gene, but not of the 16S rRNA gene, was significantly correlated with the mineralization of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Distinctive microbial groups emerged during the different treatments. This study revealed that migration of mangroves may affect both the prokaryotic and the eukaryotic communities in salt marsh soils, but that the effects on the eukaryotes will likely be greater.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 5277-5289 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Mori ◽  
T. R. Neu ◽  
S. Lu ◽  
M. Händel ◽  
K. U. Totsche ◽  
...  

Abstract. Filamentous macroscopic algae were observed in slightly acidic to circumneutral (pH 5.9–6.5), metal-rich stream water that leaked out from a former uranium mining district (Ronneburg, Germany). These algae differed in color and morphology and were encrusted with Fe-deposits. To elucidate their potential interaction with Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB), we collected algal samples at three time points during summer 2013 and studied the algae-bacteria-mineral compositions via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and a 16S and 18S rRNA gene-based bacterial and algae community analysis. Surprisingly, sequencing analysis of 18S rRNA gene regions of green and brown algae revealed high homologies with the freshwater algae Tribonema (99.9–100 %). CLSM imaging indicated a loss of active chloroplasts in the algae cells, which may be responsible for the change in color in


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307
Author(s):  
Sebastian Böttger ◽  
Silke Zechel-Gran ◽  
Daniel Schmermund ◽  
Philipp Streckbein ◽  
Jan-Falco Wilbrand ◽  
...  

Severe odontogenic abscesses are regularly caused by bacteria of the physiological oral microbiome. However, the culture of these bacteria is often prone to errors and sometimes does not result in any bacterial growth. Furthermore, various authors found completely different bacterial spectra in odontogenic abscesses. Experimental 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing analysis was used to identify the microbiome of the saliva and the pus in patients with a severe odontogenic infection. The microbiome of the saliva and the pus was determined for 50 patients with a severe odontogenic abscess. Perimandibular and submandibular abscesses were the most commonly observed diseases at 15 (30%) patients each. Polymicrobial infections were observed in 48 (96%) cases, while the picture of a mono-infection only occurred twice (4%). On average, 31.44 (±12.09) bacterial genera were detected in the pus and 41.32 (±9.00) in the saliva. In most cases, a predominantly anaerobic bacterial spectrum was found in the pus, while saliva showed a similar oral microbiome to healthy individuals. In the majority of cases, odontogenic infections are polymicrobial. Our results indicate that these are mainly caused by anaerobic bacterial strains and that aerobic and facultative anaerobe bacteria seem to play a more minor role than previously described by other authors. The 16S rRNA gene analysis detects significantly more bacteria than conventional methods and molecular methods should therefore become a part of routine diagnostics in medical microbiology.


Polar Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor E. Jackson ◽  
Ian Hawes ◽  
Anne D. Jungblut

AbstractThe undulating ice of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Southern Victoria Land, supports one of the largest networks of ice-based, multiyear meltwater pond habitats in Antarctica, where microbial mats are abundant and contribute most of the biomass and biodiversity. We used 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing to compare variance of the community structure in microbial mats within and between ponds with different salinities and pH. Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were the most abundant phyla, and composition at OTU level was highly specific for the meltwater ponds with strong community sorting along the salinity gradient. Our study provides the first detailed evaluation of eukaryote communities for the McMurdo Ice Shelf using the 18S rRNA gene. They were dominated by Ochrophyta, Chlorophyta and Ciliophora, consistent with previous microscopic analyses, but many OTUs belonging to less well-described heterotrophic protists from Antarctic ice shelves were also identified including Amoebozoa, Rhizaria and Labyrinthulea. Comparison of 16S and 18S rRNA gene communities showed that the Eukaryotes had lower richness and greater similarity between ponds in comparison with Bacteria and Archaea communities on the McMurdo Ice shelf. While there was a weak correlation between community dissimilarity and geographic distance, the congruity of microbial assemblages within ponds, especially for Bacteria and Archaea, implies strong habitat filtering in ice shelf meltwater pond ecosystems, especially due to salinity. These findings help to understand processes that are important in sustaining biodiversity and the impact of climate change on ice-based aquatic habitats in Antarctica.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Matsuoka ◽  
Takuya Shimizu ◽  
Tadanori Minagawa ◽  
Wakiko Hiranuma ◽  
Miki Takeda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bacteroides dorei is an anaerobic gram-negative bacterium first described in 2006. Because of the high similarity in mass spectra between B. dorei and Bacteroides vulgatus, discriminating between these species is arduous in clinical practice. In recent decades, 16S rRNA gene sequencing has been a complementary method for distinguishing taxonomically close bacteria, including B. dorei and B. vulgatus, at the genus and species levels. Consequently, B. dorei has been shown to contribute to some diseases, including type 1 autoimmune diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic diseases. However, there are no reports on invasive infectious diseases caused by B. dorei. This report describes the first case of direct invasion and colonisation of human tissue by B. dorei, thus providing a warning regarding the previously proposed application of B. dorei as a live biotherapeutic for atherosclerotic diseases. Case presentation A 78-year-old Japanese man complained of intermittent chest/back pain and was diagnosed with a mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysm by enhanced computed tomography on admission. Despite strict blood pressure control and empirical antibiotic therapy, the patient’s condition worsened. To prevent aneurysmal rupture and eliminate infectious foci, the patient underwent surgical treatment. The resected specimen was subjected to tissue culture and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis to identify pathogenic bacteria. A few days after the surgery, culture and sequencing results revealed that the pathogen was B. dorei/B. vulgatus and B. dorei, respectively. The patient was successfully treated with appropriate antibacterial therapy and after improvement, was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation on postoperative day 34. There was no recurrence of infection or aneurysm after the patient transfer. Conclusions This report describes the first case of invasive infectious disease caused by B. dorei, casting a shadow over its utilisation as a probiotic for atherosclerotic diseases.


2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1740-1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Dopheide ◽  
Gavin Lear ◽  
Rebecca Stott ◽  
Gillian Lewis

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 1899-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristan Barbeyron ◽  
Yannick Lerat ◽  
Jean-François Sassi ◽  
Sophie Le Panse ◽  
William Helbert ◽  
...  

A rod shaped, Gram-stain-negative, chemo-organotrophic, heterotrophic, strictly aerobic, non-gliding bacterium, designated strain PLRT, was isolated from faeces of the mollusc Aplysia punctata (Mollusca, Gastropoda) that had been fed with green algae belonging to the genus Ulva. The novel strain was able to degrade ulvan, a polysaccharide extracted from green algae (Chlorophyta, Ulvophyceae). The taxonomic position of strain PLRT was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain PLRT was dark orange, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.5 and in the presence of 2.5 % (w/v) NaCl with an oxidative metabolism using oxygen as the electron acceptor. Nitrate could not be used as the electron acceptor. Strain PLRT had a Chargaff’s coefficient (DNA G+C content) of 35.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of the 16S rRNA gene placed the novel strain in the family Flavobacteriaceae (phylum ‘Bacteroidetes’), within a clade comprising Stenothermobacter spongiae, Nonlabens tegetincola, Sandarakinotalea sediminis, Persicivirga xylanidelens and Persicivirga dokdonensis. The closest neighbours of strain PLRT were P. xylanidelens and P. dokdonensis, sharing 95.2 and 95.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. Phylogenetic inference and differential phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain PLRT represents a novel species of the genus Persicivirga, for which the name Persicivirga ulvanivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PLRT ( = CIP 110082T = DSM 22727T).


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilona A. Ruhl ◽  
Andriy Sheremet ◽  
Chantel C. Furgason ◽  
Susanne Krause ◽  
Robert M. Bowers ◽  
...  

GAL08 are bacteria belonging to an uncultivated phylogenetic cluster within the phylum Acidobacteria. We detected a natural population of the GAL08 clade in sediment from a pH-neutral hot spring located in British Columbia, Canada. To shed light on the abundance and genomic potential of this clade, we collected and analyzed hot spring sediment samples over a temperature range of 24.2–79.8°C. Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and qPCR using a primer set developed specifically to detect the GAL08 16S rRNA gene revealed that absolute and relative abundances of GAL08 peaked at 65°C along three temperature gradients. Analysis of sediment collected over multiple years and locations revealed that the GAL08 group was consistently a dominant clade, comprising up to 29.2% of the microbial community based on relative read abundance and up to 4.7 × 105 16S rRNA gene copy numbers per gram of sediment based on qPCR. Using a medium quality threshold, 25 single amplified genomes (SAGs) representing these bacteria were generated from samples taken at 65 and 77°C, and seven metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were reconstructed from samples collected at 45–77°C. Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI), these SAGs and MAGs represented three separate species, with an estimated average genome size of 3.17 Mb and GC content of 62.8%. Phylogenetic trees constructed from 16S rRNA gene sequences and a set of 56 concatenated phylogenetic marker genes both placed the three GAL08 bacteria as a distinct subgroup of the phylum Acidobacteria, representing a candidate order (Ca. Frugalibacteriales) within the class Blastocatellia. Metabolic reconstructions from genome data predicted a heterotrophic metabolism, with potential capability for aerobic respiration, as well as incomplete denitrification and fermentation. In laboratory cultivation efforts, GAL08 counts based on qPCR declined rapidly under atmospheric levels of oxygen but increased slightly at 1% (v/v) O2, suggesting a microaerophilic lifestyle.


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