不同降压过程对深海海水中可培养细菌群落组成的影响

【目的】控制不同的压力变化过程,比较对深海水样中可培养细菌组成的影响,探讨马里亚纳海沟深海水样中可培养细菌在不同降压处理过程下的丰度变化和群落组成。【方法】利用保压技术采集无污染、深度6001 m的深海水样后,模拟缓慢降压和快速降压过程,通过2216E培养基及2216E加氧化三甲胺(TMAO)富集培养基,对分离得到的可培养菌株进行16S rRNA基因测序分析和丰度检测。【结果】通过缓慢降压和快速降压处理后,深海海水样品中可培养细菌的丰度和群落组成差异较大。其中,在缓慢降压处理的样品中,平均丰度约为190 CFU/mL,且种群组成单一,以Bacillus属为主(占总菌落数的96%);而快速降压处理的样品中,平均丰度约为437 CFU/mL,主要分布在4个属中:Bacillus (占总菌落数的27.8%)、Achromobacter (24.4%)、Microbacterium (34.4%)和Pseudomonas (13.7%)。值得一提的是,添加TMAO后,2种降压过程处理的样品中,可培养细菌的平均丰度均没有明显提升,但样品中的可培养细菌种类明显提升,部分种属的丰度也发生了明显的变化。此外,一些种属仅在特定的压力和底物存在的条件下出现。【结论】不同的降压方式能够影响深海海水中可培养细菌的丰度和群落组成,添加TMAO的富集实验表明可以增加分离到的细菌的种类,为下一步的深入研究提供良好的研究基础。     

黑龙江大豆胞囊线虫胞囊可培养细菌多样性

【目的】了解黑龙江省大豆田大豆胞囊线虫胞囊可培养细菌的多样性。【方法】运用稀释平板法和16SrDNA基因序列的系统发育分析对胞囊可培养细菌多样性进行研究。【结果】用NA培养基从胞囊上分离90株具有不同菌落形态的细菌。16S rDNA序列分析结果表明:90株菌株分属于7个属22个种。46株属于变形菌门γ亚群(Gammaproteobacteria),32株属于厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),10株属于变形菌门β亚群(Betaproteobacteria),2株属于变形菌门ɑ亚群(Alphaproteobacteria)。假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)和芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)为优势菌属。【结果】黑龙江省大豆胞囊线虫胞囊中存在丰富的细菌物种多样性,这些细菌对大豆胞囊线虫可能具有一定的生理生态作用。     

冲绳海槽热液区可培养硫氧化细菌多样性及其硫氧化特性

冲绳海槽热液区独特的地质环境孕育了特殊的生物群落,硫氧化细菌作为生物地球化学循环的重要参与者在热液生态系统中发挥着至关重要的作用。【目的】通过硫氧化菌株的分离培养揭示冲绳海槽热液区可培养硫氧化细菌的多样性和硫氧化活性。【方法】采用多种培养基对冲绳海槽热液区不同沉积物样品中的硫氧化细菌进行富集培养和分离纯化;利用16S rRNA基因序列确定硫氧化细菌的分类地位并进行系统发育分析;采用碘量法对典型硫氧化菌株硫氧化活性进行检测。【结果】本研究从冲绳海槽热液区样品中共分离鉴定85株硫氧化细菌,分属于α-变形菌纲、γ-变形菌纲、放线菌门和厚壁菌门,优势属为氢弧菌属(Hydrogenovibrio)、拉布伦氏菌属(Labrenzia)、深海海旋菌属(Thalassospira)和海杆状菌属(Marinobacter)。硫氧化活性检测结果表明,7株典型硫氧化菌株对硫代硫酸钠的降解活性介于31%–100%之间,其中泰坦尼克号盐单胞菌SOB56 (Halomonas titanicae SOB56)、南极海杆状菌SOB93(Marinobacter antarcticus SOB93)、印度硫氧化粗杆菌SOB107 (Thioclava indica SOB107)和嗜温氢弧菌CJG136 (Hydrogenovibrio thermophiles CJG136)可以完全降解硫代硫酸钠。【结论】冲绳海槽热液区可培养硫氧化细菌的多样性丰富,为研究该热液区的硫循环过程提供了实验材料和理论基础,多种硫氧化活性菌株的获得极大地丰富了菌种资源,为探究深海热液区硫循环的能量代谢途径和分子机制奠定基础。     

不同培养基组合提高土壤细菌可培养性的研究

为选择性采用多培养基组合以提高土壤细菌可培养性,利用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术研究了贫营养、富营养和自然营养培养基在3种培养方式下获得细菌种群的差异。结果表明:平板培养条件下,细菌在贫营养培养基上生长较慢,菌落连续稳定形成。培养5d后,富营养的LB培养基和贫营养的R2A培养基获得菌落数最多,分别是贫营养的0.1×LB培养基获得菌落数的5.1倍和5.3倍。7种培养基中,LB培养基获得细菌种群数目最多,营养成分适当稀释后,培养物中有新的种群出现。贫营养培养基和富营养培养基培养物DGGE图谱相似性低,条带互补性强。三角瓶静置培养时,R2A和LB培养基获得细菌种群数目较多,其它几种培养基获得的细菌类群都能在这2种培养基中找到。试管静置培养条件下,LB培养基获得细菌种群数目最多,某些种群也只出现在R2A培养基和TSB培养基上,R2A及LB培养基与TSB培养基获得的细菌种群差异较为明显。研究结果为特殊培养基设计及选用合适培养基分离土壤细菌提供参考。     

酸解羽毛粉代替蛋白胨研制新型细菌培养基

【目的】从工厂下脚料——酸解羽毛粉氨基酸含量高且种类丰富出发,开发出低成本新型细菌培养基,以期资源化该类废弃物。【方法】将酸解羽毛粉代替常用细菌培养基(LB培养基)中的蛋白胨,进行细菌液体发酵试验,比浊法在波长600 nm处比色测定菌液的吸光值,可培养计数法监测细菌数量。【结果】以LB培养基为对照,酸解羽毛粉完全代替蛋白胨液体发酵供试菌株时,菌株的生物量与对照无显著性差异或显著高于对照。培养模式菌株大肠杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌24 h后,与对照相比,生物量分别增加了21.59%和27.83%。菌株生长曲线表明,生长初期,菌株在新型培养基中生长稍延迟,但含酸解羽毛粉培养基能延长枯草芽孢杆菌的对数生长期,并且两菌株到达稳定期时的生物量均高于对照。可培养计数法结果同样表明,含酸解羽毛粉培养基所培养活菌数量与对照(LB培养基)相比,差异不显著。【结论】用酸解羽毛粉代替LB培养基中蛋白胨进行细菌培养是可行的,可以大大降低生产成本。     

PMA-qPCR法检测冷冻基质中非可培养状态(VBNC)副溶血性弧菌

【背景】副溶血性弧菌为冰鲜产品及肉制品中常见的污染微生物,致病性强,危害严重,出入境运输及加工的肉食品常采取冷冻冷藏的处理手段来防止微生物污染及生长,以保持食物新鲜。而残留的部分副溶血性弧菌会进入活的非可培养状态(Viable but non-culturable state,VBNC),从而构成潜在的风险隐患。【目的】建立可用于冷冻食品中VBNC副溶血性弧菌的快速检测方法,并探讨其适用性。【方法】将大西洋鲑鱼1:10匀浆,加入终浓度为6.6×10~5 CFU/mL的副溶血性弧菌,-20°C分别诱导10、20、30和50 d。建立实时荧光PCR技术(qPCR)方法,测定其特异性、灵敏度及稳定性。利用PMA-qPCR法对不同冷冻时期样品中的副溶血性弧菌进行检测,同时与qPCR、平板培养法进行比较。【结果】建立的qPCR方法特异性好,与其他阴性参考株无交叉反应;灵敏度高,检测限为19.8 CFU/mL;重复性好,C_q值的变异系数(CV)均在1.5%以下;标准曲线为y=-3.272x+45.310,线性回归系数R~2为0.996,定量范围为1×10~2–1×10~9 CFU/mL。在低温诱导10-50 d后,qPCR法的C_q值在26.32-27.34之间,与诱导前相比几乎没有变化;叠氮溴化丙锭(PMA)-qPCR法的C_q值则从诱导前的26.43逐步上升到38.84,呈现明显的上升趋势,表明死菌的数量在显著上升。经过比较及统计,PMA-qPCR检测的活菌数均高于平板培养法测出的数量,差异显著(P0.05)。【结论】PMA-qPCR特异性及灵敏度高,能有效抑制对死菌的扩增,同时能克服传统平板培养法对VBNC的漏检缺陷,可方便、快捷地用于冷冻食品中受损致病微生物,尤其是进入VBNC状态的细菌检测。     

泥浸汁对太湖沉积物中的好氧可培养细菌多样性的影响

【目的】研究添加泥浸汁与否对太湖沉积物中可培养细菌的影响。【方法】采用R2A培养基和添加泥浸汁R2A培养基对沉积物中细菌进行分离培养,16S r RNA基因系统发育分析比较种群结构。【结果】培养基中添加泥浸汁,可使可培养细菌的种类数量增加到1.6倍。16S r RNA基因序列分析表明,培养的优势细菌类群存在明显差别。R2A培养基上生长的细菌主要为厚壁菌门(52%)、放线菌门(24%)、变形菌门(20%)和拟杆菌门(4%),其中大部分细菌与芽孢杆菌属、假单胞菌属、节杆菌属等关系密切;而添加泥浸汁的R2A培养基上生长的细菌则主要为变形菌门(40%)、放线菌门(35%)、厚壁菌门(22.5%)和拟杆菌门(2.5%),与鞘脂单胞菌属、芽孢杆菌属、副球菌属、节杆菌属等关系密切。【结论】添加泥浸汁原始营养因子可提高沉积物中可培养细菌的多样性,提高菌种可培养效率。     

细菌VBNC态检测技术的研究进展

细菌在一些不良压力条件下会进入"活的非可培养状态"(viable but non-culturable,VBNC),其仍具有活力但不能采用常规的平板培养基进行培养,VBNC态细菌一旦培养条件适宜仍能继续生长繁殖,有些致病菌依旧具有毒力。如果检测方法不当,会造成假阳性或假阴性的结果,需要采取适合的检测方法进行检测。文章概述了几种检测VBNC态细菌的方法,如活菌直接计数法、核酸染料检测法、呼吸检测法、分子生物学法、免疫学法、流式细胞仪检测法等,并对检测方法的应用现状进行了评述。     

西南地区高山湖泊中可培养细菌多样性及其所产胞外活性物质的特性

【目的】研究西南不同地区的高山湖泊中可培养细菌的多样性及其产胞外蛋白酶、纤维素酶和胞外多糖的能力。【方法】以西南4个不同地区的高山湖泊:雷波的马湖(LB)、中缅边境的凯邦亚湖(ZM)、沙德的莲花湖(SD)、腾冲的青海湖(TC)的水样为研究对象,利用稀释涂布平板方法对可培养细菌进行分离筛选,然后通过对可培养细菌的生理生化指标和16S r RNA基因序列进行分析,初步确定细菌属别;对分离得到的菌株进行产胞外蛋白酶和纤维素酶活性测定和产胞外多糖能力检测。【结果】从西南地区4个湖泊中共分离筛选得到41株细菌,其中LB 15株、ZM 13株、SD 7株、TC 6株。根据16S r RNA基因序列的系统进化分析,4个地区可培养细菌的组成和丰度存在明显差异,其中LB和ZM的优势菌属是芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus),其次是气单胞菌属(Aeromonas)和假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas),分离的TC菌株全部属于芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus),分离的SD菌株特异性较强。进一步酶活性和胞外多糖检测表明,分离得到的41株细菌中有28株菌的发酵产物具有蛋白酶活性,6株具有纤维素酶活性,17株可产胞外多糖(Exopolysaccharides,EPS)。其中有2株细菌同时产蛋白酶、纤维素酶和胞外多糖,10株细菌同时产蛋白酶和胞外多糖,2株细菌同时产蛋白酶和纤维素酶,1株细菌同时产纤维素酶和胞外多糖。【结论】西南4个高山湖泊中存在丰富的微生物菌种资源,且4个湖泊中筛选的可培养细菌受所处环境的影响大。其中莲花湖由于高海拔和较偏僻等特点,人为干扰小,分离得到的细菌类群与其他湖泊相比明显不同;而马湖、凯邦亚湖和青海湖3个湖泊的海拔相对较低,受人类活动影响较大,分离得到的细菌均较常见。此外高山湖泊中的可培养细菌具有分泌多种胞外活性物质特性,为工业化应用奠定了资源基础,极具更深入的开发和研究价值。     

织金洞钟乳石沉积物表面可培养细菌多样性和网络分析

【背景】洞穴环境中蕴含丰富而独特的细菌资源,对洞穴环境中细菌的分离培养有助于了解洞穴细菌多样性及细菌资源的挖掘和利用。【目的】利用不同培养基分离细菌,探究钟乳石表面可培养细菌的多样性及其种间互作关系。【方法】通过11种培养基对织金洞内钟乳石沉积物表面的细菌进行分离纯化,并利用16S rRNA基因序列分析初步确定分离菌株的分类地位。在R软件下,通过Bipartite包分析可培养细菌属间的相互作用。【结果】从钟乳石沉积物表面共分离出206株细菌,它们隶属于4门25属45种,香农(Shannon)指数为4.78,辛普森(Simpson)指数为0.95。变形菌门(Proteobacteria)和芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)分别为样品中可培养细菌的优势门(47.09%)和优势属(29.61%)。无机寡营养培养基有助于洞穴钟乳石沉积物细菌的分离。属水平-采样点网络分析表明,可培养细菌分布具有非随机、显著的嵌套性。芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、德沃斯氏菌属(Devosia)、产碱杆菌属(Alcaligenes)、节杆菌属(Arthrobacter)和短杆菌属(Brevibacterium)在细菌群落中存在较多的有效合作值(Effective Partners)和亲密度(Closeness),被其他细菌所依赖程度(Species Strength)较高,是该群落中的重要组成类群。【结论】织金洞内钟乳石沉积物表面存在丰富的细菌资源,分析细菌类群在群落中的作用应结合细菌相对丰度和网络分析。     

High concentration of sodium chloride could induce the viable and culturable states of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

In the present study, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis were transferred into Luria–Bertani medium without NaCl (LBWS) and adjusted to various pHs (4, 5, 6 and 7) with lactic acid containing 0·75, 5, 10 and 30% NaCl, and stored at 25°C until the bacterial populations reached below detectable levels on tryptic soy agar (TSA). Although E. coli O157:H7 and S. Enteritidis did not grow on TSA when incubated in LBWS with 30% NaCl for 35 and 7 days, more than 60 and 70% of the bacterial cells were shown to be viable via fluorescent staining with SYTO9 and propidium iodide (PI), respectively, suggesting that a number of cells could be induced into the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. These bacteria that were induced into a VBNC state were transferred to a newly prepared tryptic soy broth (TSB) and then incubated at 37°C for several days. After more than 7 days, E. coli O157:H7 and S. Enteritidis regained their culturability. We, therefore, suggest that E. coli O157:H7 and S. Enteritidis entered the VBNC state under the adverse condition of higher salt concentrations and were revived when these conditions were reversed.     

广西蚕沙细菌组成多样性解析和VBNC菌群的发掘

【目的】解析广西蚕沙中细菌群落组成与多样性,为蚕沙中菌种资源发掘和蚕沙的综合利用提供科学依据。【方法】通过高通量测序技术研究细菌群落组成特征,同时利用常规稀释涂布平板法和基于复苏促进因子(Rpf)的MPN培养系统解析并筛选蚕沙中可培养和活的非可培养(VBNC)状态的优势菌群,并经16SrRNA基因测序对筛选得到的菌株作初步分类鉴定。【结果】高通量测序表明,广西蚕沙样品中细菌归属于10个门、18个纲、27个目、57个科、96个属,其中4个属的丰度达1%以上,优势菌群为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)肠杆菌属(Enterobacter);通过稀释涂布平板法共获得14个属的33株可培养细菌,其中4个属(Citrobacter、Weissella、Chitinophaga、Pseudoclavibacter)在高通量测序中未被检测到;而在MPN培养系统中,基于复苏促进因子的处理组细菌总数最大检出丰度提高了100倍,并从中共检出21株对Rpf敏感的VBNC菌株,其中6个属(Paenibacillus、Caulobacter、Roseomonas、Pantoea、Erwinia、Acine...     

Characterization of the Viable but Nonculturable (VBNC) State in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Viable But Non Culturable (VBNC) state has been thoroughly studied in bacteria. In contrast, it has received much less attention in other microorganisms. However, it has been suggested that various yeast species occurring in wine may enter in VBNC following sulfite stress.In order to provide conclusive evidences for the existence of a VBNC state in yeast, the ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to enter into a VBNC state by applying sulfite stress was investigated. Viable populations were monitored by flow cytometry while culturable populations were followed by plating on culture medium. Twenty-four hours after the application of the stress, the comparison between the culturable population and the viable population demonstrated the presence of viable cells that were non culturable. In addition, removal of the stress by increasing the pH of the medium at different time intervals into the VBNC state allowed the VBNC S. cerevisiae cells to “resuscitate”. The similarity between the cell cycle profiles of VBNC cells and cells exiting the VBNC state together with the generation rate of cells exiting VBNC state demonstrated the absence of cellular multiplication during the exit from the VBNC state. This provides evidence of a true VBNC state. To get further insight into the molecular mechanism pertaining to the VBNC state, we studied the involvement of the SSU1 gene, encoding a sulfite pump in S. cerevisiae. The physiological behavior of wild-type S. cerevisiae was compared to those of a recombinant strain overexpressing SSU1 and null Δssu1 mutant. Our results demonstrated that the SSU1 gene is only implicated in the first stages of sulfite resistance but not per se in the VBNC phenotype. Our study clearly demonstrated the existence of an SO₂-induced VBNC state in S. cerevisiae and that the stress removal allows the “resuscitation” of VBNC cells during the VBNC state.     

3种水稻土中7株固氮蓝细菌的分离与特征

【背景】蓝细菌是水生和陆地生态系统中生物固氮的主要贡献者。【目的】增加对稻田土壤固氮蓝细菌的了解,获得用于进一步研究的可培养固氮蓝细菌菌株。【方法】选择3种具有不同固氮能力的水稻土,采用BG11-N培养基分离培养固氮蓝细菌菌株,对新分离菌株进行形态特征观察,通过基因组DNA的nifH基因扩增明确其固氮潜力,进一步采用乙炔还原法和~(15)N_2示踪法定量测定其固氮能力,通过基因组DNA的16SrRNA基因序列比对进行鉴定。【结果】在光照培养条件下,采用BG11-N培养基共分离纯化得到自养菌株7株,细胞呈圆形或椭圆形、单列、无分枝、丝状和念珠状,在固体培养基上形成团垫状菌落。新分离菌株在BG11-N培养基中生长状况良好,以基因组DNA为模板可扩增出nifH基因,乙炔还原法和~(15)N_2示踪法测定结果显示具有较高固氮能力,同时具有铁载体生成能力。结合16S rRNA基因序列比对和形态特征,7株菌被初步鉴定隶属于念珠藻科(Nostocaceae)。【结论】从水稻土中分离到在稻田生物固氮中发挥重要作用的蓝细菌(念珠藻科)菌株,可培养固氮蓝细菌菌株固氮能力较高,兼具铁载体生成能力,可作为进一步深入研究的微生物资源,具有潜在的研究应用价值。     

Cross‐protective effect of acid‐adapted Salmonella enterica on resistance to lethal acid and cold stress conditions

Aims: To evaluate the cross‐protected Salmonella enterica cells under acid and cold stress conditions. Methods and Results: The acid‐adapted S. enterica cells were exposed to pH 4·0 at 4 and 20°C. Recovery of sublethally injured cells was estimated by the difference between the counts obtained on trypticase soy agar (TSA) and xylose lysine desoxycholate (XLD) agar. The survival curves of nonadapted and acid‐adapted S. enterica cells at pH 4·0 were fitted with Weibull distribution model. The recovery behaviour of injured S. enterica cells was estimated by the modified Gompertz parameters. Acid‐adapted S. enterica were more resistant to subsequent acid shock than the nonadapted cells. The numbers of nonadapted S. enterica cells were decreased by 4·57 and 7·55 log CFU ml^?1 at 4 and 20°C after 12‐day acid challenge, respectively. The acid adaptation induced cross‐protection and viable nonculturable (VBNC) state against low acid and cold stresses. The 7‐h adaptation showed the least recovery of injured cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that acid‐adapted S. enterica cells induced acid tolerance response and VBNC state. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results provide useful information for understanding the induction of cross‐protected and VBNC pathogens under various stresses, which might be needed in designing new food preservation strategies.     

一株牛源都柏林沙门氏菌的全基因组测序及毒力与耐药性分析

【背景】沙门氏菌(Salmonella spp.)是重要的人畜共患病原菌,其毒力和耐药性的不断增强引起广泛关注。【目的】了解从通辽市一犊牛死亡病例中所分离牛源都柏林沙门氏菌的毒力及耐药性情况。【方法】以病死犊牛肺脏为材料,经细菌分离纯化及16S rRNA基因测序,鉴定病原为沙门氏菌。采用动物试验、药敏试验和PCR方法对分离菌进行毒力、耐药性,以及毒力基因和耐药基因检测,并对其进行全基因组测序分析。【结果】分离菌具有较强毒力,对小鼠半数致死量为2.8×10⁶ CFU/mL。分离菌为多重耐药菌,仅对多粘菌素B和噻孢霉素敏感,对强力霉素和恩诺沙星中度敏感。检测13种沙门氏菌常见毒力基因,检出率为92.3%。对分离菌进行全基因组测序分析,该菌株为都柏林沙门氏菌,基因组大小为4 965 370 bp,GC含量为52.12%,同时携带2个质粒,大小分别为79 524 bp (pTLS-1)和45 301 bp (pTLS-2)。分离菌中共携带996个毒力基因和24个毒力岛;共携带42个耐药基因,其中4个为可水平转移基因,基因组中存在9个可移动遗传元件,包括插入序列和转座子等。【结论】分离牛源都柏林沙门氏菌菌株具有较强毒力且为多重耐药株,携带大量毒力基因及耐药基因。     

Public Health Assessment of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Inactivated-Vaccine Treatment in Layer Flocks

Although there have been several reports on the efficacy assessment of a Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis vaccine against intestinal and parenchymatous organ diseases of laying hens, no public health risk characterization of its long-term effect on eggs has been reported. In this study, we attempted to assess the public health effect of an inactivated S. enterica serovar Enteritidis vaccine against serovar Enteritidis contamination of chicken eggs. We analyzed serovar Enteritidis isolation test results from four windowless farms in which inactivated-vaccine administration was initiated based on the sanitary monitoring program of a farm. When flocks with and without S. enterica serovar Enteritidis vaccine treatments were mixed, the application of an inactivated serovar Enteritidis vaccine decreased the most probable number (MPN) of bacteria by at least 100-fold in broken (liquid) egg samples positive for serovar Enteritidis, although a statistical difference between those MPNs could not be obtained. The isolation frequency after the vaccine application was less than 1/10 (P < 0.01). No S. enterica serovar Enteritidis bacteria were isolated approximately 1 year after all of the chickens had received the inactivated serovar Enteritidis vaccine. It was suggested that an adequate administration of an inactivated serovar Enteritidis vaccine reduced the contamination risk of eggs (the number of isolated serovar Enteritidis cells and detection frequency) compared to the contamination risk of eggs laid by nonvaccinated hens.     

Characterization and resuscitation of viable but nonculturable <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio alginolyticus</Emphasis> VIB283

The aim of this study was to investigate the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state of the bacterium. Vibrio alginolyticus VIB283 was cultured in sterilized seawater microcosm at 4°C. Culturability of the cells in the microcosm was monitored by spread plate count (PC) on 2216E agar, PCs declined to undetectable levels (<0.1 CFU/ml) within 90 days. Total cell counts remained constant throughout the period as determined by acridine orange direct count (AODC). The direct viable counts, on the other hand, declined from 10¹⁰ to 10⁹ CFU/ml active cells and remained fairly constant at this level by direct viable count (DVC), which indicated that a large population of cells entered into the VBNC state. The VBNC cells could be resuscitated by temperature upshift with and without the presence of nutrition. The resuscitated time were 16 h and 8 days respectively. The resuscitation was not achieved in chick embryos. The morphology of the VBNC, normal and resuscitated cells was studied with scanning electron microscope and flow cytometry. The cells changed from rod or arc to coccoid and decreased in size when entered into the VBNC state. The resuscitated and the normal cells had almost no morphological differences.     

Dormant/unculturable cells of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida

Viable cells of Aeromonas salmonicida remained in experimental marine systems after plate counts indicated an absence of culturable cells. These so-called viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells were coccoid and smaller than their normal culturable counterparts. There was no reduction in lipopolysaccharide of the VBNC cells. There was an alteration in protein composition, however, with a decline in some (15, 70, 30, 22, and 17 kDa), but an increase in another protein (49 kDa). A significant loss of DNA occurred. The VBNC cells responded to fluorescent antibodies prepared against A. salmonicida by developing enlarged and bizarre shapes in the presence of yeast extract and nalidixic acid (the direct viable count technique), and they demonstrated respiratory activity. It was concluded that A. salmonicida survived in seawater, but major morphological changes occurred with cells retaining some viability but losing pathogenicity to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).