Phenotyping and genotyping of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from a natural river basin

Scientists have become increasingly concerned about the occurrence of antibacterial resistance in the environment. In this study, Escherichia coli resistant to one or more antibiotics among nine antibiotics was screened from Wenyu River Basin in Beijing, China, with mean frequency of 48.7 +/- 8.7% of 388 isolates in summer and 47 +/- 6% of 236 isolates in winter. The mean multiantibiotic resistance (MAR) index in summer was 0.11 +/- 0.03, slightly lower than that (0.14 +/- 0.04) in winter. Most frequent resistance appeared for sulfonamides, tetracycline, and ampicillin. The distribution of 20 tetracycline, three sulfonamide, and three beta-lactam resistance genes was assessed in the resistant isolates. While 97% of the ampicillin (AMP) resistant mechanism could be explained by the resistance gene TEM, 90% of the tetracycline (TC) and 96% of the sulfonamide (SXT) resistances could be explained by tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), and their combinations and sul(I), sul(II), sul(III), and their combinations, respectively. tet(M), a tetracycline-resistant gene originally detected in Gram-positive bacteria, and its combinations with tet(A) or tet(B) were first detected in E. coli isolated from a natural river basin, suggesting that tet(M) in E. coli might have been transferred from other bacterial species through horizontal gene transfer, which was supported by the fact that no tet(M) was detected in the isolates of human and chicken sources, except for only one isolate from swine. The source of sulfonamide-resistant E. coli in the river was supposed to be mainly from humans, based on a comparison of the sulfonamide resistance genotypes in animals and humans.     

Isolation and molecular characterization of antibiotic-resistant lactic acid bacteria from poultry and swine meat products

The transfer via the food chain from animals to humans of microbes that are resistant to antimicrobial agents is of increasing concern. To determine the contributions of nonpathogenic microflora to the occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes in the food chain, 123 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from 29 samples of raw and processed pork and chicken meat products that had previously tested positive for one or more AR genes that encode clinically relevant ARs: tet(M), tet(O), tet(K), erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), aac (6')-Ie aph (2")-Ia, mecA, and blaZ. All of the isolates were initially tested for their AR gene profiles by PCR. The 59 isolates carrying a tet, erm, or blaZ gene were taken through molecular identification, analyzed by determination of the MIC, and subjected to genetic fingerprinting. Lactococcus garvieae was the predominant species (28 isolates), followed by Lactobacillus plantarum (11 isolates) and L. salivarius (6 isolates), whereas Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, L. reuteri, L. crispatus, and L. brevis were identified at lower frequencies. The tet(M) and erm(B) genes were the most frequently detected. Assessment of multiple resistances in 18 tet positive (tet+) isolates revealed that tet(M) plus erm(B) and tet(K) plus erm(B) were the most frequent AR gene patterns. Partial sequencing of the tet(M) open reading frame of three selected strains showed high sequence similarities (> 99%) with tet(M) genes previously found in human pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes and Neisseria meningitidis). Southern hybridization with plasmid profiles revealed these strains contained tet(M)-carrying plasmids.     

Sediment core record of global fallout and Bikini close-in fallout Pu in Sagami Bay, Western Northwest Pacific margin

The total 239-240Pu activity and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio in the sediments in Sagami Bay of the western Northwest Pacific margin were investigated using ICP-MS with a shield torch system. 239+240Pu inventories in the examined sediment cores were found to be much higher than those predicted from atmospheric global fallout (42 MBq/km2) at the same latitude. In addition, elevated 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios ranging from 0.22 to 0.28 were observed in the sediment samples. On the basis of the vertical profiles of 239+240Pu and characterized 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in a sediment core collected in the center of Sagami Bay, we identified two distinct sources of fallout Pu in the bay: the global stratospheric fallout with characteristic 240Pu/239Pu ratio of 0.18 and the transported close-in fallout derived from Bikini and Enewetak surface nuclear weapon test series in the 1950s. We propose that the Pu transportation was mainly due to oceanic processes (for example, through the North Equatorial Current and the Kuroshio Current). Using a two fallout end-member model, we find that the contribution of Bikini close-in fallout Pu ranged from 44 to 59% in Sagami Bay sediments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that Pu contamination, which originated from Bikini and Enewetak nuclear weapon test series in the 1950s, has extended westwards as far as the Japanese coast.     

Antibiotic resistance genes and identification of staphylococci collected from the production chain of swine meat commodities

Staphylococci harbouring antibiotic resistance (AR) genes may represent a hazard for human health and, as other resistant food-related bacteria, they contribute to the spread of AR. In this study, we isolated resistant staphylococci from an entire swine production chain and investigated the occurrence of 11 genes [aac(6')Ie-aph(2')Ia, blaZ, mecA, vanA, vanB, ermA, ermB, ermC, tet(M), tet(O) and tet(K)] encoding resistance to some antibiotics largely used in clinical practice. The 66 resistant staphylococcal isolates were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis (27 isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (12), Staphylococcus xylosus (12), Staphylococcus simulans (5), Staphylococcus pasteuri (4), Staphylococcus carnosus (3), Staphylococcus lentus (2) and Staphylococcus sciuri (1). Specific-PCR detection of AR genes showed the prevalence of the tet(K) gene in most of the isolates (89.4%), followed by tet(M) and ermC (about 75%); mecA was detected in more than half of S. aureus and S. epidermidis isolates. The genes vanA and vanB were not retrieved. It was found that a high proportion of coagulase-positive and -negative isolates are multidrug-resistant and some of them carry up to six AR genes. Our findings show that the swine production chain is a source of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci suggesting the importance of resistance surveillance in the food production environment.     

Distribution and transferability of tetracycline resistance determinants in Escherichia coli isolated from meat and meat products

Escherichia coli is used to assess the hygienic quality of food products and the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. In particular, tetracycline-resistant E. coli can be chosen as an indicator of antibiotic resistant bacteria because it has a high frequency of occurrence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and transfer of tetracycline resistance determinants in meatborne E. coli. A total of 121 tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates were collected from meat and meat products (raw meat, fish, and processed foods) from 2004 to 2006 in Korea. Among these isolates, tet(A) (52.4%) was the most frequent tetracycline resistance determinant, followed by tet(B) (41.3%), whereas tet(C) (1.7%) and tet(D) (0.8%) were less frequently identified. Two isolates (1.6%) contained two tet genes simultaneously, tet(A) and tet(B). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to tetracycline family antibiotics, such as tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline were higher for isolates carrying the tet(B) gene compared to isolates carrying tet(A) (P<0.0001). Conjugation experiments were performed by the broth mating method; 119 isolates (98.3%) containing at least one of the tet genes were shown to transfer tetracycline resistance to recipient E. coli J53. Also, we observed high diversity of tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates in meat and meat products in Korea by using XbaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing. This study suggests that the high prevalence of tetracycline-resistant E. coli in meat may be due to the high transferability of tet determinants.     

Antibiotic-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Abattoir Pigs and Plasmid Colocalization and Cotransfer of tet(M) and erm(B) Genes

This study was conducted to determine plasmid colocalization and transferability of both erm(B) and tet(M) genes in Enterococcus faecalis isolates from abattoir pigs in Canada. A total of 124 E. faecalis isolates from cecal contents of abattoir pigs were examined for antibiotic susceptibility. High percentages of resistance to macrolides and tetracyclines were found. Two predominant multiresistance patterns of E. faecalis were examined by PCR and sequencing for the presence of genes encoding antibiotic resistance. Various combinations of antibiotic resistance genes were detected; erm(B) and tet(M) were the most common genes. Plasmid profiling and hybridization revealed that both genes were colocated on a ～9-kb transferable plasmid in six strains with the two predominant multiresistant patterns. Plasmid colocalization and cotransfer of tet(M) and erm(B) genes in porcine E. faecalis isolates indicates that antibiotic coselection and transferability could occur via this single genetic element. To our knowledge, this is the first report on plasmid colocalization and transferability of erm(B) and tet(M) genes in E. faecalis on a mobile genetic element of ～9 kb. Physical linkage between important antibiotic resistance determinants in enterococci is of interest for predicting potential transfer to other bacterial genera.     

Phenotypic and molecular assessment of antimicrobial resistance in Lactobacillus paracasei strains of food origin

Antimicrobial resistance data in food-associated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as lactobacilli are mostly based on nonstandardized methodologies and/or have been obtained for only a limited number of strains. This susceptibility study included a diverse collection of 115 isolates mainly of food origin originally identified as Lactobacillus paracasei or Lactobacillus casei. Upon reidentification and removal of potential replicate isolates using repetitive DNA element PCR fingerprinting, 65 genotypically unique L. paracasei strains and the L. casei type strain were selected for broth microdilution and Etest assays using the LAB susceptibility test medium. In both methodologies, strains appeared uniformly susceptible to ampicillin and clindamycin but exhibited natural resistance to streptomycin and gentamicin. Three L. paracasei strains from cheese displayed acquired resistance to tetracycline (MIC > or = 32 microg/ml) and/or to erythromycin (MIC >16 microg/ml), which was linked to the presence of a tet(M) or tet(W) gene and/or an erm(B) gene, respectively. Partial sequencing revealed that the tet(M) genes found in two of these strains belonged to two tet(M) sequence homology groups previously found in enterococci. Collectively, phenotypic and genotypic data allowed us to propose tentative epidemiological cutoffs for L. paracasei and L. casei for differentiating susceptible strains from those strains harboring one or more acquired resistance factors.     

食源性单核细胞增生李斯特菌四环素、红霉素耐药基因研究

研究了食源性单核细胞增生李斯特菌四环素、红霉素耐药基因的分布状况及和耐药表型的关系。采用微量肉汤稀释法对2005~2007年河北省疾病预防控制中心分离到的食源性单核细胞增生李斯特菌株进行四环素、红霉素药敏实验;应用PCR方法对实验菌株进行四环素耐药基因tet(M)、tet(S)、tet(L)、tet(K)、tet(B)、及与tet(M)基因关系密切的转座子Tn916、红霉素核糖体甲基化酶基因ermB、ermC、及与ermB基因关系密切的转座子Tn917检测,对阳性样本序列进行鉴定分析;应用血清学分型、脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)、及脂肪酸聚类分析方法分析四环素耐药菌株之间的相关性,确定基因型和多态性。结果表明,91株单核细胞增生李斯特菌四环素敏感77株、耐药14株;红霉素敏感89株、耐药2株,其中包含1株菌同时交叉耐药四环素和红霉素;14株四环素耐药株中含tet(M)基因的13株,在13株tet(M)基因阳性菌中,tet(M)位于Tn916转座子上的9株;1株同时交叉耐药四环素、红霉素菌同时携带tet(S)、ermB基因;ermC基因、转座子Tn917均为阴性;四环素、红霉素敏感株中未检测到上述任何耐药基因。14株四环素耐药菌株血清型分布以1/2a型为主(n=12),部分菌株PFGE、脂肪酸分型完全一致。食源性单核细胞增生李斯特菌获得tet(M)基因是耐四环素的主要机制之一,具有水平传播耐药基因能力的接合型转座子Tn916与该菌四环素耐药播散有直接关系;ermB基因介导的核糖体靶位点改变存在食源性单核细胞增生李斯特菌红霉素耐药株中;PFGE基因型结合脂肪酸聚类分析能够用来分析菌株之间的相关性。     

Fingerprinting localized dioxin contamination: Ichihara Anchorage case

Although concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibezofurans (PCDD/Fs; dioxins) in majority of Japanese river and ocean sediments decreased below the national environmental quality standard of 150 pg-TEQ. (g-dry sediment)(-1) by 2004, localized contamination inasmuch as 100-fold excess of the environmental quality standard has been reported at various locations including Ichihara Anchorage in northeastern Tokyo Bay. In the present study, we analyzed all mono- to octachlorinated dioxins in 12 surface sediments from Ichihara Anchorage and applied positive matrix factorization (PMF) to quantitatively fingerprintthe congener pattern and geographical distribution of a factor causing the localized contamination. A PMF-derived fingerprint attributable to dioxin impurities in pentachlorophenol (PCP) exerted more than 90% contribution to total dioxin concentrations in Ichihara Anchorage surface sediments. Although majority of Ichihara Anchorage-born dioxins were trapped at the origin, contribution of the PCP-derived dioxins in overall Tokyo Bay gradually increased toward Ichihara Anchorage, indicating the impact of localized dioxin contamination on a large proportion of Tokyo Bay. We suggest that, in addition to runoff from rice paddies (to which PCP had long been applied as herbicide) at the basin, Ichihara Anchorage serves as a significant source of PCP-derived dioxins especially in eastern Tokyo Bay.     

Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from food and food processing environment in Poland

A total of 471 Listeria monocytogenes isolates from different types of food and food-related sources in Poland during 2004-2010 were examined. This number includes 200 isolates from fish, 144 from fresh and frozen vegetables, 43 ready-to-eat products (deli foods, cold cuts), 13 from dairy products, 16 from raw meats, 15 from confectionery products and 40 directly from processing plants. All isolates were subjected to serotyping and lineage assays using PCR, and antimicrobial susceptibility using E-test and a broth microdilution method. Of all isolates, 256 (54.4%), 120 (25.5%), 59 (12.5%), 36 (7.6%) were identified as serotypes 1/2a (or 3a), 1/2c (or 3c), 1/2b (or 3b or 7), and 4b (or 4d or 4e), respectively. A direct correlation between the most common serotypes and three L. monocytogenes lineages was also observed. All L. monocytogenes isolates belonged to lineages I (20.2%) and II (79.8%). All strains were sensitive to ampicillin, amoxicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, trimethoprim, rifampicin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazol. Two of the L. monocytogenes strains (0.42%) showed phenotypic resistance. One strain was resistant to tetracycline and minocycline due to the presence of tet(M). It did not carry gene int, which may indicate that the tet(M) gene in this strain was not integrated in the transposon Tn916-Tn1545 family. The resistance of the second strain to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin was attributed to active efflux associated with overexpression of gene lde. Our data indicate the low prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among L. monocytogenes isolates from food and food-related sources in Poland.     

Contribution of enterococci to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the production chain of swine meat commodities

Thirty-six samples, including fecal specimens, dry feedstuffs, raw and processed pork meat products, and dry fermented sausages, were collected from two production chains of swine meat commodities and analyzed for the presence of 11 antibiotic resistance (AR) genes. Specific PCR assays carried out on DNA extracted directly from the samples revealed a high incidence of the genes tet(K) (80.5%), ermB (66.7%), and tet(M) (66.7%). Feces and feedstuffs gave the largest number of positive amplifications. To elucidate the contribution of enterococci to the occurrence and spread of AR, 146 resistant enterococci were isolated, and their identity, genetic fingerprints, and AR gene profiles were determined by means of molecular techniques. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were the predominant isolated species (43.8 and 38.4%, respectively); Other Enterococcus species identified were E. durans (8.9%), E. hirae (2.7%), E. gallinarum (2.1%), E. mundtii (2.1%), and E. casseliflavus (2.1%). A number of isolates displayed a complex AR gene profile comprising up to four different resistance determinants. The genes tet(M) and ermB were highly diffused, being present in 86.9 and 84.9%, respectively, of the isolates. The application of amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting was particularly valuable to monitor the resistant enterococcal isolates along the production chain and to individuate steps in which contamination might occur. In fact, isolates of E. faecalis and E. faecium showing the same amplified fragment length polymorphism profile and AR gene pattern were detected in samples taken at different steps of the food chain suggesting three cases of bacterial clonal spread.     

Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction method for identification of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from marine environments.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for identification of Vibrio vulnificus in the marine environment was evaluated by comparing it to both the conventional and DNA-DNA hybridization methods. Of 13,325 isolates obtained from seawater and sediment samples, and oyster and goby specimens collected from the coastal waters of Tokyo Bay, Japan, only 61 isolates were identified as V. vulnificus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and the amplification of the cytotoxin-hemolysin gene by the PCR method. All 61 isolates were further confirmed to be V. vulnificus by a DNA-DNA hybridization method and the API 20E system although they were divided into 13 groups on the basis of their API 20E profiles. These results strongly suggest that the PCR method is useful for identification of this organism.     

Time trends in sources and dechlorination pathways of dioxins in agrochemically contaminated sediments

Although polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibezofurans (PCDD/Fs) are considered recalcitrant toward biotic and abiotic degradation processes, laboratory studies indicated lateral dechlorination pathways (removal of 2,3,7,8-substituted chlorines) as possible natural remediation strategies under highly reducing conditions prevailing in contaminated sediments. Previous principal component analysis (PCA) of PCDD/Fs in Japanese sediments left unidentified a factor characterized by penta- to octa- homologues fully chlorinated at 1,2,6,9-positions (1,2,6,9-pattern). In the present study, we reexamined PCDD/Fs in sediment cores from urban (Tokyo Bay) and remote (Lake Shinji) areas of Japan using positive matrix factorization (PMF) and revealed a lateral dechlorination fingerprint exhibiting the 1,2,6,9-pattern. Relative molar concentrations of putative lateral dechlorination products linearly increased with sediment depth, suggesting that decades of reaction resulted in the accumulation of hepta- and hexa- chlorinated lateral dechlorination products in the bottom sediment layers. Times required for in situ formation of dechlorination products were estimated to be at least 27.8 +/- 17.9 year(mole %)(-1) in Lake Shinji and 4.7 +/- 0.5 year(mole %)(-1) in Tokyo Bay (both for the formation of 1,2,3,4,6,7,9-HpCDD) and are significantly longer than the dechlorination pathways observed in the laboratory.     

Fluorescent whitening agents in Tokyo Bay and adjacent rivers: their application as anthropogenic molecular markers in coastal environments

Two kinds of stilbene-type fluorescent whitening agents (i.e., DSBP and DAS1), minor components of laundry detergents, were analyzed in surface waters of Tokyo Bay and adjacent rivers and in sewage effluents to examine their usefulness as molecular markers in the marine environment. Sensitive determination using HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) with fluorescence detection with postcolumn UV radiator was employed. DSBP and DAS1 were found in Tokyo rivers at concentrations of a few microg/L and approximately 1 microg/L, respectively. DSBP and DAS1 were widely distributed in Tokyo Bay waters at concentrations in the range of 0.019-0.264 microg/L and 0.021-0.127 microg/L, respectively. Comparison of these concentrations with those in sewage effluents (DSBP: 8 microg/L and DAS1: 2.5 microg/L on average) yielded sewage dilutions in Tokyo Bay on the order of 10(2). FWAs-salinity diagram in the Tamagawa Estuary showed fairly conservative behaviors of the FWAs with approximately 20% and approximately 10% removal of DSBP and DAS1, respectively. This is thought to be caused by photodegradation. The persistent nature of FWAs and their widespread distribution in coastal environments demonstrates the utility of FWAs in tracing the behavior of water from rivers and sewage outfalls. The DSBP/DAS1 ratio showed a decreasing trend from sewage effluents, to rivers, to Tokyo Bay, indicating selective photodegradation of DSBP. The DSBP/DAS1 ratio is proposed as an index of the degree of photodegradation and residence time and freshness of water mass in coastal environments.     

Indirect evidence of transposon-mediated selection of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic systems at low-level oxytetracycline exposures

Subinhibitory levels of antibiotics can promote the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. However, it is unclear whether antibiotic concentrations released into aquatic systems exert adequate pressure to select populations with resistance traits. To examine this issue, 15 mesocosms containing pristine surface water were treated with oxytetracycline (OTC) for 56 days at five levels (0, 5, 20, 50, and 250 microg L(-1)), and six tetracycline-resistance genes (tet(B), tet(L), tet(M), ted(O), tet(Q), and tet(W)), the sum of those genes (tet(R)), "total" 16S-rRNA genes, and transposons (Tn916 and Tn 1545) were monitored using real-time PCR. Absolute water-column resistance-gene abundances did not change at any OTC exposure. However, an increase was observed in the ratio of tet(R) to 16S-rRNA genes in the 250 microg L(-1) OTC units, and an increase in the selection rate of Tc(r) genes (relative to 16S-rRNA genes) was seen when OTC levels were at 20 microg L(-1). Furthermore, tet(M) and Tn916/1545 gene abundances correlated among all treatments (r2 = 0.701, p = 0.05), and there were similar selection patterns of tetR and Tn916/1545 genes relative to the OTC level, suggesting a possible mechanism for retention of specific resistance genes within the systems.     

Detection of tet(M) gene from raw milk by rapid DNA extraction followed by a two-step PCR with nested primers

The likelihood that milk and milk products may act as a vehicle for antibiotic-resistant bacterial genes has become a concern to the food industry and a public health issue, and the demand for rapid tests has increased. The purity of DNA extracted from food samples is a key issue in the sensitivity and usefulness of biological analyses, such as PCR for pathogens and nonpathogens. A rapid, phenol-chloroform free method based on a modification of a sodium iodide DNA extraction, followed by a two-step PCR was developed for direct detection of the tet(M) gene in milk samples within a single working day. This study compares the proposed method with a traditional phenol solvent extraction method and with a commercial kit (QIAamp DNA blood mini kit, Qiagen). The three DNA extraction methods were used to ensure access to the tet(M) gene from 1 ml of raw milk, inoculated with a strain of Enterococcus faecalis, which carries the tet(M) gene. The proposed method, followed by a two-step PCR with nested primers specific for the tet(M) gene, was able to reach a detection limit below 10 CFU/ml in less than 4 h, including the two amplification cycles, thus outperforming in sensitivity and rapidity both the traditional and the commercial method.     

Fate of tetracycline resistance genes in aquatic systems: migration from the water column to peripheral biofilms

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging contaminants that are being found at elevated levels in sediments and other aquatic compartments in areas of intensive agricultural and urban activity. However, little quantitative data exist on the migration and attenuation of ARGs in natural ecosystems, which is central to predicting their fate after release into receiving waters. Here we examined the fate of tetracycline-resistance genes in bacterial hosts released in cattle feedlot wastewater using field-scale mesocosms to quantify ARG attenuation rate in the water column and also the migration of ARGs into peripheral biofilms. Feedlot wastewater was added to fifteen cylindrical 11.3-m3 mesocosms (some of which had artificial substrates) simulating five different receiving water conditions (in triplicate), and the abundance of six resistance genes (tet(O), tet(W), tet(M), tet(Q), tet(B), and tet(L)) and 16S-rRNA genes was monitored for 14 days. Mesocosm treatments were varied according to light supply, microbial supplements (via river water additions), and oxytetracycline (OTC) level. First-order water column disappearance coefficients (kd) for the sum of the six genes (tetR) were always higher in sunlight than in the dark (-0.72 d(-1) and -0.51 d(-1), respectively). However, water column kd varied among genes (tet(O) < tet(W) < tet(M) < tet(Q); tet(B) and tet(L) were below detection) and some genes, particularly tet(W), readily migrated into biofilms, suggesting that different genes be considered separately and peripheral compartments be included in future fate models. This work provides the first quantitative field data for modeling ARG fate in aquatic systems.     

食源性乳酸菌安全性的评价

从不同来源的样品中分离得到36 株乳酸菌,对其进行常见抗生素如氯霉素、四环素、红霉素抗药性分析,结果表明,26 株菌具有抗药性,其中4 株携带抗生素抗性基因,并且菌株Enterococcus faecium KN9所携带的四环素抗性基因tet（M）和tet（L）能通过接合作用,转移到受体菌Lactococcus lactis MG1614中。对这些乳酸菌产生有害代谢产物分析结果表明,部分菌株可以产生生物胺,所有的菌株都不产生硝基还原酶和偶氮还原酶。所以,本实验分离到的大部分乳酸菌是安全的,只有携带有抗四环素基因的E. faecium KN9具有潜在的安全隐患。因此,需要在食用前对乳酸菌进行安全性评价,以减少可能的安全隐患。     

广州市售鱼、虾、蛤蚌中四环素耐药菌及四环素耐药基因的研究

本文以广州市大型超市的鱼、虾、蛤蚌为研究对象,研究其四环素耐药菌的分布及四环素耐药基因的携带情况。采用平板涂布法分离四环素耐药菌并统计菌落数,计数结果在102~106 CFU/g之间,其中鱼肠中四环素耐药菌的数量达106 CFU/g。通过PCR对样本总DNA中四环素耐药基因的携带情况进行检测,发现每个样本均携带多个(3~7个)四环素耐药基因。9种四环素耐药基因中,tet(E)的检出率最高6.3%,其次分别为tet(S)(5.1%),tet(M)(3.1%),tet(C)(1.7%)和tet(G)(0.9%)。Southern杂交试验表明四环素抗性菌株Aeromonas spp.和Escherichia coli携带的耐药基因tet(E)存在于质粒上;在无四环素选择压力下对上述两种菌株进行连续传代,其耐药质粒仍稳定存在于菌株中。本研究表明广州市售鱼、虾、蛤蚌中分离得到的细菌对四环素耐药情况较为严重,应得到相关监管部门以及消费者的足够重视。     

Sequestration of nonylphenol in sediment from Bohai Bay, North China

The ubiquity of nonylphenol (NP) in aquatic environments has been well documented, and the long-term fate of NP in sediments is a concern from the viewpoint of risk assessment due to its endocrine-disrupting effects. This paper reports on the assessment of long-term fate of NP in marine sediments by determining extractable and nonextractable fractions of NP in surface sediments and a sediment core from Bohai Bay, North China. The extractable fraction was operationally defined as the fraction of NP that was extracted with a solvent mixture of methanol/methylene chloride, and the nonextractable fraction was the portion of NP that can be released from the sediments by alkaline hydrolyzing after the initial solvent extraction. The total concentrations (extractable and nonextractable) of NP were 3.4-34.3 ng/g dw in the surface sediments and 2.2-17.7 ng/g dw in the sediment core. Depending on the sedimentation time, the percentage of nonextractable NP relative to the total NP in the core ranged from 38 to 99%. Based on the relationship between the percentage of nonextractable NP in sediments and sedimentation time, the sequestration rate of NP in the sediment core from Bohai Bay was estimated to be 0.94% x a(-1). These results have important implications in understanding the geochemical fate of NP in sediments.