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Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2024Fruit bodies (sporocarps) of wild mushrooms growing in natural environments play a substantial role in the preservation of microbial communities, for example, clinical...
Fruit bodies (sporocarps) of wild mushrooms growing in natural environments play a substantial role in the preservation of microbial communities, for example, clinical and food-poisoning bacteria. However, the role of wild mushrooms as natural reservoirs of plant pathogenic bacteria remains almost entirely unknown. Furthermore, bacterial transmission from a mushroom species to agricultural plants has rarely been recorded in the literature. In September 2021, a creamy-white Gram-negative bacterial strain was isolated from the sporocarp of (slippery jack) growing in Bermuda grass () lawn in Southern Iran. A similar strain was isolated from the same fungus in the same area in September 2022. Both strains were identified as based on phenotypic features as well as phylogeny of 16S rRNA and three housekeeping genes. The strains were not only pathogenic on white button mushrooms () but also induced hypersensitive reaction (HR) on tobacco and common bean leaves and caused soft rot on a set of diverse plant species, that is, chili pepper, common bean pod, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, gladiolus, narcissus, onion, potato, spring onion, okra, kohlrabi, mango, and watermelon. Isolation of plant pathogenic strains from sporocarp of in two consecutive years in the same area could be indicative of the role of this fungus in the preservation of the bacterium in the natural environment. associated with naturally growing could potentially invade neighboring agricultural crops, for example, vegetables and ornamentals. The potential role of wild mushrooms as natural reservoirs of phytopathogenic bacteria is further discussed.IMPORTANCEThe bacterial genus contains biologically heterogeneous strains that can be isolated from diverse habitats, that is, soil, water, diseased plant material, and clinical specimens. In this study, two Gram-negative pectinolytic bacterial strains were isolated from the sporocarps of in September 2021 and 2022. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that both strains belonged to the complex species , while the pathovar status of the strains remained undetermined. Biological investigations accomplished with pathogenicity and host range assays showed that strains isolated from in two consecutive years were pathogenic on a set of diverse plant species ranging from ornamentals to both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous vegetables. Thus, could be considered an infectious pathogen capable of being transmitted from wild mushrooms to annual crops. Our results raise a hypothesis that wild mushrooms could be considered as potential reservoirs for phytopathogenic .
Topics: Burkholderia gladioli; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Agaricus; Burkholderia; Vegetables; Basidiomycota
PubMed: 38380912
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03395-23 -
Food Science & Nutrition Feb 2024This study was designed to investigate the presence of potential human pathogenic bacteria, bacterial load, and their incidence in ready-to-eat leafy greens viz.,...
This study was designed to investigate the presence of potential human pathogenic bacteria, bacterial load, and their incidence in ready-to-eat leafy greens viz., coriander, lettuce, and mint leaves sold at diverse marketplaces in Dhaka City. Multiple identification methods including cultural, morphological, biochemical, and molecular analysis were employed in the Plant Pathology Laboratory of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University to identify the human pathogenic bacteria. In molecular analysis, the DNA samples were put through PCR using bacterial primer 27F: AGAGTTTGATCMTGGCTGAG and universal primer 1942R: CGGTTACCTTGTTACGACTT. Initially, nine different bacterial genera viz. , and were detected, and their incidence was 93%, 67%, 44%, 30%, 26%, 26%, 11%, 7%, and 7% respectively. A total of twelve bacteria have been identified from these genera out of which 7 bacteria viz. , , and spp., were reported as human pathogenic bacteria in several pieces of literature. The highest colony-forming units per gram were shown in mint (4.27 ± 2.35 × 10) followed by lettuce (2.87 ± 0.76 × 10) and coriander (2.43 ± 1.32 × 10). Considering marketplaces, the highest colony-forming units per gram were observed in the samples of street markets (5.0 ± 1.72 × 10) and the lowest was in supermarkets (1.87 ± 0.46 × 10) followed by local markets (2.7 ± 0.91 × 10). All the leafy green samples crossed the acceptable level of bacterial load (10 CFU/g). The findings of the study highlight the urgency for improved food safety protocols in their production and distribution in Dhaka city.
PubMed: 38370046
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3825 -
Frontiers in Toxicology 2024Bog bilberry ( L.) is a wild-growing berry native to all circumboreal regions. There is however a significant discrepancy in the uses of bog bilberry fruits around the... (Review)
Review
Bog bilberry ( L.) is a wild-growing berry native to all circumboreal regions. There is however a significant discrepancy in the uses of bog bilberry fruits around the world. There exists a strong prejudice against the use of these berries in many European countries as well as a few incidences of poisoning reported between 1906 and 1944. In Asia and North America, this fear is completely absent from the local knowledge and the bog bilberry is valued as an excellent food and medicinal plant. There has been a lack of research on the topic in the last 50 years and thus the presumed toxicity remains unproven. This review aims to gather the conflicting information from all regions where bog bilberry grows and present them in a critical way to elucidate the possible explanations for the discrepancies. There are several possible explanations for the alleged toxicity of the bog bilberry, including a fungal infection of the fruits, individual intolerance or accidental poisoning by a different plant species; the local names meaning "drunk, inebriating, vomit-inducing berry" may be related to the alcoholic drinks made from them. This review highlights the gap in knowledge and serves as a theoretical framework for future research.
PubMed: 38357417
DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1358840 -
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Feb 2024Ricin, a category-B agent for bioterrorism, and Shiga toxins (Stxs), which cause food poisoning bind to the ribosomal P-stalk to depurinate the sarcin/ricin loop. No...
Ricin, a category-B agent for bioterrorism, and Shiga toxins (Stxs), which cause food poisoning bind to the ribosomal P-stalk to depurinate the sarcin/ricin loop. No effective therapy exists for ricin or Stx intoxication. Ribosome binding sites of the toxins have not been targeted by small molecules. We previously identified CC10501, which inhibits toxin activity by binding the P-stalk pocket of ricin toxin A subunit (RTA) remote from the catalytic site. Here, we developed a fluorescence polarization assay and identified a new class of compounds, which bind P-stalk pocket of RTA with higher affinity and inhibit catalytic activity with submicromolar potency. A lead compound, RU-NT-206, bound P-stalk pocket of RTA with similar affinity as a five-fold larger P-stalk peptide and protected cells against ricin and Stx2 holotoxins for the first time. These results validate the P-stalk binding site of RTA as a critical target for allosteric inhibition of the active site.
Topics: Binding Sites; Peptides; Protein Binding; Ribosomes; Ricin
PubMed: 38340640
DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117614 -
Heliyon Feb 2024The Old World Vultures (OWV), constituting 16 species primarily in Africa, Europe and Asia, are currently being driven to extinction mostly by anthropogenic activities,...
The Old World Vultures (OWV), constituting 16 species primarily in Africa, Europe and Asia, are currently being driven to extinction mostly by anthropogenic activities, especially poisoning. The vulture losses from poisoning caused by human-related activities are at a single mortality event-level and occur in complex social-ecological systems. There has been a growing body of knowledge on wildlife poisoning over the years. However, no review has been done to consolidate vulture poisoning studies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a social lens of conservation planning. Here we present a review of the vulture poisoning research by re-contextualizing the problem of vulture poisoning across SSA. We employed stepwise Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to search for literature on vulture poisoning. The search yielded 211 studies which were trimmed to 55 after applying sets of eligibility criteria. Literature shows that efforts aimed at successful vulture conservation planning will require an understanding of the relational aspects of stakeholder social capital (assets) that are critical to the implementation of species recovery strategies. Strengthening relational social capital through multi-scale stakeholder evidence-based awareness creation and participation is necessary for addressing the African Vulture Crisis (AVC). Applying stakeholder social capital approaches to different vulture conservation scenarios at local, regional and international scales can enhance successful implementation of conservation strategies for the persistence of vultures in complex socio-ecological systems in African landscapes. Existing literature also showed the importance of stakeholder social capital as a countermeasure against vulture losses.
PubMed: 38333820
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25126 -
International Journal of Emergency... Feb 2024Monkshood, a toxic plant containing a potent cardio- and neurotoxin called aconitine, can lead to a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures,...
BACKGROUND
Monkshood, a toxic plant containing a potent cardio- and neurotoxin called aconitine, can lead to a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. Mortality associated with this intoxication are due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias which are difficult to treat and often refractory in nature.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a case of a 17-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department after intentionally ingesting a monkshood plant and developed atrioventricular dissociation and frequent ventricular ectopy. The patient was successfully treated with activated charcoal, supportive care, and cardiac monitoring.
CONCLUSION
This case highlights the importance of early recognition of aconitine poisoning and the need for prompt supportive care, cardiac rhythm monitoring, and preemptive antiarrhythmic treatment planning.
PubMed: 38331724
DOI: 10.1186/s12245-024-00588-3 -
The Science of the Total Environment Mar 2024The study deals with the environmental residues of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in Slovenia to evaluate the toxicological risk of secondary poisoning of red foxes...
The study deals with the environmental residues of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in Slovenia to evaluate the toxicological risk of secondary poisoning of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as representatives of non-target wildlife, and in relation to the investigated use patterns of ARs and specific local parameters in Slovenia. From 2019 to 2022, 148 liver tissue samples of adult red foxes were collected from almost all state geographical regions. The samples were extracted with methanol/water (2:1, v/v), cleaned-up using a solid supported liquid-liquid extraction, and measured by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) with reporting limits of 0.5 to 5.0 ng/g. Residues of at least one rodenticide were detected in 77.7 % of the samples. The second generation ARs of bromadiolone, brodifacoum and difenacoum were the most frequently found, appearing in 75.0, 51.4, and 18.9 % of the samples, respectively. Concentrations of pooled ARs ranged from 1.5 to 2866.5 ng/g with mean and median values of 601.4 and 350.2 ng/g, respectively. We determined bromadiolone and brodifacoum at concentrations of ≥800 ng/g in 10.8 and 10.1 % of the samples, and 1.4 and 0.7 % of the samples contained residues >2000 ng/g, respectively. These concentrations are much higher than those found in comparable studies in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Residues of ARs were detected in all monitored statistical regions of Slovenia, with higher concentrations in the eastern parts of the country. First generation ARs were found in only 9.5 % of samples, and residues were below 10 ng/g with one exception (coumatetralyl with 55 ng/g). The results of the study indicate a serious toxicological risk for red foxes in Slovenia as part of the Western Balkans, and will contribute to the growing body of knowledge about the protection of European ecosystems, as wildlife is not limited by national borders.
Topics: Animals; Anticoagulants; Rodenticides; Foxes; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Slovenia; Ecosystem; Liver; Animals, Wild; Balkan Peninsula
PubMed: 38307261
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170400 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Al (Aluminum) poisoning is a significant limitation to crop yield in acid soil. However, the physiological process involved in the peanut root response to Al poisoning...
Al (Aluminum) poisoning is a significant limitation to crop yield in acid soil. However, the physiological process involved in the peanut root response to Al poisoning has not been clarified yet and requires further research. In order to investigate the influence of Al toxicity stress on peanut roots, this study employed various methods, including root phenotype analysis, scanning of the root, measuring the physical response indices of the root, measurement of the hormone level in the root, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). This research aimed to explore the physiological mechanism underlying the reaction of peanut roots to Al toxicity. The findings revealed that Al poisoning inhibits the development of peanut roots, resulting in reduced biomass, length, surface area, and volume. Al also significantly affects antioxidant oxidase activity and proline and malondialdehyde contents in peanut roots. Furthermore, Al toxicity led to increased accumulations of Al and Fe in peanut roots, while the contents of zinc (Zn), cuprum (Cu), manganese (Mn), kalium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) decreased. The hormone content and related gene expression in peanut roots also exhibited significant changes. High concentrations of Al trigger cellular defense mechanisms, resulting in differentially expressed antioxidase genes and enhanced activity of antioxidases to eliminate excessive ROS (reactive oxygen species). Additionally, the differential expression of hormone-related genes in a high-Al environment affects plant hormones, ultimately leading to various negative effects, for example, decreased biomass of roots and hindered root development. The purpose of this study was to explore the physiological response mechanism of peanut roots subjected to aluminum toxicity stress, and the findings of this research will provide a basis for cultivating Al-resistant peanut varieties.
PubMed: 38276782
DOI: 10.3390/plants13020325 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jan 2024Birds are useful as bioindicators of metal pollution, but the variety of species and tissue distribution may influence the study of heavy metal burdens in birds. The...
Birds are useful as bioindicators of metal pollution, but the variety of species and tissue distribution may influence the study of heavy metal burdens in birds. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of heavy metals in wild birds' carcasses to acquire information on species differences and the tissue distribution of metals in wild birds in Thailand. Species differences in metal buildup were observed in the livers and kidneys, but not in the feathers. A significantly higher accumulation of Cd was found in the livers and kidneys of the granivorous birds compared to those in the water birds. In all the groups of birds, the Pb level in the livers (>15 ppm) and feathers (>4 ppm) exceeded the threshold limits, causing potential lead poisoning and disturbing the reproductive success. The Cd accumulation in the kidneys was above 2-8 ppm, indicating increased environmental exposure to Cd in these birds. The Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Fe concentrations in the livers could be estimated using the kidneys, while the Pb level in the liver may be predicted using feathers. Furthermore, water birds' feathers may be potentially appropriate bioindicators for long-term exposure. Research on the origin of metal contamination is needed to reduce the threat of heavy metals to the health of both birds and other wildlife species.
PubMed: 38254477
DOI: 10.3390/ani14020308 -
Toxins Jan 2024Feed-, food-, water- and plant-related toxins are a major threat for animal and human health worldwide [...].
Feed-, food-, water- and plant-related toxins are a major threat for animal and human health worldwide [...].
Topics: Animals; Humans; Animals, Domestic; Food; Toxins, Biological; Water
PubMed: 38251255
DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010039