The beneficial influence of bacteriocin-producing, probiotic, mostly non-autochthonous bacteria has already been reported in various animals. However, their use in horses provides limited information, and results with autochthonous bacteria have not been reported. Therefore, the main objective of this model study was to test the effect of autochthonous, bacteriocin-producing faecal strain Enterococcus faecium EF 412 application in horses. One gram of freeze-dried EF 412 strain (109 CFU/mL for 21 days) was applied to horses in a small feed ball. Clinically healthy horses (12), Slovak warm-blood breed of various ages (5-13 years), were involved in a 35-day-long experiment, also functioning as control for themselves. They were stabled in separate boxes (university property), fed twice a day (hay, whole oats or grazed) with water access ad libitum. Sampling was performed at the start of the experiment, i.e. at days 0/1, 21 (3 weeks of EF 412 application) and at day 35 (2 weeks of EF 412 cessation). EF 412 colonized GIT of horses was 3.54 ± 0.75 CFU/g (log 10) at day 21. The eggs of the nematode Strongylus spp. were not found in horses after EF 412 application, and Eimeria spp. oocysts were similarly not found. The other microbiota were not reduced as evaluated by the use of standard method. Using next-generation sequencing, at phylum level, phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominated and at family level, they were Bacteroidales BS11 and S24-7 gut goups and Lentisphaerae. In horses, the increasing tendency in phagocytic activity was noted after EF 412 application. Biochemical parameters were in the physiological range. Total protein value was significantly decreased at day 21 compared with day 0/1 as well as with day 35 (P < 0.05). Cholesterol and triglycerides were influenced (decreased) at day 21 compared with day 0/1 and day 35. Neither nematode eggs Strongylus spp. nor Eimeria spp. oocysts were found in faeces after EF 412 application. Autochthonous, faecal strain E. faecium EF 412 showed promising application potential.
- MeSH
- Bacteriocins * metabolism MeSH
- Enterococcus faecium * metabolism MeSH
- Feces microbiology MeSH
- Horses MeSH
- Communicable Disease Control MeSH
- Microbiota * MeSH
- Probiotics * metabolism MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
In Slovakia, dairy products made from ewes' milk have a long tradition. These products include the lactic acid product called "žinčica" which is a by-product occurring during the preparation of ewes' lump cheese. There is no information in the literature regarding the special properties of the microbiota, especially lactic acid Firmicutes, which can survive in "žinčica." From the safety aspect, enterococci are a controversial group of bacteria, and those from "žinčica" have never been tested for their properties. The "žinčica" used in our study was supplied by several different agrofarms producing ewes' lump cheese in central Slovakia. The species Enterococcus faecium (strains EF30E1, EF32E1, EF34E1, EF34E5) and Enterococcus faecalis (strains EE30E4, EE35E1, E31E2, altogether 7) were detected in samples from "žinčica" identified using MALDI-TOF spectrometry with secure genus identification/probable species identification and then confirmed by means of PCR. Enterococci were hemolysis-negative and the genes of the typical enterococcal virulence factors were mostly absent; the gelE gene was found in two E. faecium strains (EF30E1 and EF32E1), the agg gene was detected in E. faecalis EE35E1, and the esp gene was found in two E. faecalis strains (EE30E4 and EE31E2). No strains harbored the cytolysin A gene. Biofilm formation was detected in four strains (EF30E1, EF32E1, EF34E1, and EF34E5), indicating highly positive and low-grade positive biofilm formation. Enterococci were mostly susceptible to antibiotics tested for their phenotype. This is the first study to analyze enterococci in "žinčica."
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology MeSH
- Bacterial Proteins genetics MeSH
- Food Safety * MeSH
- Biofilms growth & development MeSH
- Enterococcus faecalis drug effects genetics MeSH
- Enterococcus faecium drug effects genetics MeSH
- Enterococcus classification drug effects pathogenicity MeSH
- Virulence Factors genetics MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Microbiota MeSH
- Sheep MeSH
- Food Microbiology * MeSH
- Cheese microbiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Slovakia MeSH
Aeromonads represent bacteria thought to be primarily mostly autochthonous to aquatic environments. This study was focused on the relation with antibiotics and enterocins of identified Aeromonas species isolated from the intestine of trouts living in Slovakian aquatic sources. Intestinal samples from 50 trouts (3 Salmo trutta and 47 Salmo gairdnerii) were collected in April of years 2007, 2010, and 2015 from trouts of different water sources in Slovakia (pond Bukovec near Košice, river Čierny Váh). Due to the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry evaluation, 25 strains were proposed to the genus Aeromonas involving nine different species (Aeromonas bestiarum-nine strains, Aer. salmonicida-four strains, Aer. encheleia, Aer. eucrenophila, Aer. molluscorum, Aer. media, Aer. sobria, Aer. popoffii, Aer. veronii). Phenotypic evaluation of individual strains confirmed their species identification. Twenty-five strains of different Aeromonas species were sensitive to azithromycin, amikacin, mecillinam, mezlocillin, piperacillin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. On the other side, they were resistant to carbenicillin and ticarcillin. The growth of Aer. bestiarum R41/1 was inhibited by treatment with Ent M and Ent 2019 (inhibition activity 100 AU/mL). Aer. bestiarum R47/3 was inhibited by eight enterocins (100 AU/mL). It is the first study testing enterocins to inhibit the growth of Aeromonas species from trouts.
- MeSH
- Aeromonas classification drug effects MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology MeSH
- Phenotype MeSH
- Genotype MeSH
- Fish Diseases microbiology MeSH
- Bridged-Ring Compounds MeSH
- Trout microbiology MeSH
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Slovakia MeSH
Enterococci are widespread bacteria forming the third largest genus among lactic acid bacteria. Some possess probiotic properties or they can produce beneficial proteinaceous antimicrobial substances called enterocins. On the other hand, some enterococci produce biogenic amines (BAs), so this study is focused on the sensitivity to enterocins of biogenic amine-producing faecal enterococci from ostriches and pheasants. Altogether, 60 enterococci isolated from faeces of ostriches and pheasants were tested for production of BAs. This target of the identified enterococci involved 46 strains selected from 140 ostriches and 17 from 60 pheasants involving the species Enterococcus hirae, E. faecium, E. faecalis, and E. mundtii. Although BAs histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, and tryptamine were not detected in the enterococci tested, in general high BA production by the tested enterococci was noted. The species E. hirae formed the majority of the enterococcal strains from ostrichs faeces (34 strains). High production of tyramine (TYM) was measured with an average amount of 958.16 ± 28.18 mg/ml. Among the enterococci from pheasants, the highest was production of TYM compared to phenylethylamine, spermidine, and spermine. Enterococci featured high BA production; however, they were sensitive to seven enterocins with inhibition activity ranging from 100 up to 25,600 AU/ml.
- MeSH
- Biogenic Amines biosynthesis MeSH
- Enterococcus classification isolation & purification MeSH
- Feces chemistry microbiology MeSH
- Phenethylamines metabolism MeSH
- Galliformes microbiology MeSH
- Bridged-Ring Compounds metabolism MeSH
- Spermidine biosynthesis MeSH
- Spermine biosynthesis MeSH
- Struthioniformes microbiology MeSH
- Tyramine biosynthesis MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
In ostriches and pheasants, there is still limited information relating to staphylococci and their properties. Biogenic amines (BAs) are nitrogenous low-molecular-weight substances with biological functions in animals, plants and microorganisms. In this study, we focused on BA production by targeted faecal staphylococci from ostriches and pheasants and their sensitivity to lantibiotic bacteriocin gallidermin. Gallidermin belongs in a group of polycyclic proteinaceous antimicrobial substances. Thirty-six faecal staphylococci (24 strains from 140 ostriches, 12 from 60 pheasants) comprising different species were tested. Staphylococci from ostriches and pheasants did not produce tryptamine-TRYP, putrescine-PUT, cadaverine-CAD or histamine-HIS. Production of tyramine-TYM, phenylethylamine-PEA was high or very high (100-1000 mg/L). Production of spermine-SPM and spermidine-SPD by staphylococci was very low or low although in the case of staphylococci from pheasants medium production of SPM was found. Because of the risk posed by BAs for consumers, the control of BA-producing bacteria is important from the points of view not only of safety assessment of food-producing animals but also of human health safety. The sensitivity to gallidermin in biogenic amine-producing staphylococci from ostriches and pheasants detected here is the most promising indication for further application of gallidermin for veterinary purposes. The novelty of our study lies in testing the ability of faecal staphylococci from ostriches and pheasants to produce BAs and in their treatment with gallidermin which has so far not been tested in this way.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology MeSH
- Bacteriocins pharmacology MeSH
- Biogenic Amines metabolism MeSH
- Feces microbiology MeSH
- Galliformes microbiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Peptides pharmacology MeSH
- Staphylococcus drug effects isolation & purification metabolism MeSH
- Struthioniformes microbiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
This study presents the effects of the probiotic and enterocin M-producing strain Enterococcus faecium AL41 on microbiota, phagocytic activity (PA), oxidative stress, performance and biochemical parameters when applied individually or in combination with Eleutherococcus senticosus in rabbits. The novelty of the study lies in the use of our non-rabbit-derived strain (AL41 = CCM8558) which produces new enterocin M. Ninety-six post-weaned rabbits (Hyplus breed) aged 5 weeks were divided into three experimental groups, 24 in each: E. senticosus (ES, 30 g/100 kg) in feed, E. faecium AL41 (10(9) CFU/mL marked by rifampicin to differentiate it from other enterococci) in water, and ES + AL. AL41 colonized sufficiently in rabbits to reduce coliforms, staphylococci, pseudomonads and clostridia. Slight decrease in bacteria was also found in the caecum and appendix. Phagocytic activity was significantly increased in the experimental groups compared to the control group (CG) (p < 0.001; p < 0.05). Applications did not evoke oxidative stress. Biochemical parameters in blood and caecal organic acids were slightly influenced. Average daily weight gain was slightly higher in ES and AL + ES. Combinative application of E. faecium with E. senticosus can be beneficial in rabbits. AL41 strain alone and in combination with ES produced reduction in spoilage bacteria; the highest stimulation of PA was in the AL41 + ES group.
- MeSH
- Eleutherococcus growth & development metabolism MeSH
- Enterococcus faecium growth & development metabolism MeSH
- Feces microbiology MeSH
- Rabbits metabolism microbiology MeSH
- Bridged-Ring Compounds metabolism MeSH
- Probiotics metabolism MeSH
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome drug effects MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rabbits metabolism microbiology MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The present study focuses on the detection of enterococci in ostrich faeces. Forty-six bacterial colonies from 140 ostriches were identified at the species level using the MALDI-TOF MS identification system. According to the score value evaluation, they were allotted to the species Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus mundtii confirmed also by phenotypic testing. Dominated species E. hirae (34 strains) were submitted to more detailed testing. Those strains E. hirae produced either no or only slight amount of the enzymes related to disorders (N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, β-glucuronidase, α-chymotrypsin, trypsin). Most of the strains were not hemolytic. They did not harbour the hiracin-producing gene. Five E. hirae strains harboured virulence factor gene gelE; however, they were phenotypically gelatinase negative. They also harboured other virulence factor genes such as esp, efaAfm and ccf. E. hirae strains were mostly sensitive to antibiotics and those resistant at least to one antibiotic were sensitive to enterocins (200-25,600 AU/mL). This study represents original and novel results concerning the enterococcal microflora in ostriches; enterococci in ostriches have not been described in detail up to now; sensitivity to enterocins of E. hirae strains harbouring virulence factor genes to enterocins is also new.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology MeSH
- Enterococcus classification drug effects genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Virulence Factors analysis genetics MeSH
- Feces microbiology MeSH
- Animals, Domestic MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Bridged-Ring Compounds metabolism MeSH
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization MeSH
- Struthioniformes microbiology MeSH
- Bacterial Typing Techniques MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Only limited information exists concerning the microbiota in beaver (Castor fiber). This study has been focused on the virulence factors genes detection in enterococci from beavers. In general, animals are not affected by enterococcal infections, but they can be a reservoir of, e.g. pathogenic strains. Moreover, detection of virulence factors genes in enterococci from beavers was never tested before. Free-living beavers (12), male and female (age 4-5 years) were caught in the north-east part of Poland. Sampling of lower gut and faeces was provided according to all ethical rules for animal handling. Samples were treated using a standard microbiological method. Pure bacterial colonies were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) identification system. Virulence factors genes-gelE (gelatinase), agg (aggregation), cylA (cytolysin A), efaAfs (adhesin Enterococcus faecalis), efaAfm (adhesin Enterococcus faecium) and esp (surface protein) were tested by PCR. Moreover, gelatinase and antibiotic phenotypes were tested. Species detected were Enterococcus thailandicus, E. faecium, E. faecalis and Enterococcus durans. In literature, enterococcal species distribution was never reported yet up to now. Strains were mostly sensitive to antibiotics. Vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis EE9Tr1 possess cylA, efaAfs, esp and gelE genes. Strains were aggregation substance genes absent. Adhesin E. faecium (efaAfm) gene was detected in two of three E. faecium strains, but it was present also in E. thailandicus. Esp gene was present in EE9Tr1 and E. durans EDTr92. The most detected were gelE, efaAfm genes; in EF 4Hc1 also gelatinase phenotype was found. Strains with virulence factors genes will be tested for their sensitivity to antimicrobial enterocins.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology MeSH
- Bacteriological Techniques MeSH
- Enterococcus classification drug effects genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Virulence Factors analysis genetics MeSH
- Feces microbiology MeSH
- Genotype MeSH
- Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections microbiology veterinary MeSH
- Rodentia microbiology MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Rectum microbiology MeSH
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization MeSH
- Gelatinases analysis MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Poland MeSH
