Phylogenetic analysis and in situ identification of the intestinal microbial community of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum)

AIMS: To identify the dominant culturable and nonculturable microbiota of rainbow trout intestine. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microbial density of rainbow trout intestine was estimated by direct microscopic counts (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, DAPI) and by culturing on tryptone soya agar (TSA). Differential gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of bacterial DNA from intestinal samples, re-amplification of bands and sequence analysis was used to identify the bacteria that dominated samples where aerobic counts were < or =2% of the DAPI counts. 16S rDNA gene sequences of 146 bacterial isolates and three sequences of uncultured bacteria were identified. A set of oligonucleotide probes was constructed and used to detect and enumerate the bacterial community structure of the gastrointestinal tract of rainbow trout by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Members of the gamma subclass of Proteobacteria (mainly Aeromonas and Enterobacteriaceae) dominated the bacterial population structure. Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Shewanella, Plesiomonas and Proteus were also identified together with isolates belonging to the beta subclass of Proteobacteria and Gram-positive bacteria with high and low DNA G + C content. In most samples, the aerobic count (on TSA) was 50-90% of the direct (DAPI) count. A bacterium representing a previously unknown phylogenetic lineage with only 89% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Anaerofilum pentosovorans was detected in intestinal samples where aerobic counts were < or =2% of direct (DAPI) counts. Ten to 75% of the microbial population in samples with low aerobic counts hybridized (FISH) with a probe constructed against this not-yet cultured bacterium. CONCLUSIONS: Proteobacteria belonging to the gamma subclass dominated the intestinal microbiota of rainbow trout. However, in some samples the microflora was dominated by uncultivated, presumed anaerobic, micro-organisms. The bacterial population structure of rainbow trout intestine, as well as total bacterial counts, varied from fish to fish. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Good correlation was seen between cultivation results and in situ analysis, however, a molecular approach was crucial for the identification of organisms uncultivated on TSA.     

16S rRNA-based analysis of microbiota from the cecum of broiler chickens.

The microbiota of the intestinal tract of chickens plays an important role in inhibiting the establishment of intestinal pathogens. Earlier culturing and microscopic examinations indicated that only a fraction of the bacteria in the cecum of chickens could be grown in the laboratory. Therefore, a survey of cecal bacteria was done by retrieval of 16S rRNA gene sequences from DNA isolated from the cecal content and the cecal mucosa. The ribosomal gene sequences were amplified with universal primers and cloned or subjected to temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE). Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were determined from the clones and from the major bands in TTGE gels. A total of 1,656 partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained and compared to sequences in the GenBank. The comparison indicated that 243 different sequences were present in the samples. Overall, sequences representing 50 phylogenetic groups or subgroups of bacteria were found, but approximately 89% of the sequences represented just four phylogenetic groups (Clostridium leptum, Sporomusa sp., Clostridium coccoides, and enterics). Sequences of members of the Bacteroides group, the Bifidobacterium infantis subgroup, and of Pseudomonas sp. each accounted for less than 2% of the total. Sequences related to those from the Escherichia sp. subgroup and from Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, and Bifidobacterium spp. were generally between 98 and 100% identical to sequences already deposited in the GenBank. Sequences most closely related to those of the other bacteria were generally 97% or less identical to those in the databases and therefore might be from currently unknown species. TTGE and random cloning indicated that certain phylogenetic subgroups were common to all birds analyzed, but sequence data from random cloning also provided evidence for qualitative and quantitative differences among the cecal microbiota of individual birds reared under very similar conditions.     

Microbial diversity of intestinal contents and mucus in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

AIMS: The aim of this study was to understand the microbial community of intestinal contents and mucosal layer in the intestine of rainbow trout by means of culture-dependent conventional and independent molecular techniques. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-one culturable microbial phylotypes, and 39 sequences from 16S rRNA and two from 18S rRNA genes, were retrieved. Aeromonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae representatives were the dominant cultured bacteria. Genomic DNA isolated from intestinal contents and mucus was used to generate 104 random clones, which were grouped into 32 phylotypes at 99% minimum similarity, most of which were affiliated with Proteobacteria (>70% of the total). However, unlike library C (intestinal contents), the phyla Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria were not found in intestinal mucus (library M), indicating that the microbiota in the gut mucus was different from that of the intestinal contents. Twelve sequences were retrieved from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis, and dominant bands were mostly related to Clostridium. CONCLUSIONS: Many novel sequences that have not been previously recognized as part of the intestinal flora of rainbow trout were retrieved. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The fish gut harbours a larger bacterial diversity than previously recognized, and the diversity of gut mucus is different from that of intestinal contents.     

16S rRNA-Based Analysis of Microbiota from the Cecum of Broiler Chickens

The microbiota of the intestinal tract of chickens plays an important role in inhibiting the establishment of intestinal pathogens. Earlier culturing and microscopic examinations indicated that only a fraction of the bacteria in the cecum of chickens could be grown in the laboratory. Therefore, a survey of cecal bacteria was done by retrieval of 16S rRNA gene sequences from DNA isolated from the cecal content and the cecal mucosa. The ribosomal gene sequences were amplified with universal primers and cloned or subjected to temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE). Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were determined from the clones and from the major bands in TTGE gels. A total of 1,656 partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained and compared to sequences in the GenBank. The comparison indicated that 243 different sequences were present in the samples. Overall, sequences representing 50 phylogenetic groups or subgroups of bacteria were found, but approximately 89% of the sequences represented just four phylogenetic groups (Clostridium leptum, Sporomusa sp., Clostridium coccoides, and enterics). Sequences of members of the Bacteroides group, the Bifidobacterium infantis subgroup, and of Pseudomonas sp. each accounted for less than 2% of the total. Sequences related to those from the Escherichia sp. subgroup and from Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, and Bifidobacterium spp. were generally between 98 and 100% identical to sequences already deposited in the GenBank. Sequences most closely related to those of the other bacteria were generally 97% or less identical to those in the databases and therefore might be from currently unknown species. TTGE and random cloning indicated that certain phylogenetic subgroups were common to all birds analyzed, but sequence data from random cloning also provided evidence for qualitative and quantitative differences among the cecal microbiota of individual birds reared under very similar conditions.     

PCR/DGGE and 16S rRNA gene library analysis of the colonic microbiota of HLA-B27/beta2-microglobulin transgenic rats

AIMS: To determine the phylogenetic composition of the colonic microbiota of transgenic (TG) HLA-B27 rats using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences obtained from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) gels and sequences from a 16S rRNA gene library. METHODS AND RESULTS: Colonic microbiota of TG and nontransgenic (NT) rats harboured by 10-week-old and 6-month-old animals was screened using PCR/DGGE. Six months old TG rats had marked inflammation of the colon compared with 10-week-old TG and NT rats. The DGGE profiles of rats with inflamed colon were similar from rat to rat (Dice's Similarity Coefficient proximal colon 73%, distal colon 83%) whereas profiles from animals without inflammation were dissimilar (52-64%). Identifications of bacterial origins of 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained from DGGE gels (200 bp) and from 16S rRNA clones (450 bp) of the colonic microbiota of diseased rats gave sequences most closely phylogenetically affiliated with uncultured or unknown bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: PCR/DGGE was shown to be an effective method to compare the colonic microbiota composition of TG and NT rats relative to the progression of inflammatory disease. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments from DGGE gels or 16S rRNA gene clones from a random library showed that uncultured or unknown bacteria were most commonly detected by both methods. It can be concluded that it would be better in future studies to search for the antigens produced by the gut microbiota against which the dysfunctional immune system reacts rather than seek phylogenetic associations. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: PCR/DGGE can be used as a rapid initial screening method to compare the composition of bacterial communities of initially unknown composition that are associated with the development of intestinal disease.     

Separation of bacteria of the Clostridium leptum subgroup from the human colonic microbiota by fluorescence-activated cell sorting or group-specific PCR using 16S rRNA gene oligonucleotides

Molecular methods based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses have shown that bacteria of the Clostridium leptum subgroup are predominant in the colonic microbiota of healthy humans; this subgroup includes bacteria that produce butyrate, a source of energy for intestinal epithelial cells. To improve our understanding of the species within this important group, separation methods using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and specific PCR were combined with 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. FACS was developed for bacteria labelled in situ with two rRNA oligonucleotide probes, namely EUB338-FITC for total bacteria and Clep866-CY5/cp or Fprau645-CY5 for bacteria of the C. leptum subgroup. Bacterial cell sorting allowed a selective recovery of members of the C. leptum subgroup from the human microbiota with efficiencies as high as 95%. Group-specific PCR amplification of the C. leptum subgroup was developed, and temporal thermal gradient gel electrophoresis showed host-specific profiles with low complexity, with a sharing of common bands between individuals and bands stable over 2 months for the same individual. A library of 16S rRNA gene cloned sequences (106 sequences) was prepared with DNA obtained from both separation methods, and 15 distinct phylotypes were identified, among which 10 have no cultivable or currently cultivated representative in reference collections.     

Molecular analyses of the intestinal microbiota of chimpanzees in the wild and in captivity

Little information is available regarding the intestinal bacteria of chimpanzees in the wild, due to the technical difficulties of studying intestinal bacteria in the field. In this study, molecular-based bacterial analyses were performed to overcome this difficulty because polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, such as temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) and amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene can be applied to ethanol-fixed fecal samples. The common presence of bacteria belonging to the Clostridium rRNA sub-group XIVa, such as Ruminococcus obeum and Eubacterium sp., was indicated for Bossou wild chimpanzees by ARDRA. TGGE on partial 16S rDNA followed by hierarchical clustering analysis showed a systematic difference in the composition of intestinal microbiota between wild and captive chimpanzees. However, several TGGE bands commonly shared by wild and captured chimpanzees were excised, and their sequences were obtained. They were suggested to be the Clostridium leptum subgroup bacteria, Lactobacillus gasseri-like bacterium, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum- or B. catenulatum-like bacterium. These may be considered as common intestinal bacteria for chimpanzees, and may be transmitted vertically over generations.     

Low species diversity and high interindividual variability in faeces of preterm infants as revealed by sequences of 16S rRNA genes and PCR-temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis profiles

Little information regarding the composition of the gut microbiota in preterm infants is available. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial diversity in faeces of preterm infants, using analysis of randomly cloned 16S rRNA genes and PCR-TTGE (temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis) profiles, to determine whether noncultivated bacteria represented an important part of the community. The 288 clones obtained from faecal samples of 16 preterm infants were classified into 25 molecular species. All but one molecular species had a cultivated representative in public databases: molecular tools did not reveal any unexplored diversity. The mean number of molecular species per infant was 3.25, ranging from one to eight. There was a high interindividual variability. The main groups encountered were the Enterobacteriaceae family and the genera Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Seven preterm infants were colonized by anaerobes and only four by bifidobacteria. TTGE profiles were composed of one to nine bands (mean value: 4.3). Furthermore, 51 of 59 clones (86%) comigrated with a band of the corresponding faecal sample. This study will form a comparative framework for other studies, e.g. on the faecal microbiota of preterm infants with different pathologies or the impact of diet on colonization.     

Aquacultured Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Possess a Large Core Intestinal Microbiota That Is Resistant to Variation in Diet and Rearing Density

As global aquaculture fish production continues to expand, an improved understanding of how environmental factors interact in fish health and production is needed. Significant advances have been made toward economical alternatives to costly fishmeal-based diets, such as grain-based formulations, and toward defining the effect of rearing density on fish health and production. Little research, however, has examined the effects of fishmeal- and grain-based diets in combination with alterations in rearing density. Moreover, it is unknown whether interactions between rearing density and diet impact the composition of the fish intestinal microbiota, which might in turn impact fish health and production. We fed aquacultured adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fishmeal- or grain-based diets, reared them under high- or low-density conditions for 10 months in a single aquaculture facility, and evaluated individual fish growth, production, fin indices, and intestinal microbiota composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We found that the intestinal microbiotas were dominated by a shared core microbiota consisting of 52 bacterial lineages observed across all individuals, diets, and rearing densities. Variations in diet and rearing density resulted in only minor changes in intestinal microbiota composition despite significant effects of these variables on fish growth, performance, fillet quality, and welfare. Significant interactions between diet and rearing density were observed only in evaluations of fin indices and the relative abundance of the bacterial genus Staphylococcus. These results demonstrate that aquacultured rainbow trout can achieve remarkable consistency in intestinal microbiota composition and suggest the possibility of developing novel aquaculture strategies without overtly altering intestinal microbiota composition.     

Increase in terminal restriction fragments of Bacteroidetes-derived 16S rRNA genes after administration of short-chain fructooligosaccharides

It is well known that short chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) modify intestinal microbiota in animals as well as in humans. Since most murine intestinal bacteria are still uncultured, it is difficult for a culturing method to detect changes in intestinal microbiota after scFOS administration in a mouse model. In this study, we sought markers of positive change in murine intestinal microbiota after scFOS administration using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, which is a culture-independent method. The T-RFLP profiles showed that six terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs) were significantly increased after scFOS administration. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA partial gene sequences of murine fecal bacteria suggested that four of six T-RFs that increased after scFOS administration were derived from the 16S rRNA genes of the class Bacteroidetes. Preliminary quantification of Bacteroidetes by real-time PCR suggests that the 16S rRNA genes derived from Bacteroidetes were increased by scFOS administration. Therefore, the T-RFs derived from Bacteroidetes are good markers of change of murine intestinal microbiota after scFOS administration.     

Correlation between faecal microbial community structure and cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion in the human gut

Intensity of the cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion in the intestine, as assessed by the coprostanol-to-cholesterol ratio in faeces, was found highly variable among 15 human volunteers, ranging from absent to almost complete cholesterol conversion. The number of coprostanoligenic bacteria in the same faecal samples, as estimated by the most probable number method, was found to be less than 10(6) cellsg-1 of fresh stools in the low-to-inefficient converters and at least 10(8) cellsg-1 of fresh stools in the highest converters, indicating that the population level of cultivable faecal coprostanoligenic bacteria correlated with the intensity of cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion in the human gut. Microbial communities of the samples were profiled by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) of bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Dendrogram analysis of the TTGE profiles using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and a unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) algorithm clearly separated banding patterns from low-to-inefficient and high converters in two different clusters suggesting a relationship between TTGE profiles and coprostanoligenic activity. Principal components analysis further demonstrated that a large subset of bands rather than some individual bands contributed to this clustering.     

应用rpoB和16S rDNA基因的变性梯度凝胶电泳技术对山羊瘤胃细菌多样性的研究

采用免培养的rpoB和16S rDNA基因的变性梯度凝胶电泳技术(DGGE)对3种山羊(波尔山羊,内蒙古绒山羊,四川南江黄羊)瘤胃细菌优势菌群结构进行了比较分析。研究结果显示rpoBDGGE图谱中条带数目少于16S rDNA图谱,并且条带分离效果明显,更有利于分析瘤胃细菌群落组成。从两种DGGE图谱中均可以发现3种山羊瘤胃细菌具有一定的相似性,种内个体间相似性明显高于种间相似性,这说明寄主品种是影响瘤胃细菌种群构成的一个重要因素。同时进行了部分优势细菌16S rDNA基因V6-V8区序列的系统发育分析。基因序列分析表明,DGGE图谱中优势条带的16S rDNA基因序列中有4条克隆的序列与基因库最相似菌的相似性大于97%,余下的克隆序列相似性在89%～96%之间,其中13条序列的与之相似性最高的序列均来自于未被鉴定的瘤胃细菌。     

rpoB-PCR amplified gene and temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis: a rapid tool to analyse bacterial strains representative of cold-smoked salmon microflora

AIM: To evaluate rpoB gene as a biomarker of microbial biodiversity associated to cold-smoked salmon by a novel nested-polymerase chain reaction/temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR/TTGE) technique applied on pure cultures of reference strains. METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA obtained from pure cultures of reference strains was used in a succession of a first PCR amplification of rpoB fragment with degenerated nonclamped primers and a nested-PCR with nondegenerated clamped primers. PCR products were then applied on a TTGE gel in order to analyse strains profile. High quantity of nested-PCR products were obtained for each tested strain and TTGE profiles showed a good separation between the different reference bacteria and an easy way to associate one band to one species. CONCLUSION: The nested-PCR/TTGE technique used in this study is a promising way of investigating bacterial community structure of cold-smoked salmon or other food matrix. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Because of its single copy state leading to single band profiles in TTGE, rpoB constitute a good potential molecular marker for further development of cold-smoked salmon biodiversity analysis.     

Long-Term Changes in Human Colonic Bifidobacterium Populations Induced by a 5-Day Oral Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid Treatment

The objective of this study was to assess the possible modifications due to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC) treatment on total bacteria and on Bifidobacterium species balance in human colonic microbiota. Eighteen healthy volunteers (19 to 36 years old) were given a 875/125 mg dose of AMC twice a day for 5 days. Fecal samples were obtained before and after antibiotic exposure. After total DNA extraction, total bacteria and bifidobacteria were specifically quantified using real-time PCR. Dominant species were monitored over time using bacterial and bifidobacterial Temporal Temperature Gradient gel Electrophoresis (TTGE). At the end of AMC exposure, total bacterial concentrations as well as bifidobacteria concentrations were significantly reduced compared to before AMC exposure:10.7±0.1 log₁₀ 16S rRNA gene copies/g vs 11.1±0.1 log₁₀ (p = 0.003) and 8.1±0.5 log₁₀ 16S rRNA gene copies/g vs 9.4±0.3 log₁₀ (p = 0.003), respectively. At the same time, the mean similarity percentages of TTGE bacteria and TTGE bifidobacteria profiles were significantly reduced compared to before AMC exposure: 51.6%±3.5% vs 81.4%±2.1% and 55.8%±7.6% vs 84.5%±4.1%, respectively. Occurrence of B. adolescentis, B. bifidum and B. pseudocatenulatum/B. catenulatum species significantly decreased. Occurrence of B. longum remained stable. Moreover, the number of distinct Bifidobacterium species per sample significantly decreased (1.5±0.3 vs 2.3±0.3; p = 0.01). Two months after AMC exposure, the mean similarity percentage of TTGE profiles was 55.6% for bacteria and 62.3% for bifidobacteria. These results clearly demonstrated that a common antibiotic treatment may qualitatively alter the colonic microbiota. Such modifications may have potential long-term physiological consequences.     

Development and validation of PCR primers to assess the diversity of Clostridium spp. in cheese by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis

A nested-PCR temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) approach was developed for the detection of bacteria belonging to phylogenetic cluster I of the genus Clostridium (the largest clostridial group, which represents 25% of the currently cultured clostridial species) in cheese suspected of late blowing. Primers were designed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, and the specificity was confirmed in PCRs performed with DNAs from cluster I and non-cluster I species as the templates. TTGE profiles of the PCR products, comprising the V5-V6 region of the 16S rRNA gene, allowed us to distinguish the majority of cluster I species. PCR-TTGE was applied to analyze commercial cheeses with defects. All cheeses gave a signal after nested PCR, and on the basis of band comigration with TTGE profiles of reference strains, all the bands could be assigned to a clostridial species. The direct identification of Clostridium spp. was confirmed by sequencing of excised bands. C. tyrobutyricum and C. beijerinckii contaminated 15 and 14 of the 20 cheese samples tested, respectively, and C. butyricum and C. sporogenes were detected in one cheese sample. Most-probable-number counts and volatile fatty acid were determined for comparison purposes. Results obtained were in agreement, but only two species, C. tyrobutyricum and C. sporogenes, could be isolated by the plating method. In all cheeses with a high amount of butyric acid (>100 mg/100 g), the presence of C. tyrobutyricum DNA was confirmed by PCR-TTGE, suggesting the involvement of this species in butyric acid fermentation. These results demonstrated the efficacy of the PCR-TTGE method to identify Clostridium in cheeses. The sensitivity of the method was estimated to be 100 CFU/g.     

Molecular monitoring of the intestinal flora by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography

Gut flora analysis is hampered by the complexity of the intestinal microbiota and by inherent limitations of culture-based approaches. Therefore, culture-independent molecular methods based upon 16S rRNA gene analysis were applied successfully for the analysis of complex microbial communities. However, generally accepted and validated profiling methods such as denaturing and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE/TGGE) are still laborious and time consuming. Thus, we adapted the separation of amplified bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragments by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) using the WAVE Microbial Analysis System as a rapid and convenient means to display complex intestinal bacterial communities and to monitor changes in the gut flora. The separation of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified from reference strains representing main gut bacterial populations and from human stool samples revealed that DHPLC analysis effectively detects bacterial groups predominant in the human gut flora. The investigation of faecal samples from hospitalized patients before, during and after antibiotic therapy showed that PCR-based DHPLC can be used to monitor gut flora changes. Results from DHPLC analysis were comparable with DGGE profiles generated from the same samples, demonstrating that the adapted DHPLC protocol is well suited for the analysis of complex microbial communities.     

代表性差异分析比较两株来自不同地区的猪源Lactobacillus菌株

[目的]对分离自猪肠道的乳酸杆菌S1菌株进行鉴定,并比较该菌株与同种的001T菌株的基因差异.[方法]对S1菌株进行16S rRNA基因序列分析和种特异PCR检测,并且对S1菌株和Lactobacillus sobrius 001T进行代表性差异分析(Representational difference analysis,RDA).[结果]16S rRNA基因序列分析表明,与S1菌株最相似的已知菌为L.sobrius.变性梯度凝胶电泳分析显示,仔猪空、回肠细菌图谱中有一与S1菌株有相同迁移位置的优势条带,克隆、测序鉴定表明,与该条带相匹配的16S rRNA基因克隆(Clone S)的最相似已知菌也为L.sobrius.16S rRNA基因系统进化分析表明,S1菌株与Clone S和L.sobrius 16S rRNA基因序列同源性分别为99.8%和99.6%.L.sobrius特异性引物也可以扩增S1株菌的16S rRNA基因的特定片段.因此S1菌株可被确定为Lsobrius.RDA对菌株S1和同种的猪源L.sobrius 001T菌株的基因差异进行分析,未发现这两株菌的基因组差异.[结论]猪肠道乳杆酸菌S1菌株属于L.sobrius,其与猪源L sobrius 001T菌株为相似菌株.     

DNA-based classification and sequence heterogeneities in the 16S rRNA genes of Lactobacillus casei/paracasei and related species

The sequence differences within the 16S rRNA genes of Lactobacillus casei/paracasei and related species, Lactobacillus zeae and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, were investigated. Thirty-seven strains of mostly human or cheese origin were grouped by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) of the total chromosomal DNA and by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments. REA verified that all strains were genomically unique and singled out three major clusters, one L. rhamnosus-cluster and two clusters containing L. paracasei strains. The groups obtained by TTGE corresponded with one exception to the REA-clusters. In the TTGE clustering all L. paracasei strains formed one general group with one TTGE-band in common, and this group was sub-divided into five subgroups due to the presence of more than one TTGE-band in four of the subgroups. The occurrence of multiple TTGE-bands was investigated by amplifying and cloning of the 16S rRNA genes from the strains showing this phenomenon, thereby 12 clones from each strain were sequenced, demonstrating polymorphisms in almost all the cases. Subjecting the clones displaying sequence variations to TTGE as well as sequencing of 16S rDNA revealed by ribotyping of the strains, verified the presence of polymorphisms within the 16S rRNA genes. The migration characteristic of amplified DNA from a single clone corresponded to a specific band in the TTGE-pattern of the strain from which the clone originated. Southern blot hybridisation with a 16S rDNA probe demonstrated the presence of at least five 16S rRNA genes in L. casei/paracasei. A higher degree of variable positions than previously reported was observed in the 16S rRNA gene fragments of the members in the complex. Sequence comparison between the 16S rRNA gene copies of L. casei (CCUG 21451T) and L. zeae (CCUG 35515T) demonstrated that the two species shared almost the same sequence in some copies while the others were more different. Our results provide one explanation for the difficulties in reaching clear-cut taxa within the L. casei/paracasei complex.     

Host species as a strong determinant of the intestinal microbiota of fish larvae

We investigated the influence of host species on intestinal microbiota by comparing the gut bacterial community structure of four cohabitating freshwater fish larvae, silver carp, grass carp, bighead carp, and blunt snout bream, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the amplified 16S and 18S rRNA genes. Similarity clustering indicated that the intestinal microbiota derived from these four fish species could be divided into four groups based on 16S rRNA gene similarity, whereas the eukaryotic 18S rRNA genes showed no distinct groups. The water sample from the shared environment contained microbiota of an independent group as indicated by both 16S and 18S rRNA genes segments. The bacterial community structures were visualized using rank-abundance plots fitted with linear regression models. Results showed that the intestinal bacterial evenness was significantly different between species (P<0.05) and between species and the water sample (P<0.01). Thirty-five relatively dominant bands in DGGE patterns were sequenced and grouped into five major taxa: Proteobacteria (26), Actinobacteria (5), Bacteroidetes (1), Firmicutes (2), and Cyanobacterial (1). Six eukaryotes were detected by sequencing 18S rRNA genes segments. The present study suggests that the intestines of the four fish larvae, although reared in the same environment, contained distinct bacterial populations, while intestinal eukaryotic microorganisms were almost identical.