Autor: |
Medeiros AW; a Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite, 500, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil., Blaese Amorim D; b Center for Coastal Studies, Limnology and Marine, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Tramandaí, 976, CEP 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil., Tavares M; b Center for Coastal Studies, Limnology and Marine, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Tramandaí, 976, CEP 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil., de Moura TM; c Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Gomes Carneiro, 1 - Centro, CEP 96010-610, Pelotas, RS, Brazil., Franco AC; a Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite, 500, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil., d'Azevedo PA; d Gram-positive Coccus Laboratory, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Sarmento Leite, 245, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil., Frazzon J; e Food Science Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500 - Campus do Vale - Prédio 443.212, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil., Frazzon AP; a Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite, 500, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. |
Abstrakt: |
Analyses using culture-independent molecular techniques have improved our understanding of microbial composition. The aim of this work was to identify and quantify enterococci in fecal samples of wild marine species using real-time quantitative PCR. Seven Enterococcus species were examined in fecal DNA of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis), Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis), green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), snowy-crowned tern (Sterna trudeaui), white-backed stilt (Himantopus melanurus), white-chinned petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis), red knot (Calidris canutus), and black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris). All Enterococcus species evaluated were detected in all fecal samples of wild marine species, with a concentration ranging between 10 6 and 10 12 copies/ng of total DNA. Differences in the enterococci distribution were observed. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus mundtii were most abundant in marine mammals. Enterococcus faecalis was frequent in green turtle, Magellanic penguin, snowy-crowned tern, red knot, and black-browed albatross. Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus gallinarum showed elevated occurrence in white-backed stilt, and Enterococcus faecium in white-chinned petrel. This study showed highest diversity of enterococci in feces of wild marine species than currently available data, and reinforced the use of culture-independent analysis to help us to enhance our understanding of enterococci in gastrointestinal tracts of wild marine species. |