Fecal Microorganisms Research Articles

Geochemistry and microbial diversity of cave waters in the gypsum karst aquifers of Emilia Romagna region, Italy

Fifty-seven control points of waters (sinking streams, rivers in caves, and resurgences) hosted in gypsum karst areas in Emilia Romagna region (N-Italy) were sampled in the framework of a Project LIFE+08NAT/IT/000369 “Gypsum” in the period 2010–2014. The microbiology and chemistry of these waters have been analyzed to evaluate the impact of human activities or natural factors, in the gypsum karst systems. Waters have been analyzed for major chemistry (Ca, Mg, Na, K, SO4, HCO3, Cl, NO3) and some minor constituents (F, Br, NH4 and PO4), measuring pH, electric conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature (T) in situ. The same samples have been analyzed with traditional microbiology techniques focused on total microbial count and on fecal microbiota, as index of human and/or animal contamination, and molecular biology techniques (sequencing of 16S rRNA segment and PCR-DGGE), focused on the characterization of microbial populations in the different sampling sites and determination of their variations and/or changes during the five years of the project. As expected, waters tend to be increasingly mineralized from sinking streams to resurgences, with only local and temporarily high contents in nitrates and ammonium, often related to the presence of bat colonies. PCR-DGGE revealed ecological changes, in terms of microbial populations present in the bulk water samples, in different sampling sites within the same cave. Although the impact of fecal microorganisms only rarely exceeded 2 log UFC/ml, the results evidenced fluctuations of these microorganisms mainly correlated to the season and to the biological activity of bats.

Fecal microbiota transplantation

The human intestinal microbiome has important metabolic and immunological functions for the host and is part of the defense against pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Antibiotics, probiotics, dietary measures, such as prebiotics, and the relatively newly established method of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT, also known as fecal microbiome transfer) all influence the intestinal microbiome. The FMT procedure comprises the transmission of fecal microorganisms from a healthy donor into the gastrointestinal tract of apatient. The aim of this intervention is to restore anormal microbiome in patients with diseases associated with dysbiosis. The only indication for FMT is currently multiple recurrence of Clostridium difficile infections. Approximately 85% of affected patients can be successfully treated by FMT compared to only about 30% treated conventionally with vancomycin. Other possible therapeutic applications are chronic inflammatory and functional bowel diseases, insulin resistance and morbid obesity but these have to be evaluated further in clinical trials. Knowledge on the optimal donor, the best dosage and the most appropriate route of administration is still limited. Acareful donor selection is necessary. The implementation of FMT in Germany is subject to the Medicines Act (Arzneimittelgesetz, AMG) with a duty of disclosure and personal implementation by the attending physician. By documentation in acentral register long-term effects and side effects of FMT have to be evaluated.

Retention and survival of E. coli in stormwater biofilters: Role of vegetation, rhizosphere microorganisms and antimicrobial filter media

The public health risks associated with pathogens in urban stormwater have been well established, making it necessary to ensure adequate treatment of the stormwater before it is discharged into recreational water bodies or is harvested for reuse. Biofilters, also known as stormwater bioretention systems or raingardens, have shown promising, yet variable, results in reducing indicator bacteria in stormwater. Different biofilter design elements, such as filter media composition and vegetation type, have been found to cause this variable removal performance. Although plants play a key role in the treatment of pollutants, relatively little work has been conducted to understand the importance of interactions between vegetation and the biofilter microbial community on fecal microbial removal. A laboratory-scale biofilter experiment was conducted using Escherichia coli as the test fecal microorganism. Biofilter columns with differing soil media and vegetation types were dosed over a two month span, during which inflow and outflow samples were collected to evaluate system performance. The columns were then decommissioned to collect rhizosphere and bulk soil samples. Root exudates were extracted and used in an E. coli survival study to evaluate their contribution to system performance. The study demonstrated that the antagonistic effects of root exudates/rhizosphere microbes and Cu2+ exchanged zeolite antimicrobial filter media adversely impact the survival of E. coli retained within stormwater biofilters. Furthermore, leaf and flower/seed extracts of L. continentale showed some potential antibacterial activity against E. coli. This work supports the concept that natural processes in biological systems can deliver effective results in the removal of fecal microorganisms, and should be promoted to the extent possible in stormwater green infrastructure.

Balancing water-quality threats from nutrients and production in Australian and New Zealand dairy farms under low profit margins

The loss of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from dairy-farmed land can impair water quality. Efforts to curtail these losses in Australia and New Zealand (Australasia) have involved a mixture of voluntary and regulatory approaches. In the present paper, we summarise the losses of N and P from Australasian dairy farms, examine the policy drivers used for mitigating losses and evaluate the effectiveness of contrasting approaches to implementing mitigations. Median losses for N and P were 27 and 1.6 kg/ha.year respectively, with a wide range of variation (3–153 kg N/ha.year and 0.3–69 kg P/ha.year) caused by a complex array of climate, soil types, flow paths, nutrient surpluses and land management factors. This complexity, coupled with the variable implementation of measures to mitigate losses, means that many voluntary programs to decrease losses have had uncertain or limited success. Although there is little or no formal regulation in Australia, regulation exists in New Zealand that requires regional authorities to implement the best strategy to improve water quality according to regional-specific characteristics. In testing a generalised approach to mitigation (priority given to those that are easy to implement) in four regions in New Zealand, we found that P could be mitigated quite cheaply, but N reductions required more measures, some of which are costly. Conversely, prioritising on the basis of mitigation cost-effectiveness for a specific nutrient will lead to more rapid reductions in losses of the target nutrient, but with fewer co-benefits for the non-target nutrient or other water pollutants, such as faecal microorganisms and sediment. This information will assist farmers in deciding how to meet a catchment target at least cost.

The Relationship between Hydro-Climatic Variables and <em>E. coli</em> Concentrations in Surface and Drinking Water of the Kabul River Basin in Pakistan

Microbial water contamination is a risk for human health, as it causes waterborne diseases like diarrhea. <em>E. coli</em> is a faecal indicator microorganism. Climate variables, such as temperature and precipitation, influence <em>E. coli</em> concentrations in surface and drinking water resources. We measure and statistically analyse <em>E. coli </em>concentrations in drinking and surface water in the Kabul River Basin. <em>E. coli</em> concentrations are very high in the basin. Drinking and bathing water standards are violated. Water temperature, surface air temperature, discharge and precipitation were positively correlated with <em>E. coli</em> concentrations. Precipitation induced runoff transports of <em>E. coli</em> from agricultural lands to Kabul River and high temperature coincides with high precipitation and discharge. A linear regression model was developed to assess the net effect of the climate variables on <em>E. coli</em> concentrations. We found that climate variables accounted for more than half of the observed variation in <em>E. coli</em> concentrations in surface (R² = 0.61) and drinking water (R² = 0.55). This study indicates that increased precipitation together with higher surface air temperature, as expected in this region with climate change, were significantly correlated with increased <em>E. coli</em> concentrations in the future. Waterborne pathogens are expected to respond similarly to hydro-climatic changes, indicating that disease outbreaks could well become more frequent and severe.

Evaluation of Fecal Indicators and Pathogens in a Beef Cattle Feedlot Vegetative Treatment System.

Runoff from open-lot animal feeding areas contains microorganisms that may adversely affect human and animal health if not properly managed. One alternative to full manure containment systems is a vegetative treatment system (VTS) that collects runoff in a sediment basin and then applies it to a perennial vegetation (grass) treatment area that is harvested for hay. Little is known regarding the efficacy of large-scale commercial VTSs for the removal of microbial contaminants. In this study, an active, pump-based VTS designed and built for a 1200-head beef cattle feedlot operation was examined to determine the effects of repeated feedlot runoff application on fecal indicator microorganisms and pathogens over short-term (2 wk) and long-term (3 yr) operations and whether fecal bacteria were infiltrating into deeper soils within the treatment area. In a short-term study, fecal bacteria and pathogen numbers declined over time in soil. Measurements of total coliforms and Enterococcus counts taken on control soils were not effective as fecal indicators. The repeated application of manure-impacted runoff as irrigation water did not enrich the pathogens or fecal indicators in the soil, and no evidence was seen to indicate that pathogens were moving into the deeper soil at this site. These results indicate that large-scale, active VTSs reduce the potential for environmental contamination by manure-associated bacteria. Also, this study has implications to full-containment systems that apply runoff water to land application areas (cropland) and the fate of pathogens in the soils of land application sites.

The Relationship between Hydro-Climatic Variables and &lt;em&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt; Concentrations in Surface and Drinking Water of the Kabul River Basin in Pakistan

Microbial water contamination is a risk for human health, as it causes waterborne diseases like diarrhea. E. coli is a faecal indicator microorganism. Climate variables, such as temperature and precipitation, influence E. coli concentrations in surface and drinking water resources. We measure and statistically analyse E. coli concentrations in drinking and surface water in the Kabul River Basin. E. coli concentrations are very high in the basin. Drinking and bathing water standards are violated. Water temperature, surface air temperature, discharge and precipitation were positively correlated with E. coli concentrations. Precipitation induced runoff transports of E. coli from agricultural lands to Kabul River and high temperature coincides with high precipitation and discharge. A linear regression model was developed to assess the net effect of the climate variables on E. coli concentrations. We found that climate variables accounted for more than half of the observed variation in E. coli concentrations in surface (R2 = 0.61) and drinking water (R2 = 0.55). This study indicates that increased precipitation together with higher surface air temperature, as expected in this region with climate change, were significantly correlated with increased E. coli concentrations in the future. Waterborne pathogens are expected to respond similarly to hydro-climatic changes, indicating that disease outbreaks could well become more frequent and severe.

Effluent Disinfection of Real Wastewater by Ag–TiO₂ Nanoparticles Photocatalysis.

Currently pathogen microorganisms, presents in wastewater, are more resistant to conventional disinfection process, due to its constant change induced for the antibiotic for human diseases. One of the new options for the pathogen microorganisms is the heterogeneous photocatalysis, which has been used for remove microorganism, but never in real wastewater effluent. This paper shown the synthesis of Ag–TiO₂ nanoparticles, its physical characterization was carried out by TEM, SEM, S-BET, XPS and band gap measurement by UV-vis spectroscopy showing that Ag–TiO₂ are spherical particles with sizes around 50 nm with 1 and 10 %w of Ag, and a significant decrease in the band gap. The disinfection system was illuminated using the solar radiation of a spring day at Querétaro, Mexico, in lapses from 11:00 am to 03:00 pm; the microbiological tests were performed according to the Official Mexican Norm (NOM-003-SEMARNAT-1996), the results shows that after 3 hours of solar photocatalysis disinfection process the material 1 %w Ag–TiO₂ at 0.2 gL⁻¹, removes the fecal and total coliform microorganisms from effluent, leaving Enterobacter, Escherichia, Citrobacter, Salmonella and Klebsiella microorganisms alive due to its capability of reactivation.

Characterization of Enterococci, Salmonella Spp., and Generic Escherichia Coli Isolated From the Feces of Cattle Fed Rations with and without Tylosin Phosphate

ObjectivesIn finishing beef cattle, the use of Tylosin phosphate, a macrolide, to control liver abscesses has been the subject of extensive scrutiny relative to antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella spp., generic Escherichia coli, and Enterococci isolated from the feces of feedlot cattle fed finishing rations with and without Tylosin phosphate.Materials and MethodsPens of crossbred cattle representing conventional and “natural” production systems were identified after feedlot arrival (n = 8 pens/system; n = 2210 conventional and 1656 “natural”). Cattle were processed and managed identically with the exception of Tylosin phosphate utilization—only cattle in the conventional pens were supplemented with Tylosin phosphate (90 mg/d; Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN). Approximately 12 wk after arrival, fecal samples were collected from the floors of each pen. Approximately 25 g of composited fecal sample from each pen was diluted with 225 mL of tryptic soy broth (TSB) for enumeration and enrichment. The remaining fecal sample was frozen and stored for later metagenomic analyses. Samples for enumeration were diluted and plated onto Enterococcosel (EC) or MacConkey (MC) agars and incubated for 24 (MC) or 48 (EC) h at 43°C before enumeration of Enterococci or E. coli colonies. Samples for enrichment were incubated at 37°C for 24 h before plating onto EC or MC agars and incubation as described above for isolation of Enterococci and E. coli. Additionally, samples for Salmonella isolation were further enriched in tetrathionate (TT) or Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) broths at 43°C for 24 h. Following secondary enrichment, RV and TT samples were plated onto xylose-lysine-tergitol-4 (XLT-4) and brilliant green sulfa (BGS) agars and incubated at 43°C for 24 h. Representative colonies from EC, MC, XLT-4, and BGS agars were streaked, twice, onto selective agars and incubated as described above. Confirmation of isolate etiology and susceptibility of isolates to AMDs was performed using standardized procedures.ResultsEnumeration of fecal microorganisms indicates similarity (P = 0.89) in the populations of generic E. coli in cattle feces; however, the data suggest higher populations of Enterococci in fecal samples collected from cattle belonging to a “natural” production system. Conversely, the prevalence of Salmonella was higher (P < 0.05) in the pen fecal samples of cattle in conventional pens (25%) versus those in “natural” pens (0%). The susceptibility of isolates to AMDS indicates that production system—and the use of Tylosin specifically—has an observable impact on the microorganism characteristics.ConclusionThe data suggest indicate populations of Enterococci are higher in the feces of cattle fed in conventional production systems versus those finished in a “natural” system. As macrolide-resistant Enterococci from cattle are suspected in facilitating the co-selection of enterococci that are resistant to other macrolides (including erythromycin), these differences yield key insights into the influence production system (i.e., Tylosin inclusion) on resistance acquisition. These data will aid in determining the impact of macrolide use in beef production on the acquisition and expression of AMR determinants.

Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin-treated SPF mice as gnotobiotic model

The experiment was carried out on 24 SPF BALB/c female mice and lasted for 15days with a 5-day antibiotic (ATB) treatment and then 10days without ATB treatment. The aim of our study was to acquire an animal model with reduced and controlled microflora and, at the same time, to ensure that the good health of these animals is maintained. Per oral administration of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium in Amoksiklav (Sandoz, Slovenia) at a dose of 387.11mg/kg body weight (0.2ml of dilution per mouse) and subcutaneous administration of ciprofloxacin in Ciloxan (Alcon, Spain) at a dose of 18.87mg/kg body weight (0.1ml of dilution per mouse) were performed every 12h during first 5days of experiment. Five-day treatment with ATB led to a reduced survivability of microorganisms in faeces (28.33±0.43% on day 2) and caecum content (28.10±1.56%), where no cultivable microorganisms in faeces were present. Ten-day convalescence of decontaminated animals under gnotobiotic conditions prevented recovery of species diversity in mice gut microflora. This was reduced to two detectable cultivable species, namely Escherichia coli (GenBank KX086704) and Enterococcus sp. (GenBank KX086705) which were capable to restore its metabolic (CRL 2012) and morphological potential (Baratta et al. Histochem Cell Biol 131:713-726, 2009) within physiological range. Animals obtained under this procedure can be used in further studies. As a result, we created a mouse gnoto model with reduced and controlled microflora without alteration of the overall health status of the respective animals.

The Interplay Between Predation, Competition, and Nutrient Levels Influences the Survival of Escherichia coli in Aquatic Environments.

Nutrient levels, competition from autochthonous microorganisms, and protozoan predation may all influence survival of fecal microorganisms as they transition from the gastrointestinal tract to aquatic habitats. Although Escherichia coli is an important indicator of waterborne pathogens, the effects of environmental stressors on its survival in aquatic environments remain poorly understood. We manipulated organic nutrient, predation, and competition levels in outdoor microcosms containing natural river water, sediments, and microbial populations to determine their relative contribution to E. coli survival. The activities of predator (protozoa) and competitor (indigenous bacteria) populations were inhibited by adding cycloheximide or kanamycin. We developed a statistical model of E. coli density over time that fits with the data under all experimental conditions. Predation and competition had significant negative effects on E. coli survival, while higher nutrient levels increased survival. Among the main effects, predation accounted for the greatest variation (40%) compared with nutrients (25%) or competition (15%). The highest nutrient level mitigated the effect of predation on E. coli survival. Thus, elevated organic nutrients may disproportionately enhance the survival of E. coli, and potentially that of other enteric bacteria, in aquatic habitats.

Combination of antibiotics suppressed the increase of a part of ARGs in fecal microorganism of weaned pigs.

The presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is one of the most important public health concerns. Six tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs-tetA, tetC, tetL, tetO, tetW, and tetX) were quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in the fecal microorganisms of weaned pigs. Two hundred 35-day-old weaned pigs were fed different dietary antibiotics for 28days: (1) no antibiotic as the control treatment (CT); (2) chlortetracycline, bacitracin zinc and colistin sulfate (CBC); (3) bacitracin zinc and colistin sulfate (BC); and (4) chlortetracycline (CTC). The detection frequencies (DFs) of tetC, tetL, and tetW were 100%; and the DFs of tetA, tetD, tetM, tetO, and tetX were 65%. The relative abundances (tet/16S rRNA gene copy numbers) of six tet genes (tetA, tetC, tetL, tetO, tetW and tetX) were between 1.5×10(-4) and 2.0×10(-1). In the group CTC, the relative abundances of tetC (P<0.01), tetL (P<0.01), tetO (P<0.05), tetW (P<0.01), and tetX (P<0.01) were greater than those of the group CT. Compared with the group CTC, the relative abundances of tetC (P<0.01), tetL (P<0.01), and tetW (P<0.01) were decreased in the CBC and BC groups. These results indicate that a combination of different antibiotics suppressed the abundance increase of a part of tet genes, which suggests that a combination of antibiotics produces multiple selection pressures on fecal microorganism of pigs.

Biofiltration for stormwater harvesting: Comparison of Campylobacter spp. and Escherichia coli removal under normal and challenging operational conditions

Knowledge of pathogen removal in stormwater biofilters (also known as stormwater bioretention systems or rain gardens) has predominately been determined using bacterial indicators, and the removal of reference pathogens in these systems has rarely been investigated. Furthermore, current understanding of indicator bacteria removal in these systems is largely built upon laboratory-scale work. This paper examines whether indicator organism removal from urban stormwater using biofilters in laboratory settings are representative of the removal of pathogens in field conditions, by studying the removal of Escherichia coli (a typical indicator microorganism) and Campylobacter spp. (a typical reference pathogen) from urban stormwater by two established field-scale biofilters. It was found that E. coli log reduction was higher than that of Campylobacter spp. in both biofilters, and that there was no correlation between E. coli and Campylobacter spp. log removal performance. This confirms that E. coli behaves significantly differently to this reference pathogen, reinforcing that single organisms should not be employed to understand faecal microorganism removal in urban stormwater treatment systems. The average reduction in E. coli from only one of the tested biofilters was able to meet the log reduction targets suggested in the current Australian stormwater harvesting guidelines for irrigating sports fields and golf courses. The difference in the performance of the two biofilters is likely a result of a number of design and operational factors; the most important being that the biofilter that did not meet the guidelines was tested using extremely high influent volumes and microbial concentrations, and long antecedent dry weather periods. As such, the E. coli removal performances identified in this study confirmed laboratory findings that inflow concentration and antecedent dry period impact overall microbial removal. In general, this paper emphasizes the need for the validation of stormwater harvesting systems, namely, the testing of treatment systems under challenging operational conditions using multiple indicators and reference pathogens.

Correlations of Fecal Metabonomic and Microbiomic Changes Induced by High-fat Diet in the Pre-Obesity State.

Obesity resulting from interactions of genetic and environmental factors becomes a serious public health problem worldwide with alterations of the metabolic phenotypes in multiple biological matrices involving multiple metabolic pathways. To understand the contributions of gut microbiota to obesity development, we analyzed dynamic alterations in fecal metabonomic phenotype using NMR and fecal microorganism composition in rats using pyrosequencing technology during the high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 81 days (pre-obesity state). Integrated analysis of these two phenotypic datasets was further conducted to establish correlations between the altered rat fecal metabonome and gut microbiome. We found that one-week HFD feeding already caused significant changes in rat fecal metabonome and such changes sustained throughout 81-days feeding with the host and gut microbiota co-metabolites clearly featured. We also found that HFD caused outstanding decreases in most fecal metabolites implying enhancement of gut absorptions. We further established comprehensive correlations between the HFD-induced changes in fecal metabonome and fecal microbial composition indicating contributions of gut microbiota in pathogenesis and progression of the HFD-induced obesity. These findings provided essential information about the functions of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of metabolic disorders which could be potentially important for developing obesity prevention and treatment therapies.

Mapping of Escherichia coli Sources Connected to Waterways in the Ruamahanga Catchment, New Zealand.

Rivers and streams in New Zealand are natural with free access and used by many people for swimming and fishing. However, pastoral farming with free grazing animals is a common land use in New Zealand and faecal microorganisms from them often end up in waterways. These microorganisms can seriously affect human and animal health if ingested. This paper describes spatial modeling using GIS of Escherichia coli sources in a large catchment (350 000 ha), the Ruamahanga. By examining the pathway of water over and through soils, it is possible to determine whether E. coli sources are connected to waterways or not. The map of E. coli sources connected to waterways provides useful context to those setting water quality limits. This approach avoids the complexity of modeling the fate and transport of E. coli in waterways, yet still permits the assessment of catchment-wide mitigation and best management practice. Fencing of waterways would minimize E. coli sources directly defecated to water and would reduce total E. coli sources by approximately 35%. Introduction of dung beetles would minimize sources connected to waterways by overland flow and would reduce total E. coli sources by approximately 35%. Construction of dairy effluent ponds would minimize sources connected to waterways through high bypass flow in soils and would reduce total E. coli sources by approximately 25%.

Impact of water pollution on human health in the Central African Republic

Bacterial contamination of waters and their impacts on human health in the Central African Republic is a pollution problem that goes far back in time. Today, water quality is impaired, including the contamination of fecal microorganisms, excessive use of agrochemicals, uncontrolled discharges from industries and solid and liquid waste from households and municipal. Most of people in Central Africa use water directly from the wells and rivers water for their domestic activities include drinking. These works highlight the bacteriological and nitrate pollution of surface and groundwater streams and how can impair public health. Many reports concluded that this pollution came from poor sanitation wastes/extracts. Other studies have revealed the presence of nitrates and coliform bacteria in groundwater in agricultural areas it concludes that, this pollution comes from the reuse of untreated wastewater in agriculture. Rivers and lakes seem to be most contaminated sources because are most exposed to waste. Human activities and poor municipal waste control contribute to water pollution and results to serious health problems. Main data in this review study are collected in various existing studies by many researchers and published in international and national journals, but also by non-governmental organizations and the Central African Government reports.

A review of contaminant losses to water from pastoral hill lands and mitigation options

Pastoral hill lands deliver a range of contaminants to receiving environments that are of concern to the wider sector stakeholder community: principally sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen and faecal microorganisms. Thermal energy may also be considered a contaminant. Pastoral waterways generally have higher concentrations of suspended sediments, nutrients, faecal micro-organisms, and water temperature relative to forested waterways. These effects can be quantitatively linked to animal stocking rates and management. The large variation in the micro-climates, parent materials, soil types and vegetation resources inherent in hill country is the major driver of spatial and temporal dynamics of contaminant losses. This variation is modified by animal behaviour and physiology. Stores of contaminants in surface or sub-surface flow paths create important temporal lags resulting from land use and management change. The concept of critical source areas has become a key focus for the development of mitigation options. A wide range of biophysical options are now available, covering multiple scales and levels of cost-benefit. The use of farm planning tools is critical in balancing the implementation of mitigations with farm system objectives to improve whole-system sustainability. More research is needed on long-term impacts, given spatial and temporal variation in drivers and known spatial and temporal lag effects. There will be ongoing demand for mitigations that have been developed through co-innovation processes. Keywords: environmental mitigations, erosion, hill country, nutrient loss, pastoral, sediment export

IDENTIFICACIÓN DE FUENTES TERRESTRES DE CONTAMINACIÓN Y CÁLCULO DE LAS CARGAS DE CONTAMINANTES EN EL ÁREA DE INFLUENCIA DE LA CIÉNAGA GRANDE DE SANTA MARTA, CARIBE COLOMBIANO

The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) is the largest coastal lagoon in the Colombian Caribbean. Declared Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar Site, it is a strategic ecosystem for the conservation of global biodiversity. However, it is also considered an environmentally disturbed area due to natural and anthropogenic threats which increase pollution and affect the ecosystem’s environmental quality. With the purpose of having information that contributes to the assessment and management of environmental pollution of the CGSM, land-based sources pollutions of the lagoon complex were evaluated in the period between 1997 and 2006; pollutant loads carried by the Magdalena river and tributaries flowing down from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta were calculated as well using the methodology proposed by UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme and historical water quality monitoring data of the area. Loads were also calculated for domestic, microbiological and solid waste produced by the population of the study area. Results indicate that water resources are most affected by the pollution load from domestic, agricultural, and industrial waste which are carried by the tributaries and runoff. These sources induce organic pollution that reaches the CGSM in terms of solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, and fecal microorganisms, which generate risks to human health, and the aquatic flora and fauna. The identification of sources and pollutant loads serve as technical support to implement management measures that improve environmental conditions and to the life quality for residents in the CGSM.

Olfactory dysfunction and modification in microbiota as early non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s disease

The purpose of this paper is to study the most common non-motor symptoms of the Parkinson’s disease (PD): olfactory dysfunction, constipation and associated with them variety of fecal microorganisms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and methods. We studied olfactory function in 51 patients with PD using Sniffin Sticks Test and taxonomic composition of fecal microbiota. Results. Olfactory dysfunctions (hyposmia, anosmia) were found in most patients that participated in study as well as differences in alpha-variety of gut microbiota among groups with different olfactory characteristics. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the composition of gut microbiota must be associated with etiology and pathogenesis of PD.

Effects of quebracho tannin extract (Schinopsis balansae) and activated charcoal on feed intake and digestibility by goats and their faecal microbial biomass

Faecal microorganisms directly influence autochthonous soil microbial biomass, microbial residues and subsequent soil C and N cycling. This study investigated the effects of feeding activated charcoal (AC) and quebracho tannin extract (QTE) on feed and nutrient intake, apparent nutrient digestibility and faecal excretion of C, N and fibre fractions in growing male goats, and on faecal microbial biomass. The completely randomised feeding trial comprised of three subsequent periods with 12 male Boer goats (age 4.8 ± 0.59 months, weight 28 ± 3.9 kg) assigned to five treatments and a control. Experimental diets contained 2 and 4% QTE (QTE2, QTE4), 1.5 and 3.0% AC (AC1.5, AC3.0) and a mixture of 2% QTE plus 1.5% AC (QTEAC). Faecal microbial biomass was measured using ergosterol and amino sugars as indices for fungi and bacteria. There were no significant effects of QTE and AC on intake of feed and nutrients. Faecal concentration of slowly decomposable carbohydrates increased with QTE as well as with AC feeding (p < 0.001), whereas faecal N concentration only increased with QTE feeding (p < 0.001). Although total microbial C concentration in faeces was not affected by QTE and AC feeding, QTE shifted the microbial community towards fungi (p < 0.01). The results demonstrate that including up to 4% QTE in goat diets enhances the concentration of slowly decomposable N and C fractions in the faeces, whereas feeding up to 3% AC increases the faecal concentration of slowly decomposable C fractions and the faecal C/N ratio.