Applied and Environmental Science
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceBiofilm Formation Drives Transfer of the Conjugative Element ICEBs1 in Bacillus subtilisTransfer of mobile genetic elements from one bacterium to another is the principal cause of the spread of antibiotic resistance. However, the dissemination of these elements in environmental contexts is poorly understood. In clinical and environmental settings, bacteria are often found living in multicellular communities encased in a matrix, a structure known as a biofilm. In this study, we examined how forming a biofilm influences the...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceWidespread Antibiotic, Biocide, and Metal Resistance in Microbial Communities Inhabiting a Municipal Waste Environment and Anthropogenically Impacted RiverLandfill leachate is a persistent contamination threat for terrestrial waters. Microbial metabolism in landfills transforms contaminants and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. A better understanding of landfill-associated microbial communities will inform bioremediation of solid waste environments and improve pathogen monitoring. We leveraged shotgun metagenomics to investigate the microbial communities of the Riverton City dump...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceComplete Genome Sequence of a blaKPC-2-Positive Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain Isolated from the Effluent of an Urban Sewage Treatment Plant in JapanWe isolated and determined the complete genome sequence of a KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae strain from a sampling site in Tokyo Bay, Japan, near a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In Japan, the KPC type has been very rarely detected, while IMP is the most predominant type of carbapenemase in clinical carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) isolates...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceThe PedS2/PedR2 Two-Component System Is Crucial for the Rare Earth Element Switch in Pseudomonas putida KT2440The function of lanthanides for methanotrophic and methylotrophic bacteria is gaining increasing attention, while knowledge about the role of rare earth elements (REEs) in nonmethylotrophic bacteria is still limited. The present study investigates the recently described differential expression of the two PQQ-EDHs of P. putida in response to lanthanides. We demonstrate...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceA Population-Based Surveillance Study of Shared Genotypes of Escherichia coli Isolates from Retail Meat and Suspected Cases of Urinary Tract InfectionsCommunity-acquired urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli is one of the most common infectious diseases in the United States, affecting approximately seven million women and costing approximately 11.6 billion dollars annually. In addition, antibiotic resistance among E. coli bacteria...
Observation | Applied and Environmental ScienceDirect Detection of Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms from Environmental Samples Using the GeneXpert Molecular Diagnostic SystemUse of the Carba-R assay for detection of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms (CROs) can provide data for implementation of a rapid infection control response to minimize the spread of CROs in the health care setting.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceTaxon-Driven Functional Shifts Associated with Storm Flow in an Urban Stream Microbial CommunityUrban streams in various parts of the world are facing increased anthropogenic pressure on their water quality, and storm flow events represent one such source of complex physical, chemical, and biological perturbations. Microorganisms are important components of these streams from both ecological and public health perspectives. Analysis of the effect of perturbations on the stream microbial community can help improve current knowledge...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceA Reference Viral Database (RVDB) To Enhance Bioinformatics Analysis of High-Throughput Sequencing for Novel Virus DetectionTo facilitate bioinformatics analysis of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data for the detection of both known and novel viruses, we have developed a new reference viral database (RVDB) that provides a broad representation of different virus species from eukaryotes by including all viral, virus-like, and virus-related sequences (excluding bacteriophages), regardless of their size. In particular, RVDB contains endogenous nonretroviral...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceInhibition of Cyanobacterial Growth on a Municipal Wastewater Sidestream Is Impacted by TemperatureCyanobacteria are viewed as promising platforms to produce fuels and/or high-value chemicals as part of so-called “biorefineries.” Their integration into wastewater treatment systems is particularly interesting because removal of the nitrogen and phosphorus in many wastewater streams is an expensive but necessary part of wastewater treatment. In this study, we evaluated strategies for cultivating Synechococcus sp. strain PCC...
Observation | Applied and Environmental ScienceA Novel aadA Aminoglycoside Resistance Gene in Bovine and Porcine PathogensAminoglycosides are important antimicrobials used worldwide for prophylaxis and/or therapy in multiple production animal species. The emergence of new resistance genes jeopardizes current pathogen detection and treatment methods. The risk of resistance gene transfer to other animal and human pathogens is elevated when resistance genes are carried by mobile genetic elements. This study identified a new variant of a spectinomycin/...