High Levels Of Bacteria Research Articles

Association between untreated caries and cariogenic bacteria in adolescents in Taiwan

Background/purposeThere is a paucity of research focused on salivary bacteria analyzed through real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) among adolescents. The current study determined the quantity of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus (LB) in saliva obtained from Taiwanese adolescents and investigated the association between the oral bacteria and untreated dental caries. Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study recruited Taiwanese students aged 10−18. Saliva was collected using a Salivette kit and then analyzed through qPCR. The relative quantification values of SM and LB were coded based on mean fold ratios, with values > 2 coded as high and other values coded as low. Untreated dental caries was assessed through standard oral examinations. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between the levels of bacteria in the saliva of the study participants and the presence of untreated caries. ResultsThe study involved 421 adolescents. 56 (13.3%) had both SM and LB values of >2 and were coded as having high levels of bacteria, whereas the other 365 (86.7%) students were coded as having low levels. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents who had high combined salivary SM and LB levels had an odds ratio of having untreated dental caries of 2.05 (95% CI = 1.09, 3.86, P = 0.027) compared with those who had low salivary SM and LB levels. ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate that salivary SM and LB levels are significantly associated with adolescents having untreated caries.

Characteristics of Airborne Particles and Bacteria in Hospital Indoor and Outdoor Air

Introduction: Given that hospital air is one of the important environmental sources for transmission of microorganisms, the importance of airborne transmission in the epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) has gained attention in the past two decades. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the concentration of bacteria in association with airborne particulate matter (PM) in the outdoor and indoor air of two hospital wards. Materials and methods: The GRIMM 1.109 dust monitor and the Andersen one-stage viable impactor were used for particle counting and bioaerosol sampling, respectively. Results: The average levels of airborne bacteria sampled from outdoor air were 33 colony-forming units (CFU/m3), and in the air samples of medical and infectious disease wards, they were 76 and 85 CFU/m3, respectively. Staphylococcus spp. and Acinetobacter spp. were the most prevalent bacteria in the samples. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between PM2.5, and PM10 particle mass concentrations and airborne bacteria concentrations in indoor air samples (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Some bacterial agents of HAIs existed in hospital air and may be problematic for immunocompromised patients. Higher levels of bacteria in indoor air compared to outdoor air may indicate that the bacteria were of indoor origin, such as the presence and activities of people. Moreover, the results showed that particle counting may be a useful tool for airborne bacteria monitoring.

The Study of Water Quality in Poultry Farms in Ardestan, Iran

Introduction: The quality of drinking water is of vital importance in breeding chickens. High levels of bacteria, minerals, or other contaminants in the water of poultry farms can have adverse effects on the natural physiology of chickens. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the physical, chemical, and microbial quality of water used in poultry farms in Ardestan, Iran.
 Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on water sources (Wells and Qanats) of 35 poultry farms in Ardestan during the summer of 2021.Water samples were randomly taken and send to laboratory for analysis of physical, chemical, and microbial parameters according to Standard Methods. SPSS 16 software was applied for statistical analysis.
 Results: With the exception of sodium, sulfates, and total hardness (TH), all other parameters fell within acceptable standard limits. Some water samples showed elevated levels of total coliforms exceeding the prescribed limits. Furthermore, the mean concentrations of heavy metals, including iron, lead, chromium, and cadmium remained within acceptable levels in all samples.
 Conclusion: Although the majority of water quality parameters in the studied poultry farms were compatible with standards limits, testing and monitoring the chemical and microbial quality of water in poultry farms is recommended on a regular basis.

A membrane filtration method for the enumeration of Escherichia coli in bathing water and other waters with high levels of background bacteria.

The presence and level of faecal indicator bacteria are important factors in estimating the microbiological quality of surface water and the risk of human infection upon exposure to this water. Until 2014, ISO 9308-1:2000 was available and used to enumerate faecal indicator Escherichia coli in bathing water. In 2014, this ISO was technically revised and replaced by ISO 9308-1:2014. This ISO introduced a less selective method for enumeration of E. coli that allows non-specific growth from waters containing high levels of bacteria, such as surface waters. This implies that currently there is no suitable reference membrane filtration method for the compliance monitoring of official bathing sites for E. coli according to the European Bathing Water Directive. Here, the performance characteristics of three chromogenic culture media, namely Tryptone Bile X-glucuronide (TBX) agar, Chromogenic Coliform Agar (CCA), and CHROMagar E. coli/Coliform (ECC) were investigated at 44 °C for water with varying levels of bacteria according to ISO 13843:2017. Based on performance characteristics, colony counts, and practical usage, TBX appeared the most suitable culture medium for the enumeration of E. coli in bathing water and other waters with high levels of background bacteria, such as surface water in agricultural areas and wastewater discharge points.

Methods of processing recycled manure solids bedding on Midwest dairy farms I: Associations with bedding bacteria counts, milk quality, udder health and milk production

This observational study investigated the relationships between method of processing recycled manure solids (RMS) bedding and 1) bacteria counts in RMS bedding, 2) bacteria counts in bulk tank milk, and 3) udder health and milk production. A convenience sample of 29 farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin were recruited to represent 4 RMS processing systems; green (GRN, n = 7), anaerobic digestion (DIG, n = 6), composting (COM, n = 4), and hot air drying (DRY, n = 12). Premises were visited twice (summer/winter) to collect fresh bedding and bulk tank milk (BTM) samples for culture, test day records, and a herd management questionnaire.
 Coliform and Klebsiella spp. counts were lower, or tended to be lower in DRY, COM or DIG versus GRN RMS samples. Counts of Streptococci and Strep-like organisms (SSLO) were statistically or numerically lower in COM or DRY as compared to GRN or DIG RMS samples. Coliform and SSLO counts in BTM were lower, or tended to be lower, in DIG, COM or DRY as compared to GRN RMS samples. Test-day average linear score, proportion of cows with infection, and proportion of cows with chronic infection was lower, or tended to be lower, in herds using DRY or COM versus GRN RMS bedding. Average 305ME was higher, or tended to be higher, for herds using DRY versus GRN or DIG RMS. Adoption of COM or DRY processing could allow producers to mitigate the negative impacts of high bacteria levels in GRN RMS bedding, though more research is needed.

Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens Detected in Raw Pork and Poultry Meat in Retailing Outlets in Kenya.

There is increasing proof of bacterial resistance to antibiotics all over the world, and this puts the effectiveness of antimicrobials that have been essential in decreasing disease mortality and morbidity at stake. The WHO has labeled some classes of antimicrobials as vitally important to human health. Bacteria from animals are thought to be reservoirs of resistance genes that can be transferred to humans through the food chain. This study aimed to identify the resistance patterns of bacteria from pork and poultry meat samples purchased from leading retail outlets in Kenya. Of the 393 samples collected, 98.4% of pork and 96.6% of poultry were contaminated with high levels of bacteria. Among the 611 bacterial isolates recovered, 38.5% were multi-drug resistant. This resistance was noted for critically essential antimicrobials (according to the WHO) such as rifampicin (96%), ampicillin (35%), cefotaxime (9%), cefepime (6%), and ciprofloxacin (6%). Moreover, there was high resistance to key antimicrobials for veterinary medicine such as tetracycline (39%), sulfamethoxazole (33%), and trimethoprim (30%). It is essential to spread awareness about the judicious use of antibiotics and take preventive measures to reduce disease burden.

The oral microbiota and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most frequent endocrine conditions during pregnancy. GDM is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes and has implications for maternal health. Studies have demonstrated the link between pathogenic periodontal bacteria, glycemic control, and the risk of diabetes. The objective of the current study is to perform a mini-review of the available literature on the potential changes in the oral microbiota of women with GDM. The review was conducted by two independent reviewers (LLF and JDC). Indexed electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched, including articles published in English and Portuguese. A manual search was also performed to identify related articles. The oral microbial community of pregnant women with GDM is unique from that of healthy pregnant women. The majority of the alterations found in the oral microbiota of women with GDM point to a pro-inflammatory environment with high levels of bacteria associated with periodontitis (Prevotella, Treponema, anaerobic bacteria) and a depletion of bacteria associated with periodontal health maintenance (Firmicutes, Streptococcus, Leptotrichia). More well-designed studies differentiating between pregnant women with good oral health and those with periodontitis are needed to ascertain which differences are due to GDM or periodontitis.

Microbiological quality of irrigation water collected from vegetable farms in Sao Paulo, Brazil during the dry and rainy season

Irrigation water samples were collected from 69 farms in Sao Paulo during two rainy seasons and one dry season. Levels of culturable microorganisms were analyzed using direct plating technique, while levels of E. coli, Enterococci and Clostridium perfringens were determined using membrane filtration. Agroecosystem features including the incidence of manure stockpile, manure lagoon and livestock grazing, amongst others were observed and recorded. In the study area, groundwater (33%) was the most commonly exploited water resource for irrigating vegetables, while the least utilized resources were potable water (4%), streams (2%), lakes (2%) and domestic wastewater (2%). Other water resources exploited for irrigation in the area were farm ponds (21%), harvested rainwater (15%), canals (10%) and rivers (5%). The microbiological quality of water used to irrigate vegetables in the study area was variable depending on factors including source and treatment (chlorination) applied. The levels of culturable microorganisms recovered from the samples ranged between 11.0 and 1.7 log CFU/mL during the rainy and dry seasons, respectively, while the levels of E. coli, Enterococci and Clostridium perfringens detected in irrigation water samples were in the range of 0–6, 0 – 6.5, and 0 – 5.8 log CFU/100 mL, respectively. Irrigation water collected from farms that utilize surface waters such as canals and farm ponds generally contained higher levels of bacteria. In general, bacterial contamination varied among sources in the following order: surface water > groundwater > municipal water. Levels of bacteria detected in groundwater were comparatively low and in about 60% of the cases, for groundwater, no seasonal fluctuation in levels was observed. At the farms where seasonal fluctuations were observed for the levels of bacteria however, at least one potential source of fecal bacteria such as the presence of manure stockpile or livestock grazing was identified.

Influence of Market Type and Time of Purchase on Bacterial Counts and Salmonella and Listeria Prevalence in Whole Chickens in Vietnam

The objective of the current study was to determine the influence of market type and sampling time on Salmonella and Listeria prevalence and bacterial counts of 180 whole chicken carcasses collected from 6 supermarkets (SM), 6 indoor markets (IM), and 6 open markets (OM) in Vietnam, at opening (T0) and 4 h after the opening (T4). Salmonella and Listeria prevalence was at least 25.6% and 42.7%, respectively. Whole birds in IM had greater Salmonella prevalence than birds from both SM and OM by 28.4% and 23.0% (P = 0.006 and 0.022, respectively). Listeria prevalence was lower in whole chickens from SM, at 56.6%, than those in IM and OM (78.6% and 73.2%, P = 0.024 and 0.089, respectively). Whole chicken carcasses had more than 10.1, 7.5, and 9.4 log colony-forming units (CFU)/g of aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and coliforms, respectively. Both E. coli and coliform counts were greater in IM than in SM (P = 0.002 and 0.006). However, only E. coli counts differed between SM (7.7 log CFU/g) and OM (8.3 log CFU/g; P = 0.024). These results highlighted high levels of bacteria and high prevalence of Salmonella and Listeria in whole chickens in retail establishments in Vietnam, posing potential food safety and public health risks.

Sources of microbial contamination in the watershed and coastal zone of Soufriere, St. Lucia.

The Sustainable Development Goal 6 calls for global progress by 2030 in treating domestic wastewater and providing access to adequate sanitation facilities. However, meeting these goals will be a challenge for most Small Island Developing States, including Caribbean island nations. In the nearshore zone of the Soufriere region on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, there is a history of high levels of bacteria of fecal origin. Possible land-based sources of microbial contamination in the Soufriere Bay include discharges from the Soufriere River and transport of wastewater, including fecal material from the town of Soufriere. This area is an important tourist destination and supports a local fishery. To identify the sources of microbial contamination in Soufriere Bay, a range of monitoring methods were employed in this study. In grab samples of surface water collected from the Soufriere River, counts of total coliforms and Escherichia coli were elevated above water quality guidelines. However, the spikes in concentrations of these indicator organisms in the river did not necessarily coincide with the spikes in the levels of total coliforms and E. coli detected in samples collected on the same dates in Soufriere Bay, indicating that there are other sources of pollution in the Bay besides discharges from the river. Monitoring for chemical indicators of wastewater (i.e., caffeine, sucralose, fluconazole) in the Soufriere River indicated that there are inputs of sewage or human fecal material throughout the watershed. However, analysis of Bacteroidales 16S rRNA genetic markers for fecal bacteria originating from humans, bovine ruminants, or other warm-blooded animals indicated that the majority of microbial contamination in the river was not from humans. Monitoring for chemical indicators of wastewater using passive samplers deployed in Soufriere Bay indicated that there are two “hot spots” of contamination located offshore of economically depressed areas of the town of Soufriere. This study indicates that efforts to control contamination of Soufriere Bay by fecal microorganisms must include management of pollution originating from both sewage and domestic animals in the watershed.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10661-022-09862-4.

Microbial Occupational Exposure Assessments in Sawmills—A Review

The composition of airborne microflora in sawmills may vary to a great degree depending on the kind of timber being processed and the technology of production being used. Cases of allergy alveolitis and asthma have been reported in woodworkers who were exposed to wood dust largely infected with microorganisms. The aim of this review article is to identify studies where the microbial occupational exposure assessment was performed in sawmills and the characteristics of the contamination found, as well as to identify which sampling methods and assays were applied. This study reports the search of available data published regarding microbial occupational exposure assessment in environmental samples from sawmills, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) methodology. The most used sampling method was air sampling, impaction being the most common method. Regarding analytical procedures for microbial characterization, morphological identification of fungi and bacteria was the most frequent approach. Screening for fungal susceptibility to azoles was performed in two studies and four studies applied molecular tools. Regarding microbial contamination, high fungal levels were frequent, as well as high bacteria levels. Fungal identification evidenced Penicillium as the most frequent genera followed by Aspergillus sp. Mycotoxins were not assessed in any of the analyzed studies. Microbial occupational exposure assessment in sawmills is crucial to allow this risk characterization and management.

Microbiome shifts in sprouts (alfalfa, radish, and rapeseed) during production from seed to sprout using 16S rRNA microbiome sequencing

Sprouts harbor high levels of bacteria and have been implicated in massive outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The elucidation of microbial profiles in sprouts is important; however, little is known about the changes in the microbial composition during production. The present study aimed to define the microbial ecology of sprouts during the stages of production using 16S rRNA metagenome sequencing and culture-dependent methods. Samples of three types of sprouts (alfalfa, radish, and rapeseed) were collected from each stage of production (seed, soaking, germination 1 (Germ 1), germination 2 (Germ 2), sprouting, unwashed, and washed sprouts; n = 105) and subjected to microbiome analyses as well as quantitative and qualitative analyses. Aerobic plate count (APC) and coliforms levels significantly increased within one day (Germ 1) by 3.9–4.4 and 4.2–5.2 log CFU/g, respectively, and levels up to 8.0–9.0 and 6.9–9.0 log CFU/g, respectively, were recorded at the final stage. During production, the microbial communities in alfalfa sprouts simplified into Enterobacteriaceae (80.97–99.29%), whereas the radish and rapeseed sprouts were dominated by microbial communities belonging to two families, the Enterobacteriaceae (radish: 32–43.4%, rapeseed: 24.11–38.39%) and Pseudomonadaceae (radish: 30.53–46.45%, rapeseed: 41.51–57.34%). This suggests that the sprout manufacturing conditions could promote the growth of particular bacterium. Alpha diversity analysis revealed a diverse bacterial community structure in the seeds; however, the diversity sharply declined until Germ 1 and recovered during the production steps thereafter. Beta diversity results suggested that the pattern of microbial composition, and the major shifts in composition, differed by seed type. Significant changes in the bacterial community were observed during the soaking (alfalfa), Germ 1 (radish), and Germ 2 (rapeseed) stages. The present study is the first fundamental report to investigate microbial changes by during the various stages of the sprouting process. The results highlight the potential risk of sprouts regarding foodborne illness and facilitate the determination of effective intervention points during sprout production.

Peri-Implant Diseases and Gastrointestinal Diseases

Peri-implant diseases are serious problems that plagues today’s dentistry, both in terms of therapy and epidemiology. With the expansion of implantology practice and the increasing number of implants placed annually, the frequency of peri-implant diseases has greatly expanded. The clinical manifestations, in the absence of a globally established classification, are peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, the counterparts of gingivitis and periodontitis, respectively. However, many doubts remain about their features. Official diagnostic criteria, globally recognised by the dental community, have not yet been introduced. The review presented possible association between gastrointestinal diseases and peri-implant diseases. Previous studies had revealed the association with significantly higher levels of bacteria in patient’s gastrointestinal disease at either gingivitis or in periodontitis site. Additionally, pathogenesis of the periodontitis is similar to peri-implant diseases.

How dirty are the pens in health-care environment? An easily overlooked detail of hand hygiene

Pens, common in hospitals, may be a potential vehicle for cross-infection. In this study, the number of pathogens on different pens and the positive rates of several common multi-drug-resistant bacteria were calculated and compared according to the nature of use and material. In addition, the effect of pens on bacterial transmission was explored through simulation experiments. High levels of bacteria were found on pens and the simulations demonstrated transmission of bacteria.

Escherichia coli and coliform contamination of a primary and secondary use waterway in Clarksville, Arkansas

The existence of a live-chicken processing plant about 20 meters from a water source in Clarksville, Arkansas, raises concerns about bacteria contamination in the water. Over a period of three days, water samples from three different locations (upstream, across from the processing plant, and downstream) and for three different types of water at each location (running, stagnant in the middle, stagnant near bank) were collected in triplicate. Bacterial colonies were grown on 3M Escherichia coli/Coliform Petri-Film to identify and count E. coli, coliforms, and other Gram-negative bacteria. E. coli colonies were isolated and antibiotic resistance assays were performed for Ciprofloxacin and Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim. Coliform and other Gram-negative bacterial counts were higher across and downstream from the chicken processing plant as compared to upstream (p < 0.05). High levels of bacteria are not above EPA markers, but are still alarming for the community. There is no significant difference in E. coli antibiotic resistance among locations, but most colonies analyzed were resistant for one of the antibiotics, and no isolate gave a susceptible result, providing more evidence for the increase in antibiotic resistance in wild strains.

Metagenomic insights of the infant microbiome community structure and function across multiple sites in the United States

The gut microbiome plays an important role in early life, protecting newborns from enteric pathogens, promoting immune system development and providing key functions to the infant host. Currently, there are limited data to broadly assess the status of the US healthy infant gut microbiome. To address this gap, we performed a multi-state metagenomic survey and found high levels of bacteria associated with enteric inflammation (e.g. Escherichia, Klebsiella), antibiotic resistance genes, and signatures of dysbiosis, independent of location, age, and diet. Bifidobacterium were less abundant than generally expected and the species identified, including B. breve, B. longum and B. bifidum, had limited genetic capacity to metabolize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), while B. infantis strains with a complete capacity for HMOs utilization were found to be exceptionally rare. Considering microbiome composition and functional capacity, this survey revealed a previously unappreciated dysbiosis that is widespread in the contemporary US infant gut microbiome.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Clinical Translation.

The Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) are characterised by chronic non-resolving gut mucosal inflammation involving innate and adaptive immune responses. Neutrophils, usually regarded as first responders in inflammation, are a key presence in the gut mucosal inflammatory milieu in IBD. Here, we review the role of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation as a potential effector disease mechanism. NETs are extracellular webs of chromatin, microbicidal proteins and oxidative enzymes that are released by neutrophils to contain pathogens. NETs contribute to the pathogenesis of several immune-mediated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis; and recently, as a major tissue damaging process involved in the host response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. NETs are pertinent as a defence mechanism at the gut mucosal interphase exposed to high levels of bacteria, viruses and fungi. On the other hand, NETs can also potentiate and perpetuate gut inflammation. In this review, we discuss the broad protective vs. pathogenic roles of NETs, explanatory factors that could lead to an increase in NET formation in IBD and how NETs may contribute to gut inflammation and IBD-related complications. Finally, we summarise therapeutic opportunities to target NETs in IBD.

Small-bowel aspiration during upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy: Rao technique.

Small-bowel aspiration during upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy: Rao technique.

Impact of land uses, drought, flood, wildfire, and cascading events on water quality and microbial communities: A review and analysis

The increase in dynamic interactions between climate and human activities threatens water security in terms of water quantity and quality. Most water security studies have focused on water quantity compared to water quality, while both are equally important and vital for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and human well-being. The first part of the paper provides a review of the potential impacts of climate-related extreme events (i.e., drought, flood, and wildfires) on different water quality indicators and the potential impact of cascading extreme events (e.g., drought-flood regimes) on dynamics of water quality behavior. In the second part of the paper, we demonstrate the cascading impact of severe drought and an extreme historical flood event (October 1–4, 2015) in South Carolina (USA) on water quality variables. The effect of drought on water quality in contrasting land-use settings is investigated. Finally, water quality data was collected over a period of time in three types of land-use settings to study the dynamics of multiple flood and drought events on microbial communities. Flooding conditions result in high levels of bacteria associated with fecal contamination, especially in the stream setting, where large differences between drought and flooding occur in the microbial communities. The results highlight the significant impact of cascading events on water quality and microbial communities. The effect of drought on water quality indicators in different land-use settings can be different, highlighting the dominant role of watershed characteristics. Overall, it is essential to develop quantitative frameworks in the context of sustainability science to quantify the interaction between climate, watershed, and anthropogenic variables that control stream water quality. This study highlights the importance of understanding the relationships between extreme events and water quality indicators as an important step to improve ecosystem health and sustainability. Finally, some remarks are made on the knowledge gaps which need to be addressed in future studies.

Microbial community diversity of traditional dough starter (Jiaozi) from two provinces in northwest China

PurposeMicrobial community composition is crucial for the flavor and quality of fermented foods. However, the microbiota of Chinese traditional dough starter (Jiaozi) from different origins has scarcely been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in six Jiaozi collected from two provinces in northwest China.MethodsOur study determined the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in six Jiaozi through Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and the ITS regions.ResultA total of 234 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for bacteria and 490 OTUs for fungi were identified. Furthermore, Lactobacillus, Weissella, Acetobacter, Sphingomonas, and Serratia were identified as the predominant bacterial genera in Jiaozi samples, while Saccharomyces, Candida, Alternaria, unclassified Filobasidiales, and Mycosphaerella were the most abundant fungal genera. The results revealed that the six samples could be grouped into two groups based on their province of origin. In the results of PCA and HCA analysis, the first three principal components which were chosen could explain 99.93% and 90.99% of the total bacterial and fungal communities, respectively.ConclusionThe results indicated high levels of bacteria and fungi in traditional Jiaozi and highlighted the possible influence of geographic areas on microbial diversity.