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Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Marine Environment

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A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 14074

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Danny Morick

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Guest Editor

Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Interests: virus; bacteria; fish; disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many other marine animals are all susceptible to infectious diseases and some of these pathogenic microorganisms can transmit diseases to humans. Over the past few decades, there has been a global increase in reports of diseases affecting marine organisms of diverse taxa and environmental conditions play a crucial role in pathogen transmission between animals and in clinical disease occurrence. Numerous pathogens and many different transmission modes are involved in the epidemiology of the disease transmission in the marine environment. Climate change is an important factor, causing pressure on marine ecosystems that are already subject to many anthropogenic disturbances, such as overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. Compared to terrestrial animals, we know very little about mechanisms of diseases transmission in the sea. The purpose of this special issue is to raze interest in this important topic that is in the need for further development. Surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, research, training and education are key elements in understanding the importance of pathogenic microorganisms in and from the sea.

Dr. Danny Morick
Guest Editor

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Keywords

marine wildlife
epidemiology
infectious diseases
pathogens

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Tetraplex qPCR for the Molecular Identification and Quantification of Human Enteric Viruses, NoV and HAV, in Fish Samples

by Andreia Filipa-Silva, Mónica Nunes, Ricardo Parreira and Maria Teresa Barreto Crespo

Microorganisms 2021, 9(6), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9061149 - 27 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2638

Abstract

Human enteric viruses such as norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are some of the most important causes of foodborne infections worldwide. Usually, infection via fish consumption is not a concern regarding these viruses, since fish are mainly consumed cooked. However, in the last years, raw fish consumption has become increasingly common, especially involving the use of seabass and gilthead seabream in dishes like sushi, sashimi, poke, and carpaccio. Therefore, the risk for viral infection via the consumption of raw fish has also increased. In this study, a virologic screening was performed in 323 fish specimens captured along the Portuguese coast using a tetraplex qPCR optimised for two templates (plasmid and in vitro transcribed RNA) to detect and quantify NoV GI, NoV GII and HAV genomes. A difference of approximately 1-log was found between the use of plasmid or in vitro transcribed RNA for molecular-based quantifications, showing an underestimation of genome copy-number equivalents using plasmid standard-based curves. Additionally, the presence of NoV genomic RNA in a pool of seabass brains was identified, which was shown to cluster with a major group of human norovirus sequences from genogroup I (GI.1) by phylogenetic analysis. None of the analysed fish revealed the presence of NoV GII or HAV. This result corroborates the hypothesis that enteric viruses circulate in seawater or that fish were contaminated during their transportation/handling, representing a potential risk to humans through raw or undercooked fish consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Marine Environment)

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18 pages, 1489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vibrio Species in an Urban Tropical Estuary: Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Interaction with Environmental Parameters, and Possible Public Health Outcomes

by Anna L. B. Canellas, Isabelle R. Lopes, Marianne P. Mello, Rodolfo Paranhos, Bruno F. R. de Oliveira and Marinella S. Laport

Microorganisms 2021, 9(5), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9051007 - 7 May 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4450

Abstract

The genus Vibrio comprises pathogens ubiquitous to marine environments. This study evaluated the cultivable Vibrio community in the Guanabara Bay (GB), a recreational, yet heavily polluted estuary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Over one year, 66 water samples from three locations along a pollution gradient were investigated. Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, revealing 20 Vibrio species, including several potential pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing confirmed resistance to aminoglycosides, beta-lactams (including carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins), fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines. Four strains were producers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), all of which carried beta-lactam and heavy metal resistance genes. The toxR gene was detected in all V. parahaemolyticus strains, although none carried the tdh or trh genes. Higher bacterial isolation rates occurred in months marked by higher water temperatures, lower salinities, and lower phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations. The presence of non-susceptible Vibrio spp. was related to indicators of eutrophication and sewage inflow. DNA fingerprinting analyses revealed that V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus strains non-susceptible to antimicrobials might persist in these waters throughout the year. Our findings indicate the presence of antimicrobial-resistant and potentially pathogenic Vibrio spp. in a recreational environment, raising concerns about the possible risks of human exposure to these waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Marine Environment)

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24 pages, 3650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Genomics Analysis of Vibrio anguillarum Isolated from Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) in Newfoundland Reveal Novel Chromosomal Organizations

by Ignacio Vasquez, Trung Cao, Setu Chakraborty, Hajarooba Gnanagobal, Nicole O’Brien, Jennifer Monk, Danny Boyce, Jillian D. Westcott and Javier Santander

Microorganisms 2020, 8(11), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8111666 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2941

Abstract

Vibrio anguillarum is a Gram-negative marine pathogen causative agent of vibriosis in a wide range of hosts, including invertebrates and teleosts. Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), a native fish of the North Atlantic Ocean, is utilized as cleaner fish to control sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestations in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture industry. V. anguillarum is one of the most frequent bacterial pathogens affecting lumpfish. Here, we described the phenotype and genomic characteristics of V. anguillarum strain J360 isolated from infected cultured lumpfish in Newfoundland, Canada. Koch’s postulates determined in naïve lumpfish showed lethal acute vibriosis in lumpfish. The V. anguillarum J360 genome was shown to be composed of two chromosomes and two plasmids with a total genome size of 4.56 Mb with 44.85% G + C content. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses showed that V. anguillarum J360 is closely related to V. anguillarum strain VIB43, isolated in Scotland, with a 99.8% genome identity. Differences in the genomic organization were identified and associated with insertion sequence elements (ISs). Additionally, V. anguillarum J360 does not possess a pJM1-like plasmid, typically present in virulent isolates from the Pacific Ocean, suggesting that acquisition of this extrachromosomal element and the virulence of V. anguillarum J360 or other Atlantic isolates could increase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Marine Environment)

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Review

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14 pages, 957 KiB

Open AccessReview

Carbapenem Resistance among Marine Bacteria—An Emerging Threat to the Global Health Sector

by Dewa A.P. Rasmika Dewi, Torsten Thomas, Ana Masara Ahmad Mokhtar, Noreen Suliani Mat Nanyan, Siti Balqis Zulfigar and Nor Hawani Salikin

Microorganisms 2021, 9(10), 2147; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9102147 - 14 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2970

Abstract

The emergence of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microorganisms is a major issue for global public health, as it results in acute or chronic infections, debilitating diseases, and mortality. Of particular concern is the rapid and common spread of carbapenem resistance in healthcare settings. Carbapenems are a class of critical antibiotics reserved for treatment against multidrug-resistant microorganisms, and resistance to this antibiotic may result in limited treatment against infections. In addition to in clinical facilities, carbapenem resistance has also been identified in aquatic niches, including marine environments. Various carbapenem-resistant genes (CRGs) have been detected in different marine settings, with the majority of the genes incorporated in mobile genetic elements, i.e., transposons or plasmids, which may contribute to efficient genetic transfer. This review highlights the potential of the marine environment as a reservoir for carbapenem resistance and provides a general overview of CRG transmission among marine microbes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Marine Environment)

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