scholarly journals Is Lactobacillus Gram-Positive? A Case Study of Lactobacillus iners

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 969
Author(s):  
Hyaekang Kim ◽  
Taehyun Kim ◽  
Jaeku Kang ◽  
Younghoon Kim ◽  
Heebal Kim

Lactobacillus iners is the most prevalent bacterial species in the human vaginal microbiome, and there have been few reports of its Gram-negative stain appearances despite the fact that the genus Lactobacillus is universally described as Gram-positive. Here, using transmission electron microscopy, we reveal that the thinness of the cell wall (17.39 ± 0.8 nm) gives the Gram-negative stain appearance, which can lead to over-diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Moreover, comparative genome analysis identified four genes commonly absent in L. iners genomes that might contribute to this phenotypic difference. We suggest that, along with the several niche-specific attributes identified, this unique feature may contribute to the species’ distinguished capability to thrive as the predominant species in the fluctuating vaginal environment as well.

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 4715
Author(s):  
Adam Kubiak ◽  
Marta Kubacka ◽  
Elżbieta Gabała ◽  
Anna Dobrowolska ◽  
Karol Synoradzki ◽  
...  

The TiO2-Fe3O4 composite materials were fabricated via the hydrothermal-assisted technique. It was determined how the molar ratio of TiO2 to Fe3O4 influences the crystalline structure and morphology of the synthesized composite materials. The effect of the molar ratio of components on the antibacterial activity was also analyzed. On the basis of XRD patterns for the obtained titanium(IV) oxide-iron(II, III) oxide composites, the two separate crystalline forms—anatase and magnetite —were observed. Transmission electron microscopy revealed particles of cubic and tetragonal shape for TiO2 and spherical for Fe3O4. The results of low-temperature nitrogen sorption analysis indicated that an increase in the iron(II, III) oxide content leads to a decrease in the BET surface area. Moreover, the superparamagnetic properties of titanium(IV) oxide-iron(II, III) oxide composites should be noted. An important aim of the work was to determine the antibacterial activity of selected TiO2-Fe3O4 materials. For this purpose, two representative strains of bacteria, the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, were used. The titanium(IV) oxide-iron(II, III) oxide composites demonstrated a large zone of growth inhibition for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, it was found that the analyzed materials can be reused as antibacterial agents in three consecutive cycles with good results.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Sien Ombelet ◽  
Alessandra Natale ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Ronat ◽  
Olivier Vandenberg ◽  
Liselotte Hardy ◽  
...  

Bacterial identification is challenging in low-resource settings (LRS). We evaluated the MicroScan identification panels (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA) as part of Médecins Sans Frontières’ Mini-lab Project. The MicroScan Dried Overnight Positive ID Type 3 (PID3) panels for Gram-positive organisms and Dried Overnight Negative ID Type 2 (NID2) panels for Gram-negative organisms were assessed with 367 clinical isolates from LRS. Robustness was studied by inoculating Gram-negative species on the Gram-positive panel and vice versa. The ease of use of the panels and readability of the instructions for use (IFU) were evaluated. Of species represented in the MicroScan database, 94.6% (185/195) of Gram-negative and 85.9% (110/128) of Gram-positive isolates were correctly identified up to species level. Of species not represented in the database (e.g., Streptococcus suis and Bacillus spp.), 53.1% out of 49 isolates were incorrectly identified as non-related bacterial species. Testing of Gram-positive isolates on Gram-negative panels and vice versa (n = 144) resulted in incorrect identifications for 38.2% of tested isolates. The readability level of the IFU was considered too high for LRS. Inoculation of the panels was favorably evaluated, whereas the visual reading of the panels was considered error-prone. In conclusion, the accuracy of the MicroScan identification panels was excellent for Gram-negative species and good for Gram-positive species. Improvements in stability, robustness, and ease of use have been identified to assure adaptation to LRS constraints.


Micromachines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuguang Liu ◽  
Dirk Schulze-Makuch ◽  
Jean-Pierre de Vera ◽  
Charles Cockell ◽  
Thomas Leya ◽  
...  

Single-cell sequencing is a powerful technology that provides the capability of analyzing a single cell within a population. This technology is mostly coupled with microfluidic systems for controlled cell manipulation and precise fluid handling to shed light on the genomes of a wide range of cells. So far, single-cell sequencing has been focused mostly on human cells due to the ease of lysing the cells for genome amplification. The major challenges that bacterial species pose to genome amplification from single cells include the rigid bacterial cell walls and the need for an effective lysis protocol compatible with microfluidic platforms. In this work, we present a lysis protocol that can be used to extract genomic DNA from both gram-positive and gram-negative species without interfering with the amplification chemistry. Corynebacterium glutamicum was chosen as a typical gram-positive model and Nostoc sp. as a gram-negative model due to major challenges reported in previous studies. Our protocol is based on thermal and chemical lysis. We consider 80% of single-cell replicates that lead to >5 ng DNA after amplification as successful attempts. The protocol was directly applied to Gloeocapsa sp. and the single cells of the eukaryotic Sphaerocystis sp. and achieved a 100% success rate.


2006 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish A. Sawant ◽  
Narasimha V. Hegde ◽  
Beth A. Straley ◽  
Sarah C. Donaldson ◽  
Brenda C. Love ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to understand the descriptive and molecular epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative enteric bacteria in the feces of healthy lactating dairy cattle. Gram-negative enteric bacteria resistant to ampicillin, florfenicol, spectinomycin, and tetracycline were isolated from the feces of 35, 8, 5, and 42% of 213 lactating cattle on 74, 39, 9, 26, and 82% of 23 farms surveyed, respectively. Antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative bacteria accounted for 5 (florfenicol) to 14% (tetracycline) of total gram-negative enteric microflora. Nine bacterial species were isolated, of which Escherichia coli (87%) was the most predominant species. MICs showing reduced susceptibility to ampicillin, ceftiofur, chloramphenicol, florfenicol, spectinomycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline were observed in E. coli isolates. Isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin (48%), ceftiofur (11%), chloramphenicol (20%), florfenicol (78%), spectinomycin (18%), and tetracycline (93%). Multidrug resistance (≥3 to 6 antimicrobials) was seen in 40% of E. coli isolates from healthy lactating cattle. Of 113 tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates, tet(B) was the predominant resistance determinant and was detected in 93% of isolates, while the remaining 7% isolates carried the tet(A) determinant. DNA-DNA hybridization assays revealed that tet determinants were located on the chromosome. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates (n = 99 isolates) belonged to 60 subtypes, which is suggestive of a highly diverse population of tetracycline-resistant organisms. On most occasions, E. coli subtypes, although shared between cows within the herd, were confined mostly to a dairy herd. The findings of this study suggest that commensal enteric E. coli from healthy lactating cattle can be an important reservoir for tetracycline and perhaps other antimicrobial resistance determinants.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2243-2251
Author(s):  
Azhar G. Shalaby ◽  
Neveen R. Bakry ◽  
Abeer A. E. Mohamed ◽  
Ashraf A. Khalil

Background and Aim: Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards simplify sample storage, transport, and extraction by reducing cost and time for diagnosis. This study evaluated the FTA suitability for safe transport and storage of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells of animal origin on its liquid culture form and from organ impression smears (tissues) under the same routine condition of microbiological laboratory along with detecting their nucleic acid over different storage conditions. Materials and Methods: Increase in bacterial count from 104 to 107 (colony-forming units/mL) of 78 isolates representing seven bacterial species was applied onto cards. FTA cards were grouped and inoculated by these bacteria and then stored at different conditions of 24-27°C, 4°C, and –20°C for 24 h, for 2 weeks, for 1 and 3 month storage, respectively. Bacteriological examination was done, after which bacterial DNA was identified using specific primers for each bacterial type and detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The total percentage of recovered bacteria from FTA cards was 66.7% at 24-27–C for 24 h, the detection limit was 100% in Gram-positive species, while it was 57.4% in Gram-negative ones. Regarding viable cell detection from organ impression smears, it was successful under the previous conditions. No live bacterial cells were observed by bacteriological isolation rather than only at 24-27°C for 24 h storage. All bacterial DNA were sufficiently confirmed by the PCR technique at different conditions. Conclusion: Overall, the FTA card method was observed to be a valid tool for nucleic acid purification for bacteria of animal origin in the form of culture or organ smears regardless of its Gram type and is used for a short time only 24 h for storage and transport of live bacteria specifically Gram-positive type. Moreover, the bacterial nucleic acid was intact after storage in –20°C for 3 months and was PCR amplifiable.


Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Rory Gough ◽  
Joel Barratt ◽  
Damien Stark ◽  
John Ellis

AbstractThe presence of bacterial DNA in Dientamoeba fragilis DNA extracts from culture poses a substantial challenge to sequencing the D. fragilis genome. However, elimination of bacteria from D. fragilis cultures has proven difficult in the past, presumably due to its dependence on some unknown prokaryote/s. This study explored options for removal of bacteria from D. fragilis cultures and for the generation of genome sequence data from D. fragilis. DNA was extracted from human faecal samples and xenic D. fragilis cultures. Extracts were subjected to 16S ribosomal DNA bacterial diversity profiling. Xenic D. fragilis cultures were then subject to antibiotic treatment regimens that systematically removed bacterial species depending on their membrane structure (Gram-positive or Gram-negative) and aerobic requirements. The impact of these treatments on cultures was assessed by 16S amplicon sequencing. Prior to antibiotic treatment, the cultures were dominated by Gram-negative bacteria. Addition of meropenem to cultures eliminated anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, but it also led to protozoan death after 5 days incubation. The seeding of meropenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain KPC-2 into cultures before treatment by meropenem prevented death of D. fragilis cells beyond this 5 day period, suggesting that one or more species of Gram-negative bacteria may be an essential nutritional requirement for D. fragilis. Gram-positive cells were completely eliminated using vancomycin without affecting trophozoite growth. Finally, this study shows that genome sequencing of D. fragilis is feasible following bacterial elimination from cultures as the result of the major advances occurring in bioinformatics. We provide evidence on this fact by successfully sequencing the D. fragilis 28S large ribosomal DNA subunit gene using culture-derived DNA.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 1350024 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. SELVAKUMAR ◽  
S. P. SURIYARAJ ◽  
V. JAYAVIGNESH ◽  
K. SWAMINATHAN

The present study involves the production of silver nanoparticles using a novel yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae BU-MBT CY-1 isolated from coconut cell sap. The biological reduction of silver nitrate by the isolate was deducted at various time intervals. The yeast cells after biological silver reduction were harvested and subjected to carbonization at 400°C for 1 h and its properties were analyzed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope attached with energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The average size of the silver nanoparticles present on the surface of the carbonized silver containing yeast cells (CSY) was 19 ± 9 nm. The carbonized control yeast cells (CCY) did not contain any particles on its surface. The carbonized silver nanoparticles containing yeast cells (CSY) were made into bioactive emulsion and tested for its efficacy against various pathogenic Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity studies indicated that CSY bioactive nanoemulsion was effective against Gram negative organisms than Gram positive organism.


1976 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARY L. SANDFORD ◽  
B. E. LANGLOIS

Three growth patterns (no effect, slight inhibition, or complete inhibition) were observed when bacterial species common to the dairy-food industry were grown in media containing 50 or 100 ppm DDT, dieldrin, or endrin. The pattern obtained appeared to depend on species and type and concentration of pesticide. All pesticides studied had a greater inhibitory effect on gram positive species than they had on gram negative species when grown in broth. Acid production by lactic acid bacteria was inhibited in broth plus 5 ppm chlordane or heptachlor but unaffected in skimmilk plus up to 100 ppm of these pesticides. Generation times for gram negative species grown in broth plus 10 ppm chlordane or heptachlor were similar to those obtained in controls. Growth of gram positive species was inhibited in broth plus 10 ppm of these pesticides but unaffected in skimmilk containing similar pesticide concentrations. Generation times for several gram negative species were increased by 10 ppm heptachlor in skimmilk.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 6053-6063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Biedenbach ◽  
Michael D. Huband ◽  
Meredith Hackel ◽  
Boudewijn L. M. de Jonge ◽  
Daniel F. Sahm ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAZD0914, a new spiropyrimidinetrione bacterial DNA gyrase inhibitor with a novel mode of inhibition, has activity against bacterial species commonly cultured from patient infection specimens, including fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates. This study assessed thein vitroactivity of AZD0914 against key Gram-positive and fastidious Gram-negative clinical isolates collected globally in 2013. AZD0914 demonstrated potent activity, with MIC90s for AZD0914 of 0.25 mg/liter againstStaphylococcus aureus(n= 11,680), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n= 1,923), streptococci (n= 4,380), andMoraxella catarrhalis(n= 145), 0.5 mg/liter againstStaphylococcus lugdunensis(n= 120) andHaemophilus influenzae(n= 352), 1 mg/liter againstEnterococcus faecalis(n= 1,241), and 2 mg/liter againstHaemophilus parainfluenzae(n= 70). The activity againstEnterococcus faeciumwas more limited (MIC90, 8 mg/liter). The spectrum and potency of AZD0914 included fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates in each species group, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci, penicillin-resistant streptococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, β-lactamase-producingHaemophilusspp., andM. catarrhalis. Based on thesein vitrofindings, AZD0914 warrants further investigation for its utility against a variety of Gram-positive and fastidious Gram-negative bacterial species.


2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 467-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Huband ◽  
Patricia A. Bradford ◽  
Linda G. Otterson ◽  
Gregory S. Basarab ◽  
Amy C. Kutschke ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAZD0914 is a new spiropyrimidinetrione bacterial DNA gyrase/topoisomerase inhibitor with potentin vitroantibacterial activity against key Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis,Streptococcus pneumoniae,Streptococcus pyogenes, andStreptococcus agalactiae), fastidious Gram-negative (Haemophilus influenzaeandNeisseria gonorrhoeae), atypical (Legionella pneumophila), and anaerobic (Clostridium difficile) bacterial species, including isolates with known resistance to fluoroquinolones. AZD0914 works via inhibition of DNA biosynthesis and accumulation of double-strand cleavages; this mechanism of inhibition differs from those of other marketed antibacterial compounds. AZD0914 stabilizes and arrests the cleaved covalent complex of gyrase with double-strand broken DNA under permissive conditions and thus blocks religation of the double-strand cleaved DNA to form fused circular DNA. Whereas this mechanism is similar to that seen with fluoroquinolones, it is mechanistically distinct. AZD0914 exhibited low frequencies of spontaneous resistance inS. aureus, and if mutants were obtained, the mutations mapped togyrB. Additionally, no cross-resistance was observed for AZD0914 against recent bacterial clinical isolates demonstrating resistance to fluoroquinolones or other drug classes, including macrolides, β-lactams, glycopeptides, and oxazolidinones. AZD0914 was bactericidal in both minimum bactericidal concentration andin vitrotime-kill studies. Inin vitrocheckerboard/synergy testing with 17 comparator antibacterials, only additivity/indifference was observed. The potentin vitroantibacterial activity (including activity against fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates), low frequency of resistance, lack of cross-resistance, and bactericidal activity of AZD0914 support its continued development.


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