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The Cavendish banana is Australia's most popular fruit and marketed as emblematic of Australian nationalisms. In July 2017, the disease-causing fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense was confirmed present on Australia's largest Cavendish banana farm, in the worst disease incursion that Northern Queensland Cavendish monocrop plantations have yet faced. Confronted with the potential collapse of the industry, banana growers and Biosecurity Queensland officials have deployed a biosecurity response centred on measures of border control and containment. This paper examines the othering of the disease vector Panama Tropical Race 4, revealing biosecurity attempts as embroiled in cultural preoccupations with invasion. In so doing, this paper establishes that the biosecurity concerns regarding Northern Queensland bananas are not just with the economic and biological productivity of nature, but entangled in post-colonial anxieties over who belongs within the landscape. Following the entangled relations between the disease and Cavendish bananas reveals cultural nuances and multispecies relations. These shape and are shaped by industry and government efforts as experts attempt to maintain governance over entities as they appear to slip from human control. This paper finds that the anxieties and narratives of Australian post-colonial politics are deeply imbricated with the logics of ecological protection, agricultural productivity and the banality of everyday nationalisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pest recognition in the agriculture field plays a critical issue for the farmers which diminishes economic growth. So far, traditional practices were followed by farmers to increase yield production. Nowadays, researchers execute a deep learning approach to classify various kinds of images practically. In this paper, Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) are used to recognise ten kinds of pests present in the paddy crop. The data repository contains around 3549 pest images that affect the paddy crops, Since Deep Learning supports well for larger data-set so the data augmentation process is carried out. The neural model is build using various kinds of DCNN architecture, interpretation was made over the models based on the accuracy rate and the performance. The transfer learning approach is applied over the pest data set by fine-tuning the hyperparameters and the layers of the ResNet-50 model. By comparing the resultant value, the fine-tuned ResNet-50 model produced better accuracy of 95.012% among other models. The obtained resultant value describes the effective performance of the model in pest disease classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In modern medical diagnostics, where analytical chemistry plays a key role, fast and accurate identification of pathogens is becoming increasingly important. Infectious diseases pose a growing threat to public health due to population growth, international air travel, bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and other factors. For instance, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples is a key tool to monitor the spread of the disease. While there are several techniques for identifying pathogens by their genetic code, most of these methods are too expensive or slow to effectively analyze clinical and environmental samples that may contain hundreds or even thousands of different microbes. Standard approaches (e.g., culture media and biochemical assays) are known to be very time- and labor-intensive. The purpose of this review paper is to highlight the problems associated with the analysis and identification of pathogens that cause many serious infections. Special attention was paid to the description of mechanisms and the explanation of the phenomena and processes occurring on the surface of pathogens as biocolloids (charge distribution). This review also highlights the importance of electromigration techniques and demonstrates their potential for pathogen pre-separation and fractionation and demonstrates the use of spectrometric methods, such as MALDI-TOF MS, for their detection and identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the preservation methods in the seafood industry are based on the use of heat processes to improve safety, to extend the shelf life, and to reduce the microbial load. However, these methods have some limitations related to the heat-induced changes to flavor, texture, and appearance, especially for fresh fish production and trade. Therefore, in recent years, research by the fresh-fish industry has mostly focused on studying non-thermal technologies that extend shelf life and reduce or destroy pathogens and spoilage, while retaining the sensory and nutrient content of fresh fish. Some non-thermal methods, such as irradiation, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed light technology, ultraviolet, cold plasma, and ozone treatments, have considerably increased in popularity in the fish industry as decontamination methods that can assist in the production of fish products with improved quality. This paper investigates the ability of various non-thermal technologies to control pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in fresh fish and seafood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endemic, green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), trademarked as Greenshell™ mussel, contributes most to the New Zealand aquaculture industry based on tonnage and export value. Research on mussel immunity is motivated greatly by economical and biosecurity necessities. Indeed, mussel aquaculture is threatened by pathogenic micro-organisms and environmental stressors. As such there is a need to understand the mechanisms that drive mussel immune responses and the associated interactions with the environment. Specifically, this review (1) analyses the existing immunological studies conducted on P. canaliculus, (2) evaluates the literature pertaining to mussel immunity at the cellular and humoral levels, (3) identifies and discusses pathogens that are relevant to P. canaliculus, (4) focuses on the virulent factors employed by mussel pathogens likely to induce diseases, (5) provides a comprehensive analysis of the response mechanisms employed by mussels to various stressors, and (6) explores omics applications and future perspectives in mussel immunology. Finally, this review highlights various strategies from immunological research, such as gene rearrangement, probiotics, immunostimulants, and selective breeding, promising to enhance mussel health and resilience in aquaculture. By exploring these immunological findings and their practical applications, this review contributes to sustainable mussel aquaculture, improving productivity and disease management in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the performance and behavior of a multi-soil-layering (MSL) system to remove fecal contamination bacteria indicators and pathogens from domestic wastewater. The experimental setup was performed using a laboratory-scale MSL system (depth 30 × width 36 × height 65 cm). The MSL system was composed of soil mixture blocks (SMB) arranged in a brick-like pattern and surrounded by permeable gravel layers (PL). The SMB comprised sandy soil, charcoal, sawdust and metal iron at a dry weight ratio of 7:1:1:1. The hydraulic loading rate was 200 L m−2day−1. Bacteriological analyses comprised total bacterial count at 22 and 37°C, fecal coliforms, total coliforms,Escherichia coli, streptococci, intestinal enterococci and pathogenic bacteria:Clostridiumsp.,Staphylococcussp.,Pseudomonassp. andSalmonellasp. The best removal efficiency was achieved forStaphylococcussp. by 1.42 log unit, while the lowest removal efficiency was found forE. coliby 1.01 log unit. The mean removal efficiencies of total suspended solids (SS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) were 93, 86, 81, 78 and 80%, respectively. Based on these results, the MSL system could efficiently remove organic matter, phosphorus and nitrogen. However, the performance to reduce bacterial indicators and pathogens was still moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Due to the significant growth of food production, the potential likelihood of food contamination is increasing. Foodborne illness caused by bacterial pathogens has considerably increased over the past decades, while at the same time, the species of harmful microorganisms also varied. Conventional bacterial culturing methods have been unable to satisfy the growing requirement for food safety inspections and food quality assurance. Therefore, rapid and simple detection methods are urgently needed. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology is a highly promising approach for the rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens, which allows nucleic acid amplification under isothermal conditions. The integration of the LAMP assay onto a microfluidic chip is highly compatible with point-of-care or resource-limited settings, as it offers the capability to perform experiments in combination with high screening efficiency. Here, we provide an overview of recent advances in LAMP-based microfluidic chip technology for detecting pathogens, based on real-time or endpoint determination mechanisms. We also discuss the promoting aspects of using the LAMP technique in a microfluidic platform, to supply a guideline for further molecular diagnosis and genetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review paper, several aspects of fruit juice microbiology, from past to future perspectives, are considered. An overview of the most relevant outbreaks involving foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms associated with fruit juices is provided. One of the sections provides data on the sources of fruit juice contamination, followed by perspectives on preservation methods. Furthermore, considerations on the role of international guidelines about exotic fruit juices in respect to public health, and of the microbiological status of fruit juices used as food/beverage ingredients are discussed. Issues and challenges highlight how the microbiology of fruit juices has evolved over the years, when aspects of stability or microbiological safety are under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper examines the reported microbial quality of rainwater supplies. The majority of microbial contamination derives from debris and faecal material deposited on the roof surface, principally from birds. The prevalence and level of contamination varies widely, both in terms of indicator organisms and pathogens. Gastrointestinal pathogens such as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. have all been isolated from harvested supplies, although these may not always be of types infective to humans. In the UK, there are currently no regulations in respect to the microbial quality of harvested rainwater for non potable use, although there are generally standards relating to the required plumbing to ensure that potable and non potable supplies remain separate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of recent national and global events, biological weapons have be-come an increasingly urgent issue. Preparedness and defense are now the topic of numerous conferences and funding opportunities. Due to this increasing activity re-searchers must now focus more intently on their own safety and security. Bio-safety measures are analyzed by means of risk assessments. In this paper we will explore qualitative risk assessments and the risks associated with six specific pathogens and toxins that are potential bio-terrorism agents: Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Fran-cisella tularemia, Smallpox virus, and the two toxins, ricin and botulinum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and numbers of numerous pathogenic organisms on raw processed poultry have been well documented in the scientific literature. This paper is an attempt to summarize the data in a logical manner, and is timely and useful because of growing concern regarding the microbial safety of poultry products. The literature relating to pathogens commonly associated with processed poultry is extensive, so future surveys should concentrate on those which are emerging. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Advances in the areas of strawberry breeding, production, and pest management are the subjects of new research presented every four years at the North American Strawberry Symposium (NASS). The NASS is an international conference hosted by the North American Strawberry Growers Association; the 2023 symposium was held in San Luis Obispo, California, USA. This editorial review is intended to serve as an introduction to the research topics and institutions represented at the 2023 NASS, and the corresponding Special Article Collection published in the International Journal of Fruit Science. The previous three NASS conferences examined extending production seasons, tailoring production systems to growing environments, and promoting soil health. The 2023 NASS explored new developments in genomics-informed breeding, production automation, and alternative pest management among other topics of keen interest for the strawberry industry. There was strong representation from the host state of California, including research teams from the Cal Poly Strawberry Centre, the University of California Davis, and several private agri-tech ventures. As well, presenters from Pakistan, South Africa, Italy, and Australia brought a global perspective to current breeding, production, and pest management challenges. This NASS 2023 Special Article Collection highlights the major themes of pesticide reduction, data science, and climate change, which are key targets for applied strawberry research in the 2020s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sewage canals of Kolkata, India are substantially polluted by heavily populated human habitats on their banks. This study, for the first time, throws light on the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in those canal bank soils. Eighty-three percent of them showed resistance to amoxycillin and cefotaxime. Pathogens of Bagbazar canal soil demonstrated exceptionally high MIC ranges of amoxycillin. Pathogenic bacteria of agricultural furrow soil (AFS) samples from the outskirts of Kolkata were much smaller in number, and showed complete antibiotic sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial and fungal pathogens are major constraints in successful cultivation of tomato resulting into rigorous yield losses. The impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on bacteria, i.e. Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Ralstonia solanacearum and fungi Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Alternaria solani and on the growth of tomato, chlorophyll, carotenoid contents, proline and defense enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activities were determined. TiO2 NPs were applied at 0.10 mL·L−1 and 0.20 mL·L−1concentration as foliar spray and seed priming. Inoculation of tomato with either of these pathogens reduced plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, but increased proline and activities of SOD, CAT, APX and PAL. Maximum increase in plant growth, chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, SOD, CAT, APX and PAL, and reduction in disease indices was observed at foliar spray with 0.20 mL·L−1 TiO2 NPs, followed by seed priming. Use of 0.10 mL·L−1 NPs as seed priming was less effective. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the absorption of TiO2 NPs by trichomes, stomata and seed surface. Foliar spray with 0.20 mL·L−1 TiO2 NPs was useful in increasing plant growth and provided substantial management of bacterial and fungal diseases of tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo production of baculoviruses requires optimisation studies for each host-virus system. Considering the potential of a Mexican isolate of Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeSIN6) for developing a biopesticide, here, a compartmentalised tray system and a cool-textured diet were used to determine the effect of incubation temperature on the pathogenicity, speed of kill, and production of occlusion bodies (OBs). All measurements were compared with a characterised American nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate (SeUS2). Incubation of fourth instar S. exigua at 20, 25, and 30°C did not significantly affect the mortality caused by either isolate, although a delay in virus infection was observed at 20°C. The OB production of both isolates in infected larvae was significantly lower at 20°C than at 25 and 30°C. At all temperatures, the OB production of the SeSIN6 isolate was higher than the SeUS2 isolate. The production of OBs per mg larva was significantly higher at 30°C for both isolates. A positive correlation was observed between larval weight gain and the production of OBs/larva at all temperatures, whereas a negative correlation was observed between larval gain weight and OBs/mg of larval weight in most of the treatments. We conclude that incubation temperatures of 25 and 30°C are optimal for OB production per larva in both isolates tested. Further studies are needed to examine other factors that can improve the production of Mexican SeMNPV isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial and fungal diseases of tomato caused severe yield losses and are important constrains in successful cultivation. Therefore, impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and bacterial (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Ralstonia solanacearum) and fungal diseases (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Alternaria solani) were assessed. Maximum increase in plant growth (27.8–35.8% increase in shoot dry weight), photosynthetic pigments and proline content and reduction in disease indices (up to 1) were observed by foliar application of 0.20 mL−1 NPs followed by seed priming. Use of 0.10 mL−1 NPs was less effective. Scanning electron microscopy indicated adverse effect of NPs on pathogens. Higher accumulation of Zn occurred in leaves treated with NPs. Substantial management of above mentioned bacterial and fungal diseases may be obtained by foliar application of 0.20 mL−1 ZnO NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Natural antioxidants play an important role in maintaining and improving poultry's well-being, survival and productive and reproductive performance. Pyocyanin, a secondary blue redox-active metabolite, is one of these natural antioxidants that exert several biological activities to improve birds' performance. This study estimated the effect of dietary supplementation with pyocyanin powder (PP) on broiler's growth, carcase and serum properties, meat quality and microbial load activity. A total of 180 1-week-old unsexed chicks were randomly allocated into three groups. The first group served as a control (C) and fed the basal diet, while the second and third groups (P75 and P150) were fed the basal diet supplemented with 75.0 and 150.0 mg PP/kg, respectively. Results showed that overall body weight gain (BWG) was improved (p<.05) in P75 compared to P150 and control groups. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of chicks fed the diet containing PP levels were not altered during all experimental periods compared to the control. Dietary treatments did not affect all carcase traits, blood biochemical parameters and meat sensory characteristics at five weeks of age. Antioxidative status was improved by pyocyanin supplementation as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced while GST and GSH levels were elevated in P75 and P150 compared to the control. Dietary PP supplements increased (p<.05) the pH, lightness and redness of pectoralis major muscle and reduced (p<.05) the yellowness of the muscle and its contents of thiobarbituric acid and total volatile basic nitrogen. The PP addition showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against several pathogenic bacteria and mycotoxigenic fungi. It could be concluded that pyocyanin can be introduced as a natural, functional and phytogenic feed additive to boost broiler's growth, improve their meat quality, produce nutritious meat products and reduce pathogenic bacteria without adverse impacts on their productivity. This work investigated the effect of pyocyanin powder on broiler chickens. The addition of pyocyanin at 75.0 mg/kg diet improved Body weight gain (BWG) and meat quality characteristics. Pyocyanin exerted antibacterial and antifungal activity against several pathogenic bacteria. Pyocyanin could be used as a natural and functional additive to poultry diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 200 1-week-old Japanese quails were randomly allocated into five treatment groups, each consisting of 40 unsexed birds (five replicates, eight birds each). Quails were reared in traditional cages (90 × 40 × 40 cm), and feed and water were made available throughout the 5-week trial. The treatment groups were as follows: the 1st was fed basal diet, whereas the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups were fed with ration supplemented with nano zinc (Zn-NPs) at doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 g/kg diet, respectively. Results showed that, a significant (p ≤.0001) improvement in body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio was observed in birds fed diets supplemented with 0.2 g/kg of Zn-NPs. Supplementation of Zn-NPs at doses of 0.1–0.3 g/kg diet demonstrated a positive impact on the activity of ALT, AST, and LDH. The liver profile parameters were not statistically influenced (p >.05) by dietary biological nano zinc, with the exception of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL). Also, dietary supplementation of biological Zn-NPs at concentrations of 0.1–0.3 g/kg diet demonstrated a positive impact on superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), malondialdehyde (MDA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Dietary supplementation of Zn-NPs led to an increase in beneficial microbial populations. From the obtained results, Zn-NPs supplementation at 0.2 g/kg diet had a positive effect on the performance and physiological status of growing Japanese quails. Zinc (Zn) is an important trace element for the general functioning of the animal body. A significant improvement in growth performance was observed in birds fed diet enriched with 0.2 g/kg of Zn-NPs. Supplementation of Zn-NPs (0.1–0.3 g/kg diet) demonstrated a positive impact on immunity and antioxidant indices [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In integrated pest management (IPM), the goal is to keep the impact of damaging agents below a threshold level with reduced pesticide use. The present review is focusing on IPM of fungal diseases and Phytophthora root rot in Norwegian Christmas tree plantations. Healthy transplants are of vital importance to give the production a good establishment. Sanitation of diseased material and weeds is also very important in IPM. Management strategies will vary with the disease-causing agent in question, therefore, correct identification is necessary. The major pathogens are within the kingdom's Fungi (e.g. Neonectria neomacrospora) and Chromista (e.g. Phytophthora spp.). They depend on relatively high humidity or free moisture to spread and infect. Any factors diminishing the duration of wet conditions will, therefore, reduce the disease pressure. Efficient weed management in Christmas tree fields will increase air circulation and thereby ensure a quicker drying after precipitation. Furthermore, certain weed species are host plants for rust fungi on Christmas trees, and thus, removal of the alternate host is a highly relevant control strategy. In Norway, fungicide use in Christmas trees is limited and only recommended during the short period from bud break to fully elongated shoots, generally the most vulnerable period concerning fungal attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline treatment is widely used to reduce pathogens in sewage sludge in developing countries and guarantee that it is safe for use in agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alkaline treatment applied to waste-activated (WAS) and Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB)-sludge on the bacterial community, pathogens (viable helminths eggs and Salmonella spp), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG). The bacterial community structure was examined through denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE), targeting 16S rRNA genes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to evaluate the presence of several ARGs. The conducted alkaline experiment consisted of adding hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) to sewage sludges. Samples were taken before and after 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment. Alkaline treatment changed considerably the bacterial community structure and after 24 hours, shifts in bacterial profiles were more pronounced in the UASB sludge sample than in WAS. Some bacteria remained under extreme pH conditions (pH > 12), such as Azospira oryzae and Dechloromonas denitrificans in the WAS samples, and Geothrix and Geobacter in the UASB sludge samples. The values of pathogens and indicators in the sludge after 24 hours of alkaline treatment meet sanitary law regulations and thus the sludges could have the potential to agricultural distribution. It is important to highlight that ARG, which are not currently present in sanitary regulations, were detected in the sludge samples after the alkaline treatment, which could be a concern for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Nigerian soil fungi population is unexplored. It is hypothesized that they harbour new bioactive chemicals. This hypothesis is based on the large percentage of currently approved medicines that originated from soil-inhabiting micro-organisms Objectives: To investigate the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Fusarium solani ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract selected based on its broad spectrum of antimicrobial potential in an overlay experiment with seven other soil fungi strains. Materials and methods: Fungus number 6 (F6), identified by molecular characterization as Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc (Nectriaceae) was selected for studies from eight purified soil fungi due to its superior broad-spectrum antibiotics producing potential following agar overlay experiment. F6 was fermented for 21 d and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of its EtOAc fermentation extract (dose range: 12.5–100 µg/mL) was determined using agar dilution method for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and anti-inflammatory properties determined using rat-paw (250–500 mg/kg) and xylene induced oedema (250–500 µg/kg) (in Swiss albino rats and mice) models, respectively. The ability of the extract to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme was also determined in vitro using Cayman test kit-760111. Result: The MIC of the EtOAc extract was <12.5 µg/mL for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. It inhibited xylene induced oedema by 65% compared with 61% observed for diclofenac and was significantly (p < 0.05) better than diclofenac in rat-paw-oedema model within the first phase of inflammation. The extract inhibited COX-1 peroxidase-mediated activities with an IC50 below 5 µg/mL. Conclusions: The extract exhibited strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, warranting further investigations into therapeutic potential of this fungus. This study design can be adapted in soil fungi metabolomic investigations. We report for the first time the potent anti-inflammatory property of the ethyl acetate extract of soil strain of F. solani with a possible mechanism of action that involves the inhibition of COX enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American vine Araujia hortorum (Apocynaceae) is now considered an invasive species in many countries. In New Zealand it has been targeted for biological control. In its native range in Argentina it is frequently affected by cercosporoid fungi but little is known about the diseases they cause. These pathogens produce no, or scarce, conidia on common artificial media thus hindering certain experimental studies such as pathogenicity and host range tests. We developed a technique to obtain abundant sporulation of two cercosporoid species isolated from diseased leaves of this host. Sporulation was studied and compared on several artificial culture media after different incubation periods. The best results were obtained on a medium prepared with a decoction of the leaves of the host and the addition of CaCO3, after an incubation period of eight days at 25°C for Cercospora sp. and after five days at 20°C for Pseudocercospora fumosa. It is expected the new medium may prove useful for other cercosporoid pathogens as well, at least for those affecting related hosts in the Apocynaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly hatched chickens are confronted by a wide array of pathogenic microbes because their adaptive immune defences have limited capabilities to control these pathogens. In such circumstances, and within this age group, innate responses provide a degree of protection. Moreover, as the adaptive immune system is relatively naïve to foreign antigens, synergy with innate defences is critical. This review presents knowledge on the ontogeny of innate immunity in chickens pre-hatch and early post-hatch and provides insights into possible interventions to modulate innate responses early in the life of the bird. As in other vertebrate species, the chicken innate immune system which include cellular mediators, cytokine and chemokine repertoires and molecules involved in antigen detection, develop early in life. Comparison of innate immune systems in newly hatched chickens and mature birds has revealed differences in magnitude and quality, but responses in younger chickens can be boosted using innate immune system modulators. Functional expression of pattern recognition receptors and several defence molecules by innate immune system cells of embryos and newly hatched chicks suggests that innate responses can be modulated at this stage of development to combat pathogens. Improved understanding of innate immune system ontogeny and functionality in chickens is critical for the implementation of sound and safe interventions to provide long-term protection against pathogens. Next-generation tools for studying genetic and epigenetic regulation of genes, functional metagenomics and gene knockouts can be used in the future to explore and dissect the contributions of signalling pathways of innate immunity and to devise more efficacious disease control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the potential distribution of harmful species to agriculture, livestock and forestry is decisive to prevent their impacts, especially when these are expanding their range due to global change. Recent advances in species distribution modelling (SDM) have made these tools widely used for biosecurity studies. We reviewed the available literature of SDM for pest, weeds, pathogen species and biological-control agents, with the aims of synthesizing and quantifying the available information, and identifying gaps in the knowledge and future perspectives. SDMs for 420 species were collected from 220 publications. Insect pests were the most frequently studied organisms. CLIMEX and MaxEnt were the most commonly used modelling tools, while pure mechanistic approaches were rarely applied. Most studies covered broad scales, and focused on predicting the distribution of invasive species and/or the effects of climate change. The challenge remains for models to include disturbance, resource availability, and biotic factors, as well as to better quantify uncertainty. This future directions will be fundamental to improve the predictive power of SDMs for productive systems in the context of a rapidly changing World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three active compounds isolated from Oceanobacillus sp. XC22919 were identified as 2-methyl-N-(2′-phenylethyl) butyramide (1), 3-methyl-N-(2′-phenylethyl)-butyramide (2) and benzyl benzoate (3), and were first reported to exhibit the apparent quorum sensing inhibitory activities against C.violaceum 026 and P.aeruginosa. Compounds 1–3 inhibited violacein production of C. violaceum 026 by 10.5–55.7, 11.2–55.7, and 27.2%–95.7%, respectively, and inhibited pyocyanin production of P. aeruginosa by 1.7–50.8, 39.1–90.7, and 57.2%–98.7%, respectively. The azocasein-degrading proteolytic rates of P. aeruginosa were observed by 13.4–31.5, 13.4–28.8, and 11.3%–21.1%, respectively. With respect to elastase, the range of inhibition of activity of compounds 1–3 was 2.1–30.3, 4.2–18.2, and 8.9%–15.7%, respectively. Compounds 1 and 3 also showed a concentration-dependent attenuation in biofilm formation, with the maximum of 50.6% inhibition, and 37.7% inhibition at 100 μg/mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The β-class carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from the pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, BpsCAβ, that is responsible for the tropical disease melioidosis was investigated for its activation with natural and non-natural amino acids and amines. Previously, the γ-CA from this bacterium has been investigated with the same library of 19 amines/amino acids, which show very potent activating effects on both enzymes. The most effective BpsCAβ activators were L- and D-DOPA, L- and D-Trp, L-Tyr, 4-amino-L-Phe, histamine, dopamine, serotonin, 2-pyridyl-methylamine, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-piperazine and L-adrenaline with KAs of 0.9-27 nM. Less effective activators were D-His, L- and D-Phe, D-Tyr, 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine and 4-(2-aminoethyl)-morpholine with KAs of 73 nM-3.42 µM. The activation of CAs from bacteria, such as BpsCAγ/β, has not been considered previously for possible biomedical applications. It would be of interest to perform studies in which bacteria are cultivated in the presence of CA activators, which may contribute to understanding processes connected with the virulence and colonization of the host by pathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Mentha pulegium (M. pulegium) and Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) essential oils (EOs) against bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) isolated from food and hospitals and phytopathogenics fungi (Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer) isolated from crops were studied. Gas vhromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed pulegone (86.3%) as the major compound for M. pulegium EO (MEO) while R. officinalis EO (REO) was rich in 1,8-Cineole (35.7%). Antibacterial activity of MEO was more important than REO. S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were the most resistant to REO while P. aeruginosa was the most sensitive to MEO. MEO was also effective against the fungal strains at low concentrations. In fact, 2 μL/mL were sufficient to inhibit 100% of mycelium growth for both B. cinerea and R. Stolonifer. B. cinerea was more sensitive to REO than R. stolonifer. Antioxydant activity of the two EOs were examined using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay method. MEO showed notable antioxidant activity when compared to BHT while REO showed a very small activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of pathogens and the development of spoilage microflora in organic chicken meat originating from a small poultry slaughterhouse and stored for 14 days at 2°C aerobically (control) or in one of two modified atmosphere packaging systems (MAP1: 80% O2, 20% CO2 and MAP2: 70% N2, 30% CO2). 2. Campylobacter jejuni survived well during storage; and was found on the skin in 95% of samples (262/276). 3. In general, both the skin and meat samples showed a good initial microbiological quality with total viable counts of less than 3 log cfu/g in meat and approximately 5 log cfu/g on skin. 4. No difference was found between breast and thigh samples during the experiment. 5. Shelf life was limited mainly by the development of mesophilic and psychrotrophic microflora on skin which were found at 7-day storage for the control and MAP1 and 10 days for MAP2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elimination of disease-causing microbes from the food supply is a primary goal and this review deals with the overall techniques available for detection of food-borne pathogens. Now-a-days conventional methods are replaced by advanced methods like Biosensors, Nucleic Acid-based Tests (NAT), and different PCR-based techniques used in molecular biology to identify specific pathogens. Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., and pathogens are detected in contaminated food items that cause always diseases in human in any one or the other way. Identification of food-borne pathogens in a short period of time is still a challenge to the scientific field in general and food technology in particular. The low level of food contamination by major pathogens requires specific sensitive detection platforms and the present area of hot research looking forward to new nanomolecular techniques for nanomaterials, make them suitable for the development of assays with high sensitivity, response time, and portability. With the sound of these, we attempt to highlight a comprehensive overview about food-borne pathogen detection by rapid, sensitive, accurate, and cost affordable in situ analytical methods from conventional methods to recent molecular approaches for advanced food and microbiology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A survey of FDA-approved biologicals focused upon the development of immunotherapies over time to gain insight on the challenges and trends of vaccine development today. Areas covered: A total of 135 different immune-based therapies were broadly divided into passive or active immunotherapies. Whereas just over half of passive immunotherapies targeted infectious diseases, the vast majority of active immunotherapy products (vaccines) were directed against a handful of viral and bacterial pathogens. We also analyze changes in vaccine strategy, including the use of viable antigens and subunit approaches. Expert commentary: An analysis of vaccine innovators revealed an ever-increasing presence of the private sector and a relatively diminishing role for the public sector . Whereas North American companies have contributed to the approval of two-thirds of vaccines, European companies have regained parity in terms of hosting innovators of vaccine research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Increasing consumer desire for high quality ready-to-eat foods makes thermal pasteurization important to both food producers and researchers. To be in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), food companies seek regulatory and scientific guidelines to ensure that their products are safe. Clearly understanding the regulations for chilled or frozen foods is of fundamental importance to the design of thermal pasteurization processes for vegetables that meet food safety requirements. This article provides an overview of the current regulations and guidelines for pasteurization in the U.S. and in Europe for control of bacterial pathogens. Poorly understood viral pathogens, in terms of their survival in thermal treatments, are an increasing concern for both food safety regulators and scientists. New data on heat resistance of viruses in different foods are summarized. Food quality attributes are sensitive to thermal degradation. A review of thermal kinetics of inactivation of quality-related enzymes in vegetables and the effects of thermal pasteurization on vegetable quality is presented. The review also discusses shelf-life of thermally pasteurized vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A severe leaf spot, turning to foliage blight, was observed on leaves of Maranta leuconeura growing in a garden in Brazil (state of Rio de Janeiro) in 2015. A dematiaceous hyphomycete bearing a morphology typical of a helminthosporoid fungi was regularly found in association with diseased tissues. The fungus was isolated and pathogenicity was demonstrated through the completion of Koch's postulates. A morphology and molecular analysis led to the conclusion that the fungus belonged to the genus Bipolaris, which is characterized by having fusiform conidia, externally thickened and truncate hila and a bipolar pattern of germination. Additionally, homology of internal transcribed spacer and GAPDH sequences with sequences of other Bipolaris species, confirmed its generic placement. A phylogenetic study also indicated clearly that the fungus on M. leuconeura is phylogenetically distinct from related species of this genus, leading to the proposal of the new species Bipolaris marantae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do different languages have a translation for the English worddisgustthat labels the same underlying concept? If not, the English word might label a culture-specific concept. Four studies (Ns = 93, 90, 180, 960) compareddisgustto its common translation in Hindi (an Indo-European language) and in Malayalam (a Dravidian language) by examining two components of the concept thought of as a script: causal antecedent and facial expression. The English word was used to refer to reactions to both unclean substances and moral violations; Hindi and Malayalam translations referred mainly to moral violations. Speakers of all three languages associated different facial expressions to unclean substances and moral violations. Words for disgust in the three languages failed a test of translation equivalence (a correlation of .80 or above across emotional facial expressions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The biology of human migration can be observed from the co-evolutionary relationship with infectious diseases. While many pathogens are brief, unpleasant visitors to human bodies, others have the ability to become life-long human passengers. The story of a pathogen’s genetic code may, therefore, provide insight into the history of its human host. The evolution and distribution of disease in Africa is of particular interest, because of the deep history of human evolution in Africa, the presence of a variety of non-human primates, and tropical reservoirs of emerging infectious diseases. Methods:This study explores which pathogens leave traces in the archaeological record, and whether there are realistic prospects that these pathogens can be recovered from sub-Saharan African archaeological contexts. Results:Three stories are then presented of germs on a journey. The first is the story of HIV’s spread on the back of colonialism and the railway networks over the last 150 years. The second involves the spread ofSchistosoma mansoni, a parasite which shares its history with the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the origins of fresh-water fishing. Finally, we discuss the tantalising hints of hominin migration and interaction found in the genome of human herpes simplex virus 2. Conclusions:Evidence from modern African pathogen genomes can provide data on human behaviour and migration in deep time and contribute to the improvement of human quality-of-life and longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

During the last century increasing human trade networks have interacted with other global changes – such as land use and climate change – to accelerate the range expansion of pest species worldwide. In this special issue, we present a series of articles that model the risk of establishment and spread of non-native harmful species, as well as shifts in the distribution of native pest species. We also provide a state-of the art review of the available literature on species distribution models for pests, weeds, and pathogens. Recent advances in modelling approaches have allowed us to significantly improve our abilities to predict changes in species distribution, and these tools have been widely used to enhance biosecurity planning and pest management. We expect that this special issue contributes toward and integration of the scientific knowledge and the development of novel approaches to model pest species distribution, as well as to better understand the factors that influence their expansion in the context of a rapidly changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates are the major bioactive secondary metabolites found in the Brassicaceae family and studied extensively in biosynthetic and application perspectives. Because of their potential applications in the welfare of plants (protection against plant pathogens) and human life (prevention of cancer and other diseases), these compounds attracted much interest in the scientific community. In this review, we presented updates on glucosinolate derivatives in protection against microbial pathogens and endocrine related diseases in human. Further, the mechanism of action of glucosinolate derivatives and the strategies to improve their efficiency through modern approaches were discussed. Finally, the genetic enrichment of their contents in plant systems has also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penaeus monodonis the most economically important penaeid shrimp in the Indo-West Pacific region for both aquaculture and wild capture. This study evaluated the population structure ofP. monodonin Bangladesh and searched for signs of natural selection in immunological genes. WildP. monodonsampled at four locations off Bangladesh were studied using 10 microsatellite markers and 14 single nucleotide polymorphic sites (SNPs), including six unannotated regions and eight immunological genes (seven C-type lectin and oneHLA3), of which variations were associated with tolerance to pathogens and survival in aquaculture. Three genetically distinguishable populations were observed, one in the eastern mangrove forest in the Sundarban–Barguna coast (south Bangladesh), the second in the Sundarban–Middle ground close to the delta of the river Ganges and the third at St Martin’s Island, southeastern Bangladesh.ranged from 0.042 to 0.093, and significant FSTranged from 0.004 to 0.011. A large proportion of individuals caught in Middle ground and at St Martin’s Island showed a genetic origin that was distinct from the other individuals at those sites, possibly from unsampled southern regions in the Bay of Bengal. Variation and the FSTvalues for the SNPs from C-type lectin genes andHLA3did not differ from the other markers studied, indicating no selective effects at these loci in the natural populations. Sustainable management ofP. monodonshould consider the population differentiation described in this study. Further assessment of signs of selection in aquaculture stocks could be useful for successful breeding of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riboflavin or B2, isolated from a wide variety of animals and plant products is an important vitamin commonly found in the diets of various cultures. This vitamin has been generally known to impart antimicrobial properties when exposed to ultra-violet A irradiation. In the current work, we investigated the possibility of preventing or reducing pathogenic infections using both ultra-violet A assisted and stand-alone riboflavin solutions on selected strains of bacteria. The antimicrobial properties of riboflavin were determined by the effective inhibition of the growth of pathogens through the disc diffusion method. Zones of inhibition studies indicated that riboflavin on its own was found to be quite effective and was able to inhibit the pathogens when diffused at a concentration of 50.0 µL. Stand-alone riboflavin solution successfully inhibitedStaphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhi, andPseudomonas aeruginosawith an inhibition range of (18.7 ± 0.6) mm; (17.7 ± 0.6) mm; (17.3 ± 0.6) mm, and (15.7 ± 0.6) mm, respectively. Intermediate zones of inhibition were observed forEscherichia coliandCandida albicanswith a range of (11.7 ± 0.6) mm and (11.7 ± 0.6) mm, respectively.Klebsiella pneumoniaewas the only resistant pathogen at (7.7 ± 0.6) mm for the riboflavin concentration used in this work. These results may indicate the exciting prospects of the applications of riboflavin as a complementary approach toward inactivation of pathogenic infections. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were biologically synthesized using peel extract ofPunica granatumas reducing agent as well as capping agent. On treatment of aqueous solutions of CuSO4·5H2O with peel extract ofP. granatum, stable CuNPs were formed. UV-Visible spectrophotometer analysis confirmed the formation of CuNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, particles size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electron microscopy analysis of CuNPs indicated that they ranged in size from 15 to 20 nm. The biologically synthesized CuNPs demonstrated high antibacterial activity against opportunistic pathogens, that is,Micrococcus luteusMTCC 1809,Pseudomonas aeruginosaMTCC 424,Salmonella entericaMTCC 1253 andEnterobactor aerogenesMTCC 2823in vitro. Nanoparticles synthesized biologically using plant extracts have the potential to serve as possible ecofriendly alternatives to chemical and physical methods for biomedical applications and research.! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteogenomics, the alliance of proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics and bioinformatics, was first proposed for refining genome annotation using experimental data acquired on gene products. With high-throughput analysis of proteins made possible with next-generation tandem mass spectrometers, proteogenomics is greatly improving human genome annotationper se, and is helping to decrypt the numerous gene and protein modifications occurring during development, aging, illness and cancer progression. Further efforts are required to obtain a comprehensive picture of human genes, their products, functions, and drift over time or in reaction to microbiota and pathogen stimuli. This should be performed not only to obtain a general overview of the human population, but also to gain specific information at the individual level. This review focuses on the clinical implications of proteogenomics: novel biological insights into fundamental biology, better characterization of pathogens and parasites, discovery of novel diagnostic approaches for cancer, and personalized medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics is increasingly used in analysis of bacterial pathogens. Simple experimental set-ups based on high accuracy mass spectrometry and powerful biochemical and bioinformatics tools are capable of reliably quantifying levels of several thousand bacterial proteins in a single experiment, reaching the analytical capacity to completely map whole proteomes. Here the authors present the state-of-the-art in bacterial pathogen proteomics and discuss challenges that the field is facing, especially in analysis of low abundant, modified proteins from organisms that are difficult to culture. Constant improvements in speed and sensitivity of mass spectrometers, as well as in bioinformatic and biochemical workflows will soon allow for comprehensive analysis of regulatory mechanisms of pathogenicity and enable routine application of proteomics in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Terminalia chebula, traditionally regarded as universal panacea, is known for its pleiotropic effects, including the effects on oxidative stress, malignant tumor growth, wound healing, and insulin sensitivity in Type 2 diabetes. This study reports the effect of dry fruit extract ofT. chebula(TCE) on Th1/Th2-mediated immune responses in mice. TCE was administered orally for 10 consecutive days, after which mice were immunized with goat RBC (gRBC) or ovalbumin. TCE enhanced the expression of Th1 cytokine, interferon γ, decreased interleukin 4, and increased the number of plaque-forming cells in gRBC-immunized mice. The percentage of CD4+ cells and delayed-type hypersensitivity response also increased in these mice. Treatment is reported to increase lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage phagocyte response, but decrease nitrite production. The bone marrow cellularity and WBC count also increased in the treated mice. None of the group showed any sign of toxicity. The data indicate that TCE elicits a significant dose-dependent Th1 response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy manure has much potential for use as an organic fertilizer in the United States. However, the levels of indicator organisms and pathogens in dairy manure can be ten times higher than stipulated use guidelines by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) even after undergoing anaerobic digestion at mesophilic temperatures. The objective of this study was to identify pasteurization temperatures and treatment durations to reduce fecal coliforms,E. coli, andSalmonellaconcentrations in separated liquid dairy manure (SLDM) of a mesophilic anaerobic digester effluent to levels sufficient for use as an organic fertilizer. Samples of SLDM were pasteurized at 70, 75, and 80°C for durations of 0 to 120 min. Fecal coliforms,E. coli, andSalmonellaconcentrations were assessed via culture-based techniques. All of the tested pasteurization temperatures and duration combinations reduced microbial concentrations to levels below the NOSB guidelines. The fecal coliforms andE. colireductions ranged 2from 0.76 to 1.34 logs, whileSalmonellaconcentrations were reduced by more than 99% at all the pasteurization temperatures and active treatment durations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although platelets are traditionally recognized for their central role in hemostasis, many lines of research clearly demonstrate these rather ubiquitous blood components are potent immune modulators and effectors. Platelets have been shown to directly recognize, sequester and kill pathogens, to activated and recruit leukocytes to sites of infection and inflammation, and to modulate leukocyte behavior, enhancing their ability to phagocytose and kill pathogens and inducing unique effector functions, such as the production of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). This multifaceted response to infection and inflammation is due, in part, to the huge array of soluble mediators and cell surface molecules expressed by platelets. From their earliest origins as primordial hemocytes in invertebrates to their current form as megakaryocyte-derived cytoplasts, platelets have evolved to be one of the key regulators of host intravascular immunity and inflammation. In this review, we present the diverse roles platelets play in immunity and inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases and infection. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of platelet behavior made possible through the use of advanced imaging techniques that allow us to visualize platelets and their interactions, in real-time, within the intact blood vessels of a living host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate has been known for hundreds of years as a healing food. Health benefits associated with the use of pomegranate are well documented. Research studies have shown that various pomegranate extracts possess great preventive potency against a wide range of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans. Various phytochemical compounds are considered as potent agents responsible for antimicrobial efficacy of pomegranate extracts. These compounds include polyphenols, including hydrolyzable tannins (punicalagin and ellagic acid), anthocyanins, and other polyphenols. The present review investigates the antimicrobial potential of pomegranate fruit extracts against various pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study was designed to determine the effect of earthworms and the mechanism behind removal of pathogens during wastewater treatment by vermifiltration. The experimental phase continued for 10 weeks, starting after the initial stabilization phase of one week. Significant organic matter degradation and coliform removal were observed during vermifiltration of domestic wastewater. It was observed that vermifilter (VF) reduced biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand by 84.8% and 73.9%, respectively. Significant log removal was observed for total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), faecal streptococci (FS) andEscherichia coliwith a mean log removal value (K) of 2.92, 2.20, 1.85 and 1.68, respectively. The decay rate constant (k) for indicator organisms (TC, FC and FS) was observed to be high as 8.04, 6.59 and 5.55 m day−1, respectively. The population of total heterotrophic bacteria, total fungi and actinomycetes reduced remarkably by 3.14, 1.29 and 2.13 log units, respectively. Antibacterial activity of the isolated microorganisms from VF against gram-positiveStaphylococcus aureus(ATCC 29213) and gram-negativeE. coli(ATCC 25922) was observed which indicated the existence of a mechanism that may be responsible for pathogen removal during wastewater treatment. This demonstrated the production of antibacterial substance, from the microorganisms associated with earthworms, that causes inhibition of other microbes, specifying the effect of earthworms for pathogen removal. Overall, the present study contributes to the understanding of mechanism for pathogen removal during vermifiltration through antibacterial action of microflora. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We investigated microbiota in surface and subsurface soil from a site, above steam-treated deep sub-soil originally contaminated with chlorinated solvents. During the steam treatment, the surface soil reached temperatures c. 30°C higher than the temperature in untreated soil; whereas the subsurface soil, at a depth of about 40 cm, reached a temperature c. 45°C higher than untreated soil. The soil was examined prior to, during, and 6, 12, 14, 20 and 31 months after treatment. Numbers of bacteria cultivable at 42°C increased significantly in subsurface soil. Similarly, substrate utilization in ECOLOG plates, incubated at 42°C, increased from less than 10% of available carbon sources in the untreated soil to more than 60% of the available carbon sources in the steam-treated soil.Aspergillus fumigatuswas quantified as an example of heat-tolerant fungi normally found in compost. These organisms are rarely detected in Danish soils but high numbers (c. 105hyphal forming unitsg−1) occurred in the treated soil up to 31 months after the steam-treatment. We conclude that steam-treatment leads to changes of the microbial communities. Some changes are temporary while others can last for years after termination of the steam-treatment; reflecting different strategies that soil microorganisms follow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous water quality risk assessment of source water supply reservoirs in subtropical southeast Queensland (Australia) evaluated little black cormorants (Phalocrocorax sulcirostris) roosting on intake infrastructure as potentially posing an extreme risk of microbial contamination through direct deposition of fecal matter to the aquatic environment. To evaluate this risk rating, we assessed populations of little black cormorants occupying 3 intake structures across 2 reservoirs, enumeratedEscherichia coli(E. coli) levels collected from fecal matter, and estimated a dailyE. coliload to the reservoir for each population. Concurrently, we supplemented the existing routine monthly water quality monitoring program with targeted water sampling to measureE. coliconcentrations in water at the 3 water intake points and at 2 sites without extant cormorant populations. Up to 3.9 × 1014E. coliorganisms were estimated to be produced per day by the largest population surveyed. Cormorants were present at intake sites and absent from reference sites; however, concentrations ofE. coliwere not significantly higher in water at intake sites compared with reference sites (p = 0.793 vs. p = 0.1069, respectively), and there was no significant relationship (p = 0.9671) between cormorant numbers and water column concentrations ofE. coli. The inability to quantify significant differences in microbial concentrations among sites suggests a more intensive sampling regime is required to clarify the relative contribution of contamination sources. Populations of roosting cormorants in our study reservoirs are unlikely to pose an extreme risk to source water quality when compared to other catchment-based inputs that dominate microbial pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]