Article
Microbiology
Xi Yang, Qian Liu, Hui Sun, Yanwen Xiong, Andreas Matussek, Xiangning Bai
Summary: This study identified Stx2l-STEC strains from raw mutton and beef in China, showing that these strains belonged to the same O8 serogroup with diverse host range and geographical distribution. Genomic analysis revealed genetic relatedness between human-derived and food-derived strains, highlighting the need for further investigation into the epidemiological traits and pathogenic potential of Stx2l-STEC strains.
Article
Microbiology
Xiangning Bai, Flemming Scheutz, Henrik Mellstrom Dahlgren, Ingela Hedenstrom, Cecilia Jernberg
Summary: A novel Stx2m subtype was identified in clinical E. coli strains isolated from Sweden and Denmark, showing functional cytotoxicity and macrolide resistance gene mdf (A). This finding expands the pool of Stx2 subtypes and underscores the clinical significance of emerging STEC variants. This study suggests including Stx2m in epidemiological surveillance and clinical diagnosis of STEC infections.
Article
Microbiology
Xi Yang, Yannong Wu, Qian Liu, Hui Sun, Ming Luo, Yanwen Xiong, Andreas Matussek, Bin Hu, Xiangning Bai
Summary: This study analyzed the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Stx2e-STEC strains from humans, animals, and meats in China, finding a high proportion of Stx2e-STEC among human STEC strains; animal and meat-derived Stx2e-STEC strains showed multidrug resistance, while human strains were only resistant to azithromycin and tetracycline; the study suggests that animal and food-derived Stx2e-STEC strains may pose a risk of causing human disease.
Article
Immunology
Maria Luana Gaudencio dos Santos Morais, Mayara Gilde Castro Santos, Cecilia Leite Costa, Conceicao Silva Martins, Renata Ferreira de Carvalho Leitao, Dvison de Melo Pacifico, Carlos Quesada-Gomez, Debora Castelo Branco, Eliane de Oliveira Ferreira, Gerly Anne de Castro Brito
Summary: The study found that the three isolated MLST Clade 2 strains are capable of forming biofilms, with the epidemic strain NAP1/027/ST01 having a significantly higher biofilm biomass compared to the others. There were differences in gene expression among the strains, with the toxigenic strains showing higher expression levels than ICC-45. Epidemic strains were inhibited by VAN and MTZ, while ICC-45 strain was not affected by the same concentrations of antibiotics.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Xi Yang, Qian Liu, Xiangning Bai, Bin Hu, Deshui Jiang, Hongbo Jiao, Liangmei Lu, Ruyue Fan, Peibin Hou, Andreas Matussek, Yanwen Xiong
Summary: Stx2k-STEC strains have been circulating in different sources in China. We found a high prevalence of Stx2k-STEC in goat herds. More than half of the strains were of the hybrid STEC/ETEC pathotype. Stx2k-STEC strains of specific serotypes have been widespread in goat herds for several years. Stx2k-converting prophages show a high level of similarity across geographical regions and time. The high prevalence of Stx2k-STEC in goats suggests a risk of cross-species spread and potential pathogenicity to humans. Further monitoring of human Stx2k-STEC infections is warranted.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Michelle Qiu Carter, Beatriz Quinones, Xiaohua He, Antares Pham, Diana Carychao, Michael B. Cooley, Chien-Chi Lo, Patrick S. G. Chain, Rebecca L. Lindsey, James L. Bono
Summary: Through comparative genomics and phenotypic characterization, this study assessed the pathogenic potential of Escherichia albertii strains isolated from wild birds in California. The results showed that these strains have high pathogenicity potential and could cause severe diseases in humans.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Veronique Sechet, Manoella Sibat, Gwenael Billien, Liliane Carpentier, Georges-Augustin Rovillon, Virginie Raimbault, Florent Malo, Sylvain Gaillard, Myriam Perriere-Rumebe, Philipp Hess, Nicolas Chomerat
Summary: The study isolated 30 clonal strains of dominant Dinophysis species from French coasts, confirming the existence of two subclades within the D. acuminata-complex and revealing toxin profile differences between them.
Article
Microbiology
Christina Lang, Angelika Fruth, Ian W. Campbell, Claire Jenkins, Peyton Smith, Nancy Strockbine, Francois-Xavier Weill, Ulrich Nuebel, Yonatan H. Grad, Matthew K. Waldor, Antje Flieger
Summary: STEC O104:H4 outbreak strain remains a global threat due to similar strains causing disease worldwide, but the diversification of O-antigens in ST678 strains has made their identification difficult. A rare STEC serotype, O181:H4, associated with HUS, was identified in Germany, and this strain is phylogenetically related to the STEC O104:H4 outbreak strain. Other serotypes belonging to ST678 were also identified from human clinical infections worldwide, including OX13:H4, O127:H4, OgN-RKI9:H4, O131:H4, and O69:H4.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Amparo Eccona Sota, Mariana Cap, Anabel Rodriguez, Natalia Szerman, Francisco Speroni, Sergio R. Vaudagna
Summary: This study demonstrated that the salt content and pressure levels in beef patty formulations have an impact on the inactivation of STEC. Beef patties with 1% salt content showed higher reductions in STEC, whereas patties with 10% and 20% fat content had similar STEC inactivation effects. After HPP treatment, the spoilage microbiota counts were below detection limit, regardless of the formulation.
FOOD AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xiangning Bai, Ji Zhang, Ying Hua, Cecilia Jernberg, Yanwen Xiong, Nigel French, Sture Lofgren, Ingela Hedenstrom, Anoop Ambikan, Sara Mernelius, Andreas Matussek
Summary: This study revealed the molecular characteristics of clinical STEC strains and identified genetic factors associated with severe clinical outcomes, contributing to the management and progression of STEC infections if confirmed by further functional validation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Biniam Moges, Degisew Yinur, Aliyi Hassen, Tesfaye Sisay Tessema
Summary: A rapid, effective, sensitive, and specific immunodiagnostic assay for STEC strain detection was developed in this study. The assay showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detecting STEC strains, including those in human feces. However, further studies are needed to improve the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Michelle Qiu Carter, Beatriz Quinones, Nicole Laniohan, Diana Carychao, Antares Pham, Xiaohua He, Michael Cooley
Summary: In this study, pathogenomic analyses were performed on STEC strains isolated from wild birds, revealing diverse virulence factors and high pathogenic potential in two avian strains.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fernando Sanchez, Veronica Fuenzalida, Romina Ramos, Beatriz Escobar, Victor Neira, Consuelo Borie, Lisette Lapierre, Paulina Lopez, Lucas Venegas, Phillip Dettleff, Timothy Johnson, Danny Fuentes-Castillo, Nilton Lincopan, Nicolas Galarce
Summary: This study investigated the presence and features of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in food samples collected in Chile, revealing the presence of international clones and sequence types commonly associated with human infections. The study also highlighted the convergence of virulence and resistance in STEC lineages circulating in Chile.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bin Hu, Xi Yang, Qian Liu, Yuanqing Zhang, Deshui Jiang, Hongbo Jiao, Ying Yang, Yanwen Xiong, Xiangning Bai, Peibin Hou
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in raw meats and characterized the meat-derived strains using whole genome sequencing. The results showed high contamination rates of STEC in retail raw meats, particularly raw mutton, and identified potential pathogenic strains. These findings highlight the critical need for increased monitoring of STEC in retail raw meats in China.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Taj Azarian, Eleonora Cella, Sarah L. Baines, Margot J. Shumaker, Carol Samel, Mohammad Jubair, David A. Pegues, Michael Z. David
Summary: Staphylococci producing exfoliative toxins are the main cause of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS). A study investigated an outbreak of SSSS in a neonatal intensive care unit using whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, identifying a particular methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strain. The global distribution of Staphylococcus aureus with lysogenized phi ETA was found to be highly structured, with some strains being methicillin-resistant, indicating that the increased incidence is linked to migration and expansion of existing lineages.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ivana Trbojevic, Aleksandra Markovic, Jelena Blazencic, Gordana Subakov Simic, Petra Nowak, Andreas Ballot, Susanne Schneider
Article
Limnology
Tor Erik Eriksen, Nikolai Friberg, John E. Brittain, Geir Soli, Andreas Ballot, Eirin Arstein-Eriksen, Tomas Adler Blakseth, Hans Fredrik Veiteberg Braaten
Summary: Freshwater ecosystems in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot are facing immediate threats due to habitat loss and species extinction. Monitoring systems to assess ecological status and biodiversity trends are crucially needed. This study in Myanmar aimed to evaluate the ecological and biodiversity status of a lowland river network through the use of macroinvertebrates as bioindicators, revealing major pressures such as urban land use, pollution inputs, and habitat degradation. The findings showed high perturbation in agricultural and urban areas, with declining ecological water quality and biodiversity along the pressure gradient, indicating unsustainable land-use practices in the region.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marit Mjelde, Thida Swe, Anders Langangen, Andreas Ballot
Summary: In Myanmar, Chara zeylanica is the most commonly found charophyte species, preferring to grow in calcareous lakes; while Chara fibrosa can be found in both highly and moderately alkaline lakes. These two species were only recorded in lakes with low human impact, with total phosphorous concentrations below 20 μg L-1.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Macarena Munoz, Samuel Cires, Zahara M. de Pedro, Jose Angel Colina, Yineth Velasquez-Figueroa, Javier Carmona-Jimenez, Angela Caro-Borrero, Anthony Salazar, Monica-Cecilia Santa Maria Fuster, David Contreras, Elvira Perona, Antonio Quesada, Jose A. Casas
Summary: The increasing occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms worldwide poses a significant threat to the environment and public health. The TALGENTOX project aims to address this challenge in countries with different environmental and social conditions, using a multidisciplinary approach combining ecology, water management, and technology fields. Further monitoring of cyanotoxins and development of preventive and corrective strategies are essential to manage the risks associated with toxic cyanobacteria in freshwaters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Masa Zupancic, Polona Kogovsek, Tadeja Ster, Spela Remec Rekar, Leonardo Cerasino, Spela Baebler, Aleksandra Krivograd Klemencic, Tina Elersek
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of qPCR detection method in identifying potentially toxic cyanobacteria in water bodies, showing its potential in improving risk assessment and enabling timely measures. The results indicated that qPCR could detect cyanotoxin production that traditional methods might miss, suggesting its usefulness in regular monitoring of water bodies.
Article
Water Resources
Stefano Brighenti, Michael Engel, Monica Tolotti, Maria Cristina Bruno, Geraldene Wharton, Francesco Comiti, Werner Tirler, Leonardo Cerasino, Walter Bertoldi
Summary: Rock glaciers are increasingly influencing the hydrology and water chemistry of Alpine catchments. Monitoring two rock glacier springs in the Eastern Italian Alps over three consecutive summers, researchers found that the springs exhibit contrasting hydrological conditions and fluctuations in water parameters at different timescales. Pond-like springs may indicate a seasonal window of major permafrost thaw.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Thida Swe, Paola Lombardo, Andreas Ballot, Jan-Erik Thrane, James Sample, Tor Erik Eriksen, Marit Mjelde
Summary: Inlay Lake in Myanmar is the country's second largest natural lake and is negatively impacted by increasing local human population, agriculture, and tourism. Surveys show that the lake has good water quality, but higher nutrient concentrations near the shore. The abundance of submerged macrophytes is crucial for water quality and clarity in the lake.
Article
Limnology
Thida Swe, Christopher O. Miles, Leonardo Cerasino, Marit Mjelde, Synne Kleiven, Andreas Ballot
Summary: Yezin Dam in Myanmar is facing water quality deterioration due to pollution, resulting in rich growth of cyanobacteria, with Dolichospermum being the dominant strain. Toxicity analysis revealed varying toxin production capabilities among different cyanobacterial strains.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chinnathambi Velu, Obulisamy Parthiba Karthikeyan, Diane L. Brinkman, Samuel Cires, Kirsten Heimann
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of pre-treatment conditions and subsequent methane production of Tolypothrix under outdoor cultivation conditions. Results showed that thermal, hydrothermal, and sonication pre-treatments supported high solubilization of organic compounds. However, high N-content and low C-content of the biomass affected methane recovery, and pre-treatment accelerated the production of volatile acids and ammonia-N accumulation, leading to poor methane yields. Calculated theoretical methane yields based on the elemental composition of the biomass were higher than actual yields, indicating the complexity of interactions during anaerobic digestion.
Article
Limnology
Daphne Donis, Evanthia Mantzouki, Daniel F. McGinnis, Dominic Vachon, Irene Gallego, Hans-Peter Grossart, Lisette N. de Senerpont Domis, Sven Teurlincx, Laura Seelen, Miquel Lurling, Yvon Verstijnen, Valentini Maliaka, Jeremy Fonvielle, Petra M. Visser, Jolanda Verspagen, Maria van Herk, Maria G. Antoniou, Nikoletta Tsiarta, Valerie McCarthy, Victor C. Perello, Danielle Machado-Vieira, Alinne Gurjao de Oliveira, Dubravka Spoljaric Maronic, Filip Stevic, Tanja Zuna Pfeiffer, Itana Bokan Vucelic, Petar Zutinic, Marija Gligora Udovic, Ludek Blaha, Rodan GeriS, Marketa Fankova, Kirsten Seestern Christoffersen, Trine Perlt Warming, Tonu Feldmann, Alo Laas, Kristel Panksep, Lea Tuvikene, Kersti Kangro, Judita Koreiviene, Jurate Karosiene, Jurate Kasperoviciene, Ksenija Savadova-Ratkus, Irma Vitonyte, Kerstin Haggqvist, Pauliina Salmi, Lauri Arvola, Karl Rothhaupt, Christos Avagianos, Triantafyllos Kaloudis, Spyros Gkelis, Manthos Panou, Theodoros Triantis, Sevasti-Kiriaki Zervou, Anastasia Hiskia, Ulrike Obertegger, Adriano Boscaini, Giovanna Flaim, Nico Salmaso, Leonardo Cerasino, Sigrid Haande, Birger Skjelbred, Magdalena Grabowska, Maciej Karpowicz, Damian Chmura, Lidia Nawrocka, Justyna Kobos, Hanna Mazur-Marzec, Pablo Alcaraz-Parraga, Elzbieta Wilk-Wozniak, Wojciech Krzton, Edward Walusiak, Ilona Gagala-Borowska, Joana Mankiewicz-Boczek, Magdalena Toporowska, Barbara Pawlik-Skowronska, Michal Niedzwiecki, Agnieszka Napiorkowska-Krzebietke, Julita Dunalska, Justyna Sienska, Daniel Szymanski, Marek Kruk, Agnieszka Budzynska, Ryszard Goldyn, Anna Kozak, Joanna Rosinska, Piotr Domek, Natalia Jakubowska-Krepska, Kinga Kwasizur, Beata Messyasz, Mikolaj Kokocinski, Beata Madrecka-Witkowska, Iwona Kostrzewska-Szlakowska, Magdalena Frak, Agnieszka Bankowska-Sobczak, Michal Wasilewicz, Agnieszka Ochocka, Agnieszka Pasztaleniec, Iwona Jasser, Ana M. Antao-Geraldes, Manel Leira, Vitor Vasconcelos, Joao Morais, Micaela Vale, Pedro M. Raposeiro, Vitor Goncalves, Boris Aleksovski, Svetislav Krstic, Hana Nemova, Iveta Drastichova, Lucia Chomova, Spela Remec-Rekar, Tina Elersek, Lars-Anders Hansson, Pablo Urrutia-Cordero, Andrea G. Bravo, Moritz Buck, William Colom-Montero, Kristiina Mustonen, Don Pierson, Yang Yang, Jessica Richardson, Christine Edwards, Hannah Cromie, Jordi Delgado-Martin, David Garcia, Jose Luis Cereijo, Joan Goma, Mari Carmen Trapote, Teresa Vegas-Vilarrubia, Biel Obrador, Ana Garcia-Murcia, Monserrat Real, Elvira Romans, Jordi Noguero-Ribes, David Parreno Duque, Elisabeth Fernandez-Moran, Barbara Ubeda, Jose Angel Galvez, Nuria Catalan, Carmen Perez-Martinez, Eloisa Ramos-Rodriguez, Carmen Cillero-Castro, Enrique Moreno-Ostos, Jose Maria Blanco, Valeriano Rodriguez, Jorge Juan Montes-Perez, Roberto L. Palomino, Estela Rodriguez-Perez, Armand Hernandez, Rafael Carballeira, Antonio Camacho, Antonio Picazo, Carlos Rochera, Anna C. Santamans, Carmen Ferriol, Susana Romo, Juan Miguel Soria, Arda Ozen, Tunay Karan, Nilsun Demir, Meryem Beklioglu, Nur Filiz, Eti Levi, Ugur Iskin, Gizem Bezirci, Ulku Nihan Tavsanoglu, Kemal Celik, Koray Ozhan, Nusret Karakaya, Mehmet Ali Turan Kocer, Mete Yilmaz, Faruk Maraslioglu, Elif Neyran Soylu, Ozden Fakioglu, Meral Apaydin Yagci, Sakir Cinar, Kadir Capkin, Abdulkadir Yagci, Mehmet Cesur, Fuat Bilgin, Cafer Bulut, Rahmi Uysal, Koker Latife, Reyhan Akcaalan, Meric Albay, Mehmet Tahir Alp, Korhan Ozkan, Tugba Ongun Sevindik, Hatice Tunca, Burcin Onem, Hans Paerl, Cayelan C. Carey, Bastiaan W. Ibelings
Summary: This study collected data from 230 lakes in Europe, finding that light climate and stratification strength are the main explanatory variables for phytoplankton biomass variance. In nutrient-rich lakes, light and stratification metrics are better predictors for phytoplankton biomass.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ulrike Obertegger, Giovanna Flaim, Stefano Corradini, Leonardo Cerasino, Tamar Zohary
Summary: Little is known about the dynamics of under-ice phytoplankton communities. A 6-year study in Lake Tovel, Italy, revealed differences in phytoplankton community composition between summer and under-ice seasons. Bacillariophyta dominated in summer, while Miozoa (class Dinophyceae) dominated under ice. Shifts in size classes were observed in Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Ochrophyta during the transition from summer to under ice, with the opposite pattern observed in Dinophyceae. No strong correlations were found between phytoplankton community composition and abiotic factors. It is suggested that inter-species relationships and more precise indicators of under-ice light should be considered for a better understanding of under-ice processes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Ortiz, Macarena Munoz, Jorge Garcia, Samuel Cires, Zahara M. de Pedro, Antonio Quesada, Jose A. Casas
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of using the photo-Fenton process for the removal of the cyanobacterial toxin Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) from freshwater. The study evaluates different conditions and confirms the effectiveness of the process in removing CYN, even in the presence of inorganic ions and dissolved organic carbon. The study also demonstrates that the catalytic system used in the process does not leave any residues after reaction.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Anne D. Jungblut, David Velazquez, Samuel Cires, Julia Kleinteich, Krishnan Kottekkatu Padinchati, Birgit Sattler, Jerome Comte
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Anne Lyche Solheim, Hege Gundersen, Ute Mischke, Birger Skjelbred, Jens C. Nejstgaard, Alexis L. N. Guislain, Erik Sperfeld, Darren P. Giling, Sigrid Haande, Andreas Ballot, S. Jannicke Moe, Susanne Stephan, Tim J. W. Walles, Andreas Jechow, Laetitia Minguez, Lars Ganzert, Thomas Hornick, Truls Hveem Hansson, Cleo N. Stratmann, Marko Jaervinen, Stina Drakare, Laurence Carvalho, Hans-Peter Grossart, Mark O. Gessner, Stella A. Berger
Summary: Lakes worldwide are affected by multiple stressors, including climate change and extreme weather events which lead to lake browning, nutrient enrichment, and deep mixing. The combined effects of these stressors on phytoplankton communities, particularly cyanobacterial blooms, are difficult to predict.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)