One-year monitoring of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the waters and sediments of the Lesina and Varano lagoons (South-East Italy).

In this study, two Mediterranean coastal lagoons (Lesina and Varano) of southern Italy, located in the north of the Apulia region, were investigated for the presence of Shiga toxin Escherichia coli (STEC) and potentially enteropathogenic Vibrio species in parallel with norovirus (NoV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aimed to evaluate the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria and viruses in the water and sediments of these ecosystems. From March 2022 to February 2023, a total of 98 samples were collected: 49 water samples and 49 sediment samples. STEC strains were isolated in three samples (3.1%), of which one (2%) was water (stx1 and stx2 positive) and two (4.1%) were sediment (both stx2 positive) samples. Vibrio spp. were detected in twenty samples (20.4%), of which nine were water (18.4%) and eleven were sediment (22.4%) samples. The species detected included V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae, and V. vulnificus. NoV was detected in 25 (25.5%) samples, while none of the water or sediment samples were positive for HAV, HEV, and SARS-CoV-2. The results of this study provide an overview of the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in areas influenced by anthropogenic pressure. Monitoring the circulation of these pathogens could be useful to evaluate the water flowing into the lagoons, in particular discharge waters (i.e., urban, agricultural, and livestock runoff), considering the presence of fish and shellfish farms in these sites.

An In Vitro System Mimics the Intestinal Microbiota of Striped Beakfish (Oplegnathus fasciatus) and Inhibits Vibrio alginolyticus by Limosilactobacillus reuteri-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are functional substances secreted by microbes and host cells, and it has been discovered that they participate in the interactions between different microorganisms. Our recent findings indicate that Limosilactobacillus reuteri-derived EVs have the potential to improve the intestinal microbiota of Oplegnathus fasciatus fish and inhibit pathogenic bacteria. Previous research has reported that the host intestinal cells play a regulatory role in the intestinal microbiota. This suggested that to investigate the mechanisms through which L. reuteri-derived EVs regulate the intestinal microbiota, a system that excludes interference from host intestinal cells should be established. In this study, an in vitro cultured intestinal bacteria system, without host factors, was used to simulate the intestinal microbiota of O. fasciatus fish. After adding L. reuteri-derived EVs to the system, the changes in the microbiota were analyzed. The results showed that L. reuteri-derived EVs effectively reduced the abundance of Vibrio spp. In the results of the in vitro experiments, it was also observed that L. reuteri-derived EVs have the ability to inhibit Vibrio alginolyticus. We further sequenced the small RNA contained in L. reuteri-derived EVs and found that these small RNAs can interfere with genes (LysR, pirin, MIpA/OmpV, CatB, and aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase) related to the growth of V. alginolyticus. Taken together, the results indicate that in the absence of host involvement, the small RNAs present in L. reuteri-derived EVs have the function of inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and exhibit the potential to regulate the intestinal microbiota.

Machine learning to predict the relationship between Vibrio spp. concentrations in seawater and oysters and prevalent environmental conditions.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus are bacteria with a significant public health impact. Identifying factors impacting their presence and concentrations in food sources could enable the identification of significant risk factors and prevent incidences of foodborne illness. In recent years, machine learning has shown promise in modeling microbial presence based on prevalent external and internal variables, such as environmental variables and gene presence/absence, respectively, particularly with the generation and availability of large amounts and diverse sources of data. Such analyses can prove useful in predicting microbial behavior in food systems, particularly under the influence of the constant changes in environmental variables. In this study, we tested the efficacy of six machine learning regression models (random forest, support vector machine, elastic net, neural network, k-nearest neighbors, and extreme gradient boosting) in predicting the relationship between environmental variables and total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus concentrations in seawater and oysters. In general, environmental variables were found to be reliable predictors of total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus concentrations in seawater, and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus in oysters (Acceptable Prediction Zone >70 %) when analyzed using our machine learning models. SHapley Additive exPlanations, which was used to identify variables influencing Vibrio concentrations, identified chlorophyll a content, seawater salinity, seawater temperature, and turbidity as influential variables. It is important to note that different strains were differentially impacted by the same environmental variable, indicating the need for further research to study the causes and potential mechanisms of these variations. In conclusion, environmental variables could be important predictors of Vibrio growth and behavior in seafood. Moreover, the models developed in this study could prove invaluable in assessing and managing the risks associated with V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus, particularly in the face of a changing environment.

Partial Characterization of Three Bacteriophages Isolated from Aquaculture Hatchery Water and Their Potential in the Biocontrol of Vibrio spp.

Bacteriophages are currently considered one of the most promising alternatives to antibiotics under the 'One Health' approach due to their ability to effectively combat bacterial infections. This study aimed to characterize Vibrio species in hatchery water samples collected from an aquaculture farm and investigate the biocontrol potential of their bacteriophages. Vibrio spp. (n = 32) isolates confirmed by LNA probe-based qPCR were used as hosts. Three Vibrio phages were isolated. IKEM_vK exhibited a broad host range, infecting V. harveyi (n = 8), V. alginolyticus (n = 2), V. azureus (n = 1), and V. ordalii (n = 1). IKEM_v5 showed lytic activity against V. anguillarum (n = 4) and V. ordalii (n = 1), while IKEM_v14 was specific to V. scophtalmi (n = 4). The morphological appearance of phages and their lytic effects on the host were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All three phages remained relatively stable within the pH range of 6-11 and up to 60 °C. The lytic activities and biofilm inhibition capabilities of these phages against planktonic Vibrio cells support their potential applications in controlling vibriosis in aquaculture systems.

Non-cholera Vibrio spp. invasive infections in the summer following May 2023 flood disaster in Romagna, Italy: a case series.

Non-cholera Vibrio spp. includes ubiquitous organisms living in aquatic environments. Their occurrence is associated with global warming and meteorological disasters. In May 2023 the Romagna region, Italy, was affected by severe floods. In the following 15 weeks we observed 5 patients with invasive infections caused by V. vulnificus (3/5) and V. harveyi (2/5). All patients (median age 77 years) had medical comorbidities and shared exposure to seawater. Two patients needed surgery; 2 died. In conclusion, we observed an increased burden of Vibrio spp. invasive infections after May 2023 floods, affecting old patients with predisposing medical conditions.

Smelly shark, smelly ray: what is infecting you?

AIMS: Although elasmobranchs are consumed worldwide, bacteriological assessments for this group are still sorely lacking. In this context, this study assessed bacteria of sharks and rays from one of the most important landing ports along the Rio de Janeiro coast. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from the cloacal swabs of the sampled elasmobranchs. They were cultured, and Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Enterobacterales were isolated and identified. The isolated bacteria were then biochemically identified and antimicrobial susceptibility assays were performed. Antigenic characterizations were performed for Salmonella spp. and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays were performed to identify Escherichia coli pathotypes. Several bacteria of interest in the One Health context were detected. The most prevalent Enterobacterales were Morganella morganii and Citrobacter freundii, while Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio fluvialis were the most prevalent among Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas allosacharophila and Aeromonas veronii bv. veronii were the most frequent among Aeromonas spp. Several bacteria also displayed antimicrobial resistance, indicative of Public Health concerns. A total of 10% of Vibrio strains were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 40% displayed intermediate resistance to cefoxitin. Salmonella enterica strains displayed intermediate resistance to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid and streptomycin. All V. cholerae strains were identified as non-O1/non-O139. The detected E. coli strains did not exhibit pathogenicity genes. This is the first study to perform serology assessments for S. enterica subsp. enterica isolated from elasmobranchs, identifying the zoonotic Typhimurium serovar. Salmonella serology evaluations are, therefore, paramount to identify the importance of elasmobranchs in the epidemiological salmonellosis chain. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of several pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria may pose significant Public Health risks in Brazil, due to high elasmobranch consumption rates, indicating the urgent need for further bacteriological assessments in this group.

Combined TCBS and CHROMagar Analyses Allow for Basic Identification of Vibrio vulnificus within a 48 h Incubation Period in the Coastal Baltic Sea.

With rising infection rates in recent years, Vibrio vulnificus poses an increasing threat to public safety in the coastal brackish Baltic Sea. It is therefore important to monitor this organism and assess the V. vulnificus infection risk on a more regular basis. However, as the coastline of the Baltic Sea is 8000 km long and shared by nine nations, a convenient, fast, inexpensive, yet efficient V. vulnificus identification method is essential. We evaluated the effectiveness of a two-step agar-based approach consisting of successive Vibrio isolation and cultivation on thiosulphate-citrate-bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar and CHROMagar™ Vibrio for V. vulnificus in comparison with V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. alginolyticus. Our study contains isolates from water and sediment across a broad expanse of the Baltic Sea including 13 locations and two different summers, the time of year during which Vibrio infections are usually much more frequent. Confirmation of isolate species identity was carried out using molecular analyses. The two-step agar plating method performed well across different locations and timeframes in correctly identifying V. vulnificus by more than 80%, but the sensitivity in other Vibrio species varied. Thus, our approach yielded promising results as a potential tool for early V. vulnificus detection across a broad timeframe and transect of the Baltic Sea and potentially other brackish environments.

Predominant heterotrophic diazotrophic bacteria are involved in Sargassum proliferation in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt.

Since 2011, the Caribbean coasts have been subject to episodic influxes of floating Sargassum seaweed of unprecedented magnitude originating from a new area "the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt" (GASB), leading in episodic influxes and mass strandings of floating Sargassum. For the biofilm of both holopelagic and benthic Sargassum as well as in the surrounding waters, we characterized the main functional groups involved in the microbial nitrogen cycle. The abundance of genes representing nitrogen fixation (nifH), nitrification (amoA), and denitrification (nosZ) showed the predominance of diazotrophs, particularly within the GASB and the Sargasso Sea. In both location, the biofilm associated with holopelagic Sargassum harboured a more abundant proportion of diazotrophs than the surrounding water. The mean δ15N value of the GASB seaweed was very negative (-2.04‰), and lower than previously reported, reinforcing the hypothesis that the source of nitrogen comes from the nitrogen-fixing activity of diazotrophs within this new area of proliferation. Analysis of the diversity of diazotrophic communities revealed for the first time the predominance of heterotrophic diazotrophic bacteria belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria in holopelagic Sargassum biofilms. The nifH sequences belonging to Vibrio genus (Gammaproteobacteria) and Filomicrobium sp. (Alphaproteobacteria) were the most abundant and reached, respectively, up to 46.0% and 33.2% of the community. We highlighted the atmospheric origin of the nitrogen used during the growth of holopelagic Sargassum within the GASB and a contribution of heterotrophic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to a part of the Sargassum proliferation.

Cellular and physiological roles of sigma factors in Vibrio spp.: A comprehensive review.

Vibrio species are motile gram-negative bacteria commonly found in aquatic environments. Vibrio species include pathogenic as well as non-pathogenic strains. Pathogenic Vibrio species have been reported in invertebrates and humans, whereas non-pathogenic strains are involved in symbiotic relationships with their eukaryotic hosts. These bacteria are also able to adapt to fluctuations in temperature, salinity, and pH, in addition to oxidative stress, and osmotic pressure in aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, they have also developed protective mechanisms against the immune systems of their hosts. Vibrio species accomplish adaptation to changing environments outside or inside the host by altering their gene expression profiles. To this end, several sigma factors specifically regulate gene expression, particularly under stressful environmental conditions. Moreover, other sigma factors are associated with biofilm formation and virulence as well. This review discusses different types of sigma and anti-sigma factors of Vibrio species involved in virulence and regulation of gene expression upon changes in environmental conditions. The evolutionary relationships between sigma factors with various physiological roles in Vibrio species are also discussed extensively.

Occurrence of Vibrio spp. in Selected Recreational Water Bodies in Belgium during 2021 Bathing Season.

In recent years, a global increase in the number of reports of human vibriosis involving V. cholerae non-O1/O139 (NOVC) and other Vibrio spp. has been observed. In this context, the Belgian National Reference Center for Vibrio conducted an assessment of the presence of Vibrio spp. in recreational waters. Water sampling was performed monthly in different lakes in Wallonia and Flanders, including the North Sea. The collected water was then filtrated and cultured, and Vibrio spp. was quantified according to the Most Probable Number (MPN). Presumptive colonies were confirmed via MALDI-TOF, and PCR for virulence genes was applied if justified. No Vibrio spp. was found in the analyzed water bodies in Wallonia. However, NOVC was isolated from three different lakes in Flanders and from coastal water. In addition, V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus were also detected in coastal water. No clear impact of the pH and temperature was observed on Vibrio spp. occurrence. Our study demonstrates the presence of Vibrio spp. in different bathing water bodies, mostly in the north of Belgium, and supports the recommendation to include Vibrio spp. as a water quality indicator for bathing water quality assessment to ensure the safety of water recreational users in Belgium.

Distinct coral environments shape the dynamic of planktonic Vibrio spp.

BACKGROUND: Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems, providing habitat for a vast of species. Reef-building scleractinian corals with a symbiotic microbiome, including bacteria, archaea, viruses and eukaryotic microbes, are referred to coral holobionts. Among them, coral diseases, mainly caused by Vibrio spp., have significantly contributed to the loss of coral cover and diversity. Habitat filtering across the globe has led to a variety structure of marine bacterial communities. Coral species, quantity and characteristics are significant differences between the Xisha Islands and Daya Bay (Guangdong Province). Thus, the Vibrio communities may be distinct between coral rich and poor areas. RESULTS: Through comparison of Vibrio dynamics between coral-rich (Xisha Islands) and coral-poor (Daya Bay) locations, we uncovered differences in Vibrio abundance, diversity, community composition and assembly mechanisms associated with corals. The higher abundance of Vibrio in coral rich areas may indicate a strong interaction between vibrios and corals. V. campbellii, Paraphotobacterium marinum and V. caribbeanicus were widely distributed in both coral rich and poor areas, likely indicating weak species specificity in the coral-stimulated growth of Vibrio. Random-forest prediction revealed Vibrio species and Photobacterium species as potential microbial indicators in the coral rich and coral poor areas, respectively. Ecological drift rather than selection governed the Vibrio community assembly in the Xisha Islands. Comparatively, homogenizing selection was more important for the Daya Bay community, which may reflect a role of habitat filtration. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the different distribution pattern and assembly mechanism of Vibrio spp. between coral rich and poor areas, providing the background data for the research of Vibrio community in coral reef areas and may help the protection of coral reef at the biological level. The main reasons for the difference were different number and species of corals, environmental (e.g., temperature) and spatial factors. It reflected the strong interaction between Vibrio and corals, and provided a new perspective for the investigation of Vibrio in coral reef ecosystem.

Vibrio-infecting bacteriophages and their potential to control biofilm.

The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria have necessitated finding new control alternatives. Under these circumstances, lytic bacteriophages offer a viable and promising option. This review focuses on Vibrio-infecting bacteriophages and the characteristics that make them suitable for application in the food and aquaculture industries. Bacteria, particularly Vibrio spp., can produce biofilms under stress conditions. Therefore, this review summarizes several anti-biofilm mechanisms that phages have, such as stimulating the host bacteria to produce biofilm-degrading enzymes, utilizing tail depolymerases, and penetrating matured biofilms through water channels. Additionally, the advantages of bacteriophages over antibiotics, such as a lower probability of developing resistance and the ability to infect dormant cells, are discussed. Finally, this review presents future research prospects related to further utilization of phages in diverse fields.

Management and Mitigation of Vibriosis in Aquaculture: Nanoparticles as Promising Alternatives.

Vibriosis is one of the most common diseases in marine aquaculture, caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio, that has been affecting many species of economically significant aquatic organisms around the world. The prevention of vibriosis in aquaculture is difficult, and the various treatments for vibriosis have their limitations. Therefore, there is an imperative need to find new alternatives. This review is based on the studies on vibriosis, specifically on the various treatments and their limitations, as well as the application of nanoparticles in aquaculture. One of the promising nanoparticles is graphene oxide (GO), which has been used in various applications, particularly in biological applications such as biosensors, drug delivery, and potential treatment for infectious diseases. GO has been shown to have anti-bacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but no research has been published that emphasizes its impact on Vibrio spp. The review aims to explore the potential use of GO for treatment against vibriosis.

Antimicrobial Potential of Aqueous Extract of Giant Sword Fern and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

Vibriosis and parasitic leech infestations cause the death of various farmed fish, such as groupers, hybrid groupers, sea bass, etc., in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. In the absence of natural control agents, aquaculture operators rely on toxic chemicals to control Vibrio infections and parasitic leeches, which can have a negative impact on the environment and health. In the present study, we investigated the antivibrio and antiparasitic activities of the aqueous extract of giant sword fern (GSF) (Nephrolepis biserrata, Nephrolepidaceae, locally known as "Paku Pedang") against four Vibrio spp. and the parasitic leech Zeylanicobdella arugamensis, as well as its metabolic composition using the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry system (UHPLC-HRMS). The data show that the aqueous extract of GSF at a concentration of 100 mg/mL exhibits potent bactericidal activity against V. parahaemolyticus with a zone of inhibition of 19.5 mm. In addition, the extract showed dose-dependent activity against leeches, resulting in the complete killing of the parasitic leeches within a short period of 11-43 min when tested at concentrations ranging from 100 to 25 mg/mL. The UHPLC-HRMS analysis detected 118 metabolites in the aqueous extract of GSF. Flavonoids were the primary metabolites, followed by phenolic, aromatic, fatty acyl, terpenoid, vitamin and steroidal compounds. Notably, several of these metabolites possess antibacterial and antiparasitic properties, including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, apigenin, quercetin, cynaroside, luteolin, naringenin, wogonin, 6-gingerol, nicotinamide, abscisic acid, daidzein, salvianolic acid B, etc. Overall, our study shows the significant antibacterial and antiparasitic potential of the GSF aqueous extract, which demonstrates the presence of valuable secondary metabolites. Consequently, the aqueous extract is a promising natural alternative for the effective control of Vibrio infections and the treatment of parasitic leeches in aquaculture systems.

Identification and Genetic Characterization of Conjugative Plasmids Encoding Coresistance to Ciprofloxacin and Cephalosporin in Foodborne Vibrio spp.

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants, such as qnrVC genes, have been widely reported in Vibrio spp. while other types of PMQR genes were rarely reported in these bacteria. This study characterized the phenotypic and genotypic features of foodborne Vibrio spp. carrying qnrS, a key PMQR gene in Enterobacteriaceae. Among a total of 1,811 foodborne Vibrio isolates tested, 34 (1.88%) were found to harbor the qnrS gene. The allele qnrS2 was the most prevalent, but coexistence with other qnr alleles was common. Missense mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the gyrA and parC genes were only found in 11 of the 34 qnrS-bearing isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that all 34 qnrS-bearing isolates were resistant to ampicillin and that a high percentage also exhibited resistance to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Genetic analysis showed that these phenotypes were attributed to a diverse range of resistance elements that the qnrS-bearing isolates harbored. The qnrS2 gene could be found in both the chromosome and plasmids; the plasmid-borne qnrS2 genes could be found on both conjugative and nonconjugative plasmids. pAQU-type qnrS2-bearing conjugative plasmids were able to mediate expression of phenotypic resistance to both ciprofloxacin and cephalosporins. Transmission of this plasmid among Vibrio spp. would speed up the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens that are resistant to the most important antibiotics used in treatment of Vibrio infections, suggesting that close monitoring of emergence and dissemination of MDR Vibrio spp. in both food samples and clinical settings is necessary. IMPORTANCE Vibrio spp. used to be very susceptible to antibiotics. However, resistance to clinically important antibiotics, such as cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, among clinically isolated Vibrio strains is increasingly common. In this study, we found that plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes, such as qnrS, that have not been previously reported in Vibrio spp. can now be detected in food isolates. The qnrS2 gene alone could mediate expression of ciprofloxacin resistance in Vibrio spp.; importantly, this gene could be found in both the chromosome and plasmids. The plasmids that harbor the qnrS2 gene could be both conjugative and nonconjugative, among which the pAQU-type qnrS2-bearing conjugative plasmids were able to mediate expression of resistance to both ciprofloxacin and cephalosporins. Transmission of this plasmid among Vibrio spp. would accelerate the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Vibrio spp. and Enterococcus spp. in retail shrimp in Northern California.

Shrimp is one of the most consumed seafood products globally. Antimicrobial drugs play an integral role in disease mitigation in aquaculture settings, but their prevalent use raises public health concerns on the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. Vibrio spp., as the most common causative agents of seafood-borne infections in humans, and Enterococcus spp., as an indicator organism, are focal bacteria of interest for the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in seafood. In this study, 400 samples of retail shrimp were collected from randomly selected grocery stores in the Greater Sacramento, California, area between September 2019 and June 2020. The prevalence of Vibrio spp. and Enterococcus spp. was 60.25% (241/400) and 89.75% (359/400), respectively. Subsamples of Vibrio (n = 110) and Enterococcus (n = 110) isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Vibrio isolates had high phenotypic resistance to ampicillin (52/110, 47.27%) and cefoxitin (39/110, 35.45%). Enterococcus were most frequently resistant to lincomycin (106/110, 96.36%), quinupristin-dalfopristin (96/110, 87.27%), ciprofloxacin (93/110, 84.55%), linezolid (86/110, 78.18%), and erythromycin (58/110, 52.73%). For both Vibrio and Enterococcus, no significant associations were observed between multidrug resistance (MDR, resistance to ≥3 drug classes) in isolates from farm raised and wild caught shrimp (p > 0.05) and in isolates of domestic and imported origin (p > 0.05). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of a subset of Vibrio isolates (n = 42) speciated isolates as primarily V. metschnikovii (24/42; 57.14%) and V. parahaemolyticus (12/42; 28.57%), and detected 27 unique antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) across these isolates, most commonly qnrVC6 (19.05%, 8/42), dfrA31 (11.90%, 5/42), dfrA6 (9.5%, 4/42), qnrVC1 (9.5%, 4/42). Additionally, WGS predicted phenotypic resistance in Vibrio isolates with an overall sensitivity of 11.54% and specificity of 96.05%. This study provides insights on the prevalence and distribution of AMR in Vibrio spp. and Enterococcus spp. from retail shrimp in California which are important for food safety and public health and exemplifies the value of surveillance in monitoring the spread of AMR and its genetic determinants.

Structural displacement model of chitooligosaccharide transport through chitoporin.

VhChiP is a chitooligosaccharide-specific porin identified in the outer membrane of Vibrio campbellii type strain American Type Culture Collection BAA 1116. VhChiP contains three identical subunits, and in each subunit, the 19-amino acid N-terminal segment serves as a molecular plug (the "N-plug") that controls the closed/open dynamics of the neighboring pores. In this study, the crystal structures of VhChiP lacking the N-plug were determined in the absence and presence of chitohexaose. Binding studies of sugar-ligand interactions by single-channel recordings and isothermal microcalorimetry experiments suggested that the deletion of the N-plug peptide significantly weakened the sugar-binding affinity due to the loss of hydrogen bonds around the central affinity sites. Steered molecular dynamic simulations revealed that the movement of the sugar chain along the sugar passage triggered the ejection of the N-plug, while the H-bonds transiently formed between the reducing end GlcNAc units of the sugar chain with the N-plug peptide may help to facilitate sugar translocation. The findings enable us to propose the structural displacement model, which enables us to understand the molecular basis of chitooligosaccharide uptake by marine Vibrio bacteria.

Microbiological quality, antibiotic resistant bacteria and relevant resistance genes in ready-to-eat Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas).

Oysters are a highly valued seafood but can endanger public health, if they are eaten raw or barely cooked. We evaluated the microbiological quality of Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) by international standard methods in four groups (each with four to five animals) acquired from supermarkets and directly from a farm producer. Most of the groups presented satisfactory microbiological quality. In two groups of oysters, 'questionable' or 'unsatisfactory' quality was observed for the coagulase-positive Staphylococcus parameter. Culture-based methods did not detect Salmonella spp. or enteropathogenic Vibrio spp., but Vibrio alginolyticus, a potential foodborne pathogen, was identified by molecular analysis. Fifty strains, belonging to 19 species, were isolated in antibiotic-supplemented media, and their antibiotic susceptibility profile was evaluated. Genes coding for ß-lactamases were searched by PCR in bacteria showing resistance phenotype. Decreased susceptibility or resistance to distinct antibiotics were observed for bacteria from depurated and non-depurated oysters. The blaTEM gene was identified in Escherichia fergusonii and Shigella dysenteriae strains, which showed multidrug-resistant phenotypes. The possibility that oysters might be a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria/antibiotic resistance genes is of great concern and highlights the need for stricter controls and preventative measures to mitigate and counteract the dissemination of antibiotic resistance across the food chain.

Sedimentary Vibrio Blooms in the Xisha Islands May Associate with the 2020 Coral Bleaching Event.

Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems, providing habitats for various organisms. Studies on coral bleaching have been increasing recently, but little is known about the distribution and community assembly of coral pathogenic bacteria (e.g., several Vibrio species). We elucidated the distribution pattern and interaction relationships of total bacteria and Vibrio spp. in sediments from the Xisha Islands, which are characterized by their high coverage and diversity of coral resources. Vibrio spp. showed significantly higher relative abundance values in the Xisha Islands (1.00 × 108 copies/g) than in other areas (approximately 1 × 104 to 9.04 × 105 copies/g), indicating that the coral bleaching event of 2020 may have promoted the bloom of vibrios. A spatial shift in community composition was observed between the northern (Photobacterium rosenbergii and Vibrio ponticus) and southern (Vibrio ishigakensis and Vibrio natriegens) sites, accompanied by a clear distance-decay pattern. The spatial distance and coral species (e.g., Acroporidae and Fungiidae) had much greater correlations with the Vibrio community than did environmental factors. However, complex mechanisms may exist in the community assembly of Vibrio spp. due to the large proportion of unexplained variation. Stochastic processes may play an important role, as shown by the neutral model. Vibrio harveyi had the highest relative abundance (77.56%) and niche breadth, compared to other species, and it was negatively correlated with Acroporidae, likely reflecting its strong competitive ability and adverse effects on specific corals. Our study provides insights into the bloom and underlying assembly mechanisms of sedimentary vibrios in the Xisha Islands, thereby contributing to identify the potential indicator of coral bleaching and provide inspiration for the environmental management of coral reef areas. IMPORTANCE Coral reefs exert important roles in maintaining the sustainability of marine ecosystems but decline worldwide due to various drivers, especially pathogenic microorganisms. Here, we investigated the distribution pattern and interactions of total bacteria and Vibrio spp. in the sediments from Xisha Islands during the coral bleaching event of 2020. Our results showed that the abundances of Vibrio (1.00 × 108 copies/g) were high across the whole sites, indicating the bloom of sedimentary Vibrio spp. Coral pathogenic Vibrio species were abundant in the sediments, likely reflecting adverse effects on several kinds of corals. The compositions of the Vibrio spp. were separated by geographical location, which was mainly attributable to the spatial distance and coral species. Overall, this work contributes by providing evidence for the outbreak of coral pathogenic vibrios. The pathogenic mechanism of the dominant species (especially V. harveyi) should be comprehensively considered by laboratory infection experiments in the future.

Unravelling the secrets of multi-domain lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs).

A new chitin-active AA10 lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from the marine bacterium Vibrio campbellii is described in the paper by Zhou et al. [(2023), Acta Cryst. D79, 479-497].