Isolation of novel mycobacteria contaminating an aquarium fish tank in a Japanese university hospital

Aims: To better understand nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) contamination in a hospital setting, six freshwater fish gut homogenates and water in an aquarium fish tank placed on the reception counter of a nursing station were cultured for mycobacteria. Methods and Results: By direct sequencing of 16s rRNA, rpoB and hsp65, scotochromogenic and nonchromogenic Mycobacterium szulgai isolates containing hsp65 type II (GenBank accession nos. FJ384762 and FJ384764 , respectively), Mycobacterium gordonae isolates containing rpoB clusters B and E (GenBank accession no. FJ384766 ), and Mycobacterium kansasii isolates containing hsp65 type VI were collected from the gut homogenates and water from the fish tank. However, no isolates were obtained from the tap water used to refill the fish tank. A randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using a 10‐mer primer (5′‐TGGTCGCGGC) showed that some NTM from the fish tank water were identical to those obtained from the gut homogenates. Conclusions: Fish and water in the tank were contaminated by the novel NTM. Significance and Impact of the Study: These findings could help to elucidate infection routes and contamination sources of novel NTM from water sources.     

Proteomics approach to understand reduced clearance of mycobacteria and high viral titers during HIV–mycobacteria co‐infection

Environmental mycobacteria, highly prevalent in natural and artificial (including chlorinated municipal water) niches, are emerging as new threat to human health, especially to HIV‐infected population. These seemingly harmless non‐pathogenic mycobacteria, which are otherwise cleared, establish as opportunistic infections adding to HIV‐associated complications. Although immune‐evading strategies of pathogenic mycobacteria are known, the mechanisms underlying the early events by which opportunistic mycobacteria establish infection in macrophages and influencing HIV infection are unclear. Proteomics of phagosome‐enriched fractions from Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) mono‐infected and HIV–M. bovis BCG co‐infected THP‐1 cells by LC‐MALDI‐MS/MS revealed differential distribution of 260 proteins. Validation of the proteomics data showed that HIV co‐infection helped the survival of non‐pathogenic mycobacteria by obstructing phagosome maturation, promoting lipid biogenesis and increasing intracellular ATP equivalents. In turn, mycobacterial co‐infection up‐regulated purinergic receptors in macrophages that are known to support HIV entry, explaining increased viral titers during co‐infection. The mutualism was reconfirmed using clinically relevant opportunistic mycobacteria, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium phlei that exhibited increased survival during co‐infection, together with increase in HIV titers. Additionally, the catalogued proteins in the study provide new leads that will significantly add to the understanding of the biology of opportunistic mycobacteria and HIV coalition.     

Isolation and identification of a 92-kDa stress induced protein from Candida albicans

Mycopathologia - It was previously shown that the presence of estrogen enhances survival of Candida albicans under heat and oxidative stresses. A 92-kDa protein is inducible by heat shock and...     

Isolation and identification of mycobacteria from livestock specimens and milk obtained in Brazil

The prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis and other mycobacterial species in livestock specimens and milk was evaluated. An emphasis was placed upon the distribution of these organisms in milk that is readily available to the public that was either untreated, pasteurized, or treated using ultra high temperature. Twenty-two pathologic specimens from livestock (bovine, swine and bubaline) in five Brazilian states and 128 bovine milk samples from retail markets in the State of S o Paulo were examined for mycobacteria. Identification was made by classical biochemical tests, thin layer chromatography of mycolic acids and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Mycobacteria were isolated from 15 (68.2%) caseous lesions and from 23 (18%) milk samples. Eleven isolates were identified as M. bovis, and the remaining 27 nontuberculous mycobacterial isolates were represented by five species and six unidentified rapidly growing mycobacterial strains. The data demonstrate that animal products in Brazil are frequent reservoirs of mycobacteria and may pose a risk to the public.     

Development of a simple and low-cost real-time PCR method for the identification of commonly encountered mycobacteria in a high throughput laboratory

Aims:  To facilitate efficient identification of commonly encountered mycobacteria species ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Mycobacterium avium , Mycobacterium intracellulare , Mycobacterium fortuitum complex , Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus , Mycobacterium kansasii , Mycobacterium gordonae ) in high throughput laboratories, a 16s rDNA sequence based real-time PCR assay was developed and evaluated.
Methods and Results:  Oligonucleotide primers and hybridization probes were designed based on sequence differences of the mycobacterial 16S rDNA gene. This assay was evaluated with 1649 suspected non-tuberculosis mycobacterial isolates. Apart from 3 out of 40  M. avium isolates that showed false signal with M. intracellulare specific probe, 100% specificity was obtained for all tested probes. Assay sensitivity varied from 88·9 to 100% depending on species. Average cost for obtaining a definite identification was only USD 1·1 with an average turn around time of less than 3 days.
Conclusions:  A rapid, simple and inexpensive real-time PCR assay was developed for the identification of common encountered mycobacteria in a high throughput laboratory setting.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  With this assay, more than 80% of the clinically isolated nontuberculous mycobacteria could be identified in a highly cost effective manner. This helped to save resources for other laboratory activities especially in high throughput mycobacterial laboratories.     

Isolation and identification of threeCellulomonas spp. from forest soils

Three stains of cellulose-degrading, aerobic, mesophilic bacteria were isolated from forest soils and, from their cultural, biochemical, and physiological characteristics, they were identified as members of the genusCellulomonas. Unusual biochemical characteristics, e.g. urea hydrolysis, were observed in two isolates. These characteristics have not previously been reported for cellulomonads and may prove to be significant for characterization ofCellulomonas spp. The isolates were able to use urea as a N source in cellulose fermentation. All three strains were motile, with one to four peritrichous flagella observed. Amino acid and polysaccharide composition of the cell walls of the three isolates were identical.     

新疆盐碱地土壤耐盐芽胞杆菌的分离和鉴定

为了开发利用新疆盐碱地的耐盐菌资源,从该盐碱地土样中分离并纯化出11株耐盐能力较高的菌株,并从形态特征和16S rDNA序列分析对这些菌株进行鉴定。结果表明,11个菌株均为产芽胞,革兰氏阳性细菌。通过对这11个菌株的16S rDNA进行测序和同源性比较,发现它们与芽胞杆菌的相似性均达到99%。因此,这些菌株被鉴定为Bacillus sp.。11株菌均不能在NaCl质量浓度大于220 g/L条件下生长,属于中度耐盐菌株。耐盐基因的PCR扩增结果表明,只有NYT21、23、25、27、29等5株菌株含有pro耐盐基因,暗示这些耐盐芽胞杆菌具有不同的耐盐机制。     

高磷土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的分离鉴定

【背景】丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌具有广泛的寄主范围、环境适应性和优良的植物促生能力。然而,土壤的高磷水平严重抑制了AM真菌生长及AM形成。【目的】分离鉴定出耐较高有效磷含量的华南土著AM真菌菌株,为菌根学研究工作提供新颖材料。【方法】采用经典形态学和分子系统学方法鉴定高磷土壤中AM真菌。【结果】从有效磷含量为53-131 (平均值±标准差为88.2±17.6) mg/kg的根区土壤中鉴定出7属25种AM真菌,包括无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora) 12种、球囊霉属(Glomus) 7种、隔球囊霉属(Septoglomus) 2种、近明球囊霉属(Claroideoglomus) 1种、根孢囊霉属(Rhizophagus) 1种、硬囊霉属(Sclerocystis) 1种和类球囊霉属(Paraglomus) 1种,其中幼套近明球囊霉(Claroideoglomus etunicatum)和蜜色无梗囊霉(Acaulospora mellea)是优势种。在(87.7±8.0) mg/kg的高磷水平下,AM真菌仍能形成丛枝和泡囊。但当有效磷含量达到(99.7±1.2) mg/kg时,菌根侵染率和丛枝丰度显著下降,但仍能够形成泡囊。【结论】从广州市南沙区有效磷含量为(88.2±17.6) mg/kg的耕地植物根区土壤中,鉴定出具有耐高磷潜力的7属25种AM真菌,幼套近明球囊霉和蜜色无梗囊霉等分离株可作为后续高磷抑制机制解析及耐高磷AM真菌菌剂研发工作的试验菌株。     

A comparison of mycolic acid analysis for nontuberculous mycobacteria identification by thin-layer chromatography and molecular methods

The development of fast, inexpensive, and reliable tests to identify nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is needed. Studies have indicated that the conventional identification procedures, including biochemical assays, are imprecise. This study evaluated a proposed alternative identification method in which 83 NTM isolates, previously identified by conventional biochemical testing and in-house M. avium IS1245-PCR amplification, were submitted to the following tests: thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of mycolic acids and PCR-restriction enzyme analysis of hsp65(PRA). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of mycolic acids and Southern blot analysis for M. avium IS1245 were performed on the strains that evidenced discrepancies on either of the above tests. Sixty-eight out of 83 (82%) isolates were concordantly identified by the presence of IS1245 and PRA and by TLC mycolic acid analysis. Discrepant results were found between the phenotypic and molecular tests in 12/83 (14.4%) isolates. Most of these strains were isolated from non-sterile body sites and were most probably colonizing in the host tissue. While TLC patterns suggested the presence of polymycobacterial infection in 3/83 (3.6%) cultures, this was the case in only one HPLC-tested culture and in none of those tested by PRA. The results of this study indicated that, as a phenotypic identification procedure, TLC mycolic acid determination could be considered a relatively simple and cost-effective method for routine screening of NTM isolates in mycobacteriology laboratory practice with a potential for use in developing countries. Further positive evidence was that this method demonstrated general agreement on MAC and M. simiae identification, including in the mixed cultures that predominated in the isolates of the disseminated infections in the AIDS patients under study. In view of the fact that the same treatment regimen is recommended for infections caused by these two species, TLC mycolic acid analysis may be a useful identification tool wherever molecular methods are unaffordable.     

Isolation and identification of thiocyanate utilizing chemolithotrophs from gold mine soils

A mixed bacterial culture capable of growing in potassium-thiocyanatecontaining medium (200 mg KSCN) has been isolated from bacterial suspensions of soilsamples collected near gold mines in Kumjung (Korea). The isolates were initially characterized by metabolic profile analysis and were identified as Bacillus thermoglucosidasius,Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus mycoides, Brevibacteriumepidermidis, Brevibacterium otitidis, and Corynebacterium nitrilophilus.One of the seven isolates was initially characterized as Brevibacterium epidermidis,which is not known to degrade thiocyanate. However, using 16S rDNA sequencing, thisstrain was identified as a member of Klebsiella. The strain shows high similarityvalues (95.8 to 96.4%) with Klebsiella species, and the closest known relative was foundto be K. ornithinolytica ATCC 31898. The result indicates that species of the genusKlebsiella were the closest phylogenetic relatives of the investigated strain. This isthe first known report of a member of Klebsiella that is capable of utilizing thiocyanate assole source of carbon and nitrogen.     

Isolation and identification of a strain ofLeptospirillum ferriphilum from an extreme acid mine drainage site

Based on a new selective isolation strategy that mimicked physiological characteristics of leptospirilla, such as pH, temperature and its less sensitivity to the high ferric-ferrous iron ratio, a bacterial strain, called strain YSK, was isolated from an extreme acid mine drainage (AMD) site. Cells were Gram-negative, small curved rods measuring 0.27–0.52 by 0.81–3.17 μm. The cell shape suggested that strain YSK was likely a strain ofLeptospirillum ferrooxidans. However, based on the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, strain YSK possessed 100% sequence similarity with that of the typicalLeptospirillum ferriphilum strain Fairview; furthermore, the G+C content, the size of the 16S–23S rRNA gene spacer regions and the ability to grow at 45°C further indicated that strain YSK belonged to the speciesLeptospirillum ferriphilum.     

Detection and identification of mycobacteria by mycolic acid analysis of sputum specimens and young cultures

Ziehl–Neelsen acid-fast staining and mycolic acid analysis of concentrated samples and Middlebrook 7H9 cultures were carried out on 127 sputum specimens to evaluate a rapid method for detecting and identifying mycobacteria by analyzing fluorescent derivatives of mycolic acids in concentrated sputum specimens and in Middlebrook 7H9 cultures and compare with mycobacterial detection using Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ) cultures. All samples were classified into five groups according to the number of acid-fast bacilli observed in the smear. The group of samples with 3+ acid-fast bacilli in the smear had the highest number of positive detections of mycolic acids in the concentrated samples and the Middlebrook 7H9 cultures (81.8 and 100%, respectively). The overall percentages of mycolic acid detection for both sample types were 43.2 and 91.3%, respectively. The mycolic acid analysis of the Middlebrook 7H9 cultures had the fewest false negative detections with respect to the LJ cultures. The analysis of fluorescent derivatives of mycolic acids, using HPLC, is useful for concentrated sputum samples with large number of bacilli (3+) and is preferred for Middlebrook 7H9 cultures, even for clinical specimens with a low number of bacilli. Furthermore, with this analytical method, the simultaneous detection and identification of mycobacteria is usually possible.     

2018—2020年平顶山地区非结核分枝杆菌菌种鉴定及耐药性分析

本文旨在观察2018—2020年河南省平顶山地区非结核分枝杆菌(nontuberculous mycobacteria,NTM)的菌种分布及耐药情况。收集2018年1月—2020年12月平顶山市传染病医院分离到的326株NTM,采用DNA微阵列芯片鉴定菌种,改良罗氏培养基比例法进行药敏试验。结果显示,从61～80岁患者中分离的NTM菌株最多,其次是41～60岁患者。共鉴定出8个NTM菌种,分别为胞内分枝杆菌(35.28%)、龟/脓肿分枝杆菌(24.85%)、鸟分枝杆菌(18.40%)、偶然分枝杆菌(5.21%)、戈登分枝杆菌(1.23%)、堪萨斯分枝杆菌(12.58%)、浅黄分枝杆菌(1.53%)、瘰疬分枝杆菌(0.92%)。NTM对异烟肼的耐药率最高,为97.85%。除戈登分枝杆菌外,其他NTM菌种对异烟肼的耐药率均＞94%;胞内分枝杆菌对丙硫异烟胺的耐药率(8.70%)相对较低,鸟分枝杆菌对丙硫异烟胺的耐药率为10.00%;龟/脓肿分枝杆菌对异烟肼、利福平、链霉素、乙胺丁醇、阿米卡星的耐药率均＞95%;偶然分枝杆菌对左氧氟沙星的耐药率为35.29%,堪萨斯分枝杆菌对左氧氟沙星的耐药率最低(7.32%);戈登分枝杆菌对异烟肼、乙胺丁醇、链霉素、对氨基水杨酸的耐药率均≥50%;浅黄分枝杆菌对乙胺丁醇、左氧氟沙星、阿米卡星、卡那霉素的耐药率均＜50%;瘰疬分枝杆菌对阿米卡星和丙硫异烟胺的耐药率为0。结果提示,2018—2020年河南省平顶山地区鉴定出的8个NTM菌种中,胞内分枝杆菌占比最高,不同菌种对不同抗结核药物的耐药性差异较大,因此菌种鉴定对临床治疗有重要意义。     

Effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on osteoblast differentiation in an osteoblast and endothelial cell co-culture system

We have investigated the in vitro effects and regulatory mechanism of CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) on the differentiation of OB (osteoblasts) in co-culture with HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). Primary human MOB (mandibular OB) and OB-like cells (MG-63) were either cultured directly or indirectly co-cultured with HUVEC at a 1:1 ratio. Expression of OC (osteocalcin) was measured by ELISA, and expression of ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and collagen mRNA was measured by quantitative fluorescent PCR. For mineralization nodus, OB were stained with Alizarin Red-S. When co-cultured with HUVEC, expression of OC and ALP mRNA were increased in MG-63 (P<0.01), and the expression of OC, ALP and collagen mRNA were increased in MOB (P<0.01 or 0.05). When treated with CGRP, OC and ALP mRNA and mineralization nodus numbers were increased in the MG-63 co-culture system (P<0.01 or 0.05); OC, ALP and collagen mRNA, and mineralization nodus numbers were increased in the MOB co-culture system (P<0.01 or 0.05). The effect of CGRP regulation on the differentiation of OB is not only direct but also indirect, via its effect on HUVEC and stimulation of OB.     

东北旱田土壤中Anabaena伴生细菌的分离与鉴定

[背景]鱼腥藻(Anabaena)在农田土壤中广泛分布,具有固碳和固氮功能。明确伴生细菌与蓝细菌的关系,对提高农田土壤中Anabaena的功能具有重要意义。[目的]从东北不同旱田土壤中分离Anabaena sp.PCC7120的伴生细菌,初步鉴定伴生细菌的分类归属,推测伴生细菌的功能,为明确旱田土壤蓝细菌与伴生细菌的关系提供数据支撑。[方法]采用平板分离、PCR-DGGE、克隆测序技术测定并分析不同旱田土壤中伴生细菌的16S rRNA基因序列,确定伴生细菌的分类地位。[结果]PCR-DGGE图谱显示东北旱田14个土样中分离获得Anabaena sp.PCC7120伴生细菌数量和种类不同;PCR-克隆测序获得伴生细菌的16S rRNA基因序列37条,可鉴定到种水平的菌株36条,主要归为鞘氨醇盒菌属(Sphingopyxis)、贪噬菌属(Variovorax)、黄杆菌属(Flavobacterium)和红球菌属(Rhodococcus)等,推测这些伴生细菌具有适应寡营养、富集微量元素、清除毒素等功效。[结论]东北旱田不同土壤中Anabaena sp.PCC7120伴生细菌种类和数量各异,这...     

鸭舌草中抗氧化活性物质的分离与鉴定

采用溶剂萃取法将鸭舌草75%乙醇提取物浸膏分成4个不同组分,并用碘量法测定其抗氧化活性.结果表明,高极性组分正丁醇相具有最强的抗氧化活性,与天然抗氧化剂茶多酚和化学合成抗氧化剂BHT的抗氧化活性相当,显著高于对照.利用柱层析技术对具有高抗氧化活性组分正丁醇相进一步分离纯化,并确定为豆甾醇葡萄糖甙.以BHT为对照对羟自由基进行清除试验,结果表明,与对照抗氧化剂BHT相比,它们对羟自由基具有更高的清除率.     

分枝杆菌脂聚糖的分离、纯化及其结构和功能分析

【目的】建立分离、纯化分枝杆菌脂聚糖的方法,初步比较分析不同菌株来源的脂阿拉伯甘露聚糖(Lipoarabinomannan,LAM)和脂甘露聚糖(Lipomannan,LM)的结构差异及研究脂聚糖刺激对巨噬细胞环氧合酶-2(Cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2)蛋白表达的影响。【方法】应用Triton X-114液相法提取脂聚糖,电洗脱法分离纯化,基质辅助激光解析电离串联飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS)进行分子量鉴定;基于特异性识别非还原性末端α-D-甘露糖基的刀豆球蛋白(Concanavalin A,Con A)分析新诺分枝杆菌JDM601、结核分枝杆菌H37Rv标准株和耻垢分枝杆菌mc2155脂聚糖的结构差异;进一步用Western blot检测脂聚糖刺激的RAW 264.7巨噬细胞COX-2蛋白的表达。【结果】通过电洗脱法成功纯化出3种菌株脂聚糖;MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS鉴定发现,分子量从小到大依次为新诺分枝杆菌JDM601、耻垢分枝杆菌mc2155和结核分枝杆菌H37Rv来源的脂聚糖。Western blot显示,Con A能与结核分枝杆菌H37Rv标准株来源的LAM相互作用,而不能与新诺分枝杆菌JDM601和耻垢分枝杆菌来源的LAM相互作用;并且发现Con A与新诺分枝杆菌JDM601来源的LM有很强的反应,然而与其余两种来源的LM反应很弱。3种菌株来源的脂聚糖均能刺激RAW 264.7巨噬细胞COX-2蛋白的表达。【结论】首次成功对来源于中国临床分枝杆菌分离株的脂聚糖进行了分离纯化,初步探讨了不同菌株来源分枝杆菌脂聚糖的结构差异,并表明LAM和LM均能刺激巨噬细胞诱导COX-2蛋白的表达,为进一步研究其对宿主的毒力和免疫机制奠定了基础。