Hitchhiking proves to be dangerous.

By Maria G Gallegos


Bacteria able to hitchhike a ride on a protozoan was just too interesting an article to pass by.  Listeria monocytogenes and different bacterial strains were microscopically studied and some were observed forming a backpack on the surface of Acanthamoeba.  Results demonstrated that having a flagella alone is not sufficient they must have motility in order to accumulate on protozoan surface.  
 

Figure from Doyscher et al. 2013 demonstrating backpacking mode of green fluorescent protein tagged L. monocytogenes on various Acanthamoeba cell surface.

However, in a few hours they are engulfed and dead.  This research clearly shows the likelihood of being afflicted with both pathogens is unlikely due to protozoan slaying its free rider. 

Original Article: Doyscher D, Fieseler L, Dons L, Loessner M, and Schuppler M. (2013). Acanthamoeba feature a unique backpacking strategy to trap and feed on Listeria monocytogenes and other motile bacteria Environ Microbio 15:433–446.

Another Reason to Abstain from the Consumption of Soda Pop: The Vice of the Soda Fountain Machine

by Lillian Lopez

 

For some of us, soda’s bad reputation was known even before our first sip of the awfully carbonated, syrup drenched beverage.  Of course, what type of humans would we be if we didn’t insist on consuming the soda pop anyway?  Lucky for me, I’ve found another reason to help me keep away from the soft drink, specifically, when it’s pouring out of a soda pop machine.  

Shown below is standard tubing that soda travels through before reaching its dispenser.   This tubing is also assumed to be a favorable environment for biofilm formation by opportunistic pathogens such as E. coli and Coliform .  A study of microbial counts in soda taken from numerous soda fountain machines reflects this assumption. Moreover, the study showed no correlation between “disinfection” of these machines and reduction in microbes.  Thus, with no soda fountain machine cleaning regulations, the most consumers can do is deal with gastrointestinal distress or refuse the fizzy sugar water all together.  

 Tip:  If the soda is flat or tastes somewhat strange it is likely that the machine is harboring microbes. 



Soda Fountain Machine Tubing
Source:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lancer-2500-8-Head-Soda-Fountain-Beverage-Dispenser-Machine-w-Rack-Carbonator-/221067843593?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3378ab9809

Original Article:  Godard RD, Sharma P, Wagner CJ, Wilson CM, Fleming-Haddock A, Beach RL.  (2013).  Repeated detection of microbes in beverages dispensed from soda fountain machines and the effect of flushing on microbial density. 163 (13) 218–222.

Antimicrobial overuse in aquaculture

by Monica Mendez

Antibiotic resistance in microbes might be increasingly problematic in fish farms.....

Figure from Cabello et al. 2013 showing an increase in antibiotic use (quinolones and fluoroquinolones) for human (white and hatched bars) and veterinary (black and grey bars) medicine over seven years in Chile.

Original Aricle: Cabello FC, Godfry HP, Tomova A, Ivanova L, Dolz H, Millanao A, Buschmann AH. (2013). Antimicrobial use in aquaculture re-examined: its relevance to antimicrobial resistance and to animal and human health. Environ Microbiol 15:1917-1942.