The Isolation and Identification of Bacteria on Feathers of Migratory Bird Species.

Worldwide, bacteria are the most ubiquitous microorganisms, and it has been extensively demonstrated that migratory wild birds can increase bacterial global scale dispersion through long-distance migration and dispersal. The microbial community hosted by wild birds can be highly diverse, including pathogenic strains that can contribute to infections and disease spread. This study focused on feather and plumage bacteria within bird microbial communities. Samples were collected during ornithological activities in a bird ringing station. Bacterial identification was carried out via DNA barcoding of the partial 16S rRNA gene. Thirty-seven isolates of bacteria were identified on the chest feathers of 60 migratory birds belonging to three trans-Saharan species: Muscicapa striata, Hippolais icterina, and Sylvia borin. Our results demonstrate the possibility of bacterial transfer, including pathogens, through bird migration between very distant countries. The data from the analysis of plumage bacteria can aid in the explanation of phenomena such as migratory birds' fitness or the development of secondary sexual traits. Moreover, these results have deep hygienic⁻sanitary implications, since many bird species have synanthropic behaviors during their migration that increase the probability of disease spread.

Use of high-strength electromagnetic radiation to remove phototrophic biofilms from terracotta artifacts.

A novel technique, effective in eliminating biodeteriogens from biofilms encrusting terracotta artifacts, is presented here. This method is based on the use of high-strength electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the radiofrequency band. Shards of terracotta from historical pots at the Botanical Garden of Naples, Italy, were used. The shards, after sterilization, were inoculated with several phototrophic microorganisms previously isolated from whole terracotta pots. The newly formed biofilms were exposed to EMR amplitude modulated by a train of rectangular pulses with Tr = 200 ns repetition time and 10% duty cycle. The exposure protocol consisted of three applications of 2 h each, every other day. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses conducted on the newly formed biofilms showed that, after the first exposure to EMR, all species in the biofilms but one were still alive. The second exposure resulted in the disappearance of 9 out of 13 species that were initially present on the samples. After the third exposure, all species disappeared. Superficial layers of terracotta from the exposed samples, transferred to a culture medium at 24 °C for 72 h, did not show any re-growing of organisms. Petrographic analyses of the sampleswere carried out before and after the treatments; they showed that exposure to EMR did not cause structural alterations in the treated substrates. Moreover, the amplitude of the EMR that samples were exposed to was not high enough to cause any significant increase in the temperature of the substrates; that is, no thermal effect, which is the most relevant effect when matter or organisms containing water are exposed to EMR, was observed. Finally, the field strength of the EMR showed to be non-invasive for the artifacts and non-dangerous for operators and the environment as compared to other techniques adopted in the field of conservation of cultural heritage.

Multigenerational effects and DNA alterations of QDs-Indolicidin on Daphnia magna.

The complex QDs-Indolicidin (QDs-Ind) has been previously shown to be a good antimicrobial system with a low acute toxicity on Daphnia magna (D. magna). However, multigenerational effects caused by exposure to QDs-Ind and after subsequent recovery are still unknown. In this study, we performed multigenerational exposure tests and we evaluated individual fitness, population growth, DNA alteration, expression of Dhb (haemoglobin), Vtg (vitellogenin), CYP4 (cytochrome P450s CYP4 family), and CYP314 (cytochrome P450s mitochondrial family 314) genes on three generation of D. magna. Results showed that the total amount of eggs produced per female and total number of brood per female and body lengths were significantly decreased, Dhb, CYP4 were upregulated while Vtg was down-regulated except at reproduction days when it was slightly up-regulated under QDs-Ind exposure. Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method has proven to be useful to qualitative assess of DNA damage during generation and to underline modification in somatic or germinal cells. The results of the study suggest that effects of chronic exposure cannot be ignored.

Prevalence, Distribution, and Diversity of Salmonella spp. in Meat Samples Collected from Italian Slaughterhouses.

Recently worldwide food safety authorities indicated the rise of foodborne outbreaks linked to Salmonella: this highlighted the need to intensify monitoring and apply more targeted controls to help manage the spread of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of Salmonella serotypes in 7 slaughterhouses, located in different areas of Naples province (Regione Campania, Italy). Meat samples collected from the slaughterhouses were submitted for standardized microbiological analysis in 2015. Results of routine testing for Salmonella spp. were analyzed and then compared to biochemical and molecular evaluations. Salmonella spp. were detected in 12% of 320 samples examined (39/320) and the isolation rates ranged from 87% (32 samples) for raw poultry meat to 13% (7 samples) for pork meat. Biochemical serotyping showed that approximately 50% of the isolates belonged to Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis. Rapid detection methods, such as molecular analysis (polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis), able to confirm food matrices contamination, represent a valid support to the fast identification of Salmonella species. A further aspect of the study consisted, indeed, on analyzing isolated strains through molecular evaluations. By amplifying bacterial DNA-using invA primers, selective for Salmonella-it was possible, in less than 3 h, to classify the isolates as Salmonella spp., confirming the results of microbiological outcomes. Results of distribution analysis, supported by rapid molecular approaches, showed the difficulty of reducing Salmonella risk on food chain. This emphasized the importance of periodic surveillance to prevent outbreaks.