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Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: August 25, 2018
Bifidobacterial diversity and the development of new microbial source tracking indicators
Elisenda Ballesté1, Anicet R Blanch
1Department of Microbiology, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 645, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|April 5, 2011
Summary
Bifidobacterium species indicate fecal pollution. Researchers identified Bifidobacterium strains from human and pig waste using PCR and DGGE, successfully isolating specific species like B. adolescentis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bifidobacterium species are closely linked to their hosts.
- Certain Bifidobacterium species, like B. adolescentis and B. thermacidophilum subsp. porcinum, are potential indicators of human and porcine fecal pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the diversity of bifidobacteria in various wastewaters and slurries.
- To isolate host-specific Bifidobacterium strains from environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- Nested PCR combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to analyze bifidobacterial diversity.
- Specific probes were developed from DGGE bands for colony hybridization and strain isolation.
Main Results:
- Sewage samples predominantly contained B. adolescentis, B. longum, and unidentified species related to B. adolescentis.
- Porcine samples showed higher diversity, with B. minimum, an unknown species, and B. thermophilum/B. thermacidophilum subsp. porcinum identified.
- Poultry samples contained B. saeculare; bovine samples included B. thermacidophilum subsp. porcinum, B. pseudolongum, and B. ruminantium.
- Host-associated Bifidobacterium strains, including B. adolescentis from human sewage and a pig-associated species from slurries, were successfully isolated.
Conclusions:
- Bifidobacterium diversity varies across different host-associated environments.
- The study successfully isolated human and pig-associated Bifidobacterium strains from environmental samples.
- The inability to isolate poultry and ruminant-associated species suggests potential challenges in detection or cultivation.
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