Draft Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Bifidobacterium dentium Isolated from a Crude Fecal Extract Used for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Republic of Korea

ABSTRACT We present the draft genome sequences of two Bifidobacterium dentium strains isolated from a fecal extract for fecal microbiota transplantation at a hospital in the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic and functional analyses were performed to understand the physiological characteristics and functions of Bifidobacterium spp. in the human intestine.

Fecal Cortisol and Progesterone Concentrations in Post Partus of Etawah Crossbreed Goat

Progesterone (P4) is a dominant hormone during pregnancy. In the later stage of pregnancy, the stress hormone particularly cortisol (C) may increase for initiating the parturition process as a consequence of fetal stress. This study was a preliminary study to compare the concentration of P4 and C in feces of Etawah Crossbreed Goat during their last stage of pregnancy and post partus. This study used 5 pregnant Etawah Crossbreed Goats (t 20th weeks) of pregnancy. Fecal samples were collected in the 20th week of pregnancy to 2 weeks of postpartum. All fecal samples were then dried using a freeze dryer (Labfreez FD10-MR) for 7 days at -80°C. Afterward, dried feces were pulverized and extracted by using 3ml of methanol 80%. The fecal extract was then analyzed the P4 and C concentrations using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Concentrations of P4 and C metabolites in the last stage of pregnancy were 5,506.18 3,396.72 ng/g dry feces and 136,625.83 42,479.22 ng/g feces, respectively. Concentrations of P4 and C metabolites in the 2 weeks postpartum decreased at 669.38 P 643.9 ng/g feces and 110,295 / 14,378, 8 ng/g feces, respectively. It canbe concluded that there was a difference in the fecal progesterone and cortisol concentrations between the last phase of pregnancy and the postpartum phase.

Gut bacteria mediate aggregation in the German cockroach

Aggregation of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is regulated by fecal aggregation agents (pheromones), including volatile carboxylic acids (VCAs). We demonstrate that the gut microbial community contributes to production of these semiochemicals. Chemical analysis of the fecal extract of B. germanica revealed 40 VCAs. Feces from axenic cockroaches (no microorganisms in the alimentary tract) lacked 12 major fecal VCAs, and 24 of the remaining compounds were represented at extremely low amounts. Olfactory and aggregation bioassays demonstrated that nymphs strongly preferred the extract of control feces over the fecal extract of axenic cockroaches. Additionally, nymphs preferred a synthetic blend of 6 fecal VCAs over a solvent control or a previously identified VCA blend. To test whether gut bacteria contribute to the production of fecal aggregation agents, fecal aerobic bacteria were cultured, isolated, and identified. Inoculation of axenic cockroaches with individual bacterial taxa significantly rescued the aggregation response to the fecal extract, and inoculation with a mix of six bacterial isolates was more effective than with single isolates. The results indicate that the commensal gut microbiota contributes to production of VCAs that act as fecal aggregation agents and that cockroaches discriminate among the complex odors that emanate from a diverse microbial community. Our results highlight the pivotal role of gut bacteria in mediating insect–insect communication. Moreover, because the gut microbial community reflects the local environment, local plasticity in fecal aggregation pheromones enables colony-specific odors and fidelity to persistent aggregation sites.

Comparative Efficacy of Seven Hand Sanitizers against Murine Norovirus, Feline Calicivirus, and GII.4 Norovirus†

Contaminated hands or inanimate surfaces can act as a source of infection during outbreaks of human norovirus infection. We evaluated the virucidal efficacy of seven hand sanitizers containing various active ingredients, such as ethanol, triclosan, and chlorhexidine, and compared their effectiveness against feline calicivirus (FCV), murine norovirus (MNV), and a GII.4 norovirus fecal extract. We also tested the efficacy of 50, 70, and 90% of ethanol and isopropanol. Reduction of viral infectivity was measured by plaque assay, and the number of genomic copies was determined with a TaqMan real-time reverse transcription PCR assay. Based on the results of a quantitative suspension test, only one ethanol-based product (72% ethanol, pH 2.9) and one triclosan-based product (0.1% triclosan, pH 3.0) reduced the infectivity of both MNV and FCV (by >2.6 and ≥3.4 log units, respectively). Four of the seven products were effective against either MNV or FCV, whereas chlorhexidine was ineffective against both viruses. For these hand sanitizers, no correlation was found between reduced infectivity and decline of viral RNA. Ethanol and isopropanol concentrations ≥70% reduced the infectivity of MNV by ≥2.6 log units, whereas 50 and 70% ethanol reduced the infectivity of FCV by ≥2.2 log units after exposure for 5 min. The susceptibility of FCV to low pH and the relative high susceptibility of MNV to alcohols suggest that both surrogate viruses should be considered for in vitro testing of hand sanitizers.