Publications

4468

Specific scopeThis Standard describes a diagnostic protocol for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter americanus’ and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’.1This Standard should be used in conjunction with PM 7/76 (5) Use of EPPO diagnostic protocols.Specific approval and amendmentFirst approved in 2014–09. Revised in 2021–04.

Summary We report on the genomic characterization of three novel classes in the phylum Desulfobacterota. One class (proposed name Candidatus ‘Anaeroferrophillalia’) was characterized by heterotrophic growth capacity, either fermentatively or utilizing polysulfide, tetrathionate or thiosulfate as electron acceptors. In the absence of organic carbon sources, autotrophic growth via the Wood–Ljungdahl (WL) pathway and using hydrogen or Fe(II) as an electron donor is also inferred for members of the ‘Anaeroferrophillalia’. The second class (proposed name Candidatus ‘Anaeropigmentia’) was characterized by its capacity for growth at low oxygen concentration, and the capacity to synthesize the methyl/alkyl carrier CoM, an ability that is prevalent in the archaeal but rare in the bacterial domain. Pigmentation is inferred from the capacity for carotenoid (lycopene) production. The third class (proposed name Candidatus ‘Zymogenia’) was characterized by fermentative heterotrophic growth capacity, broad substrate range and the adaptation of some of its members to hypersaline habitats. Analysis of the distribution pattern of all three classes showed their occurrence as rare community members in multiple habitats, with preferences for anaerobic terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments over oxygenated (e.g. pelagic ocean and agricultural land) settings. Special preference for some members of the class Candidatus ‘Zymogenia’ for hypersaline environments such as hypersaline microbial mats and lagoons was observed.

Summary Candidatus Dormibacterota is an uncultured bacterial phylum found predominantly in soil that is present in high abundances within cold desert soils. Here, we interrogate nine metagenome‐assembled genomes ( MAGs ), including six new MAGs derived from soil metagenomes obtained from two eastern Antarctic sites. Phylogenomic and taxonomic analyses revealed these MAGs represent four genera and five species, representing two order‐level clades within Ca . Dormibacterota. Metabolic reconstructions of these MAGs revealed the potential for aerobic metabolism, and versatile adaptations enabling persistence in the ‘extreme’ Antarctic environment. Primary amongst these adaptations were abilities to scavenge atmospheric H 2 and CO as energy sources, as well as using the energy derived from H 2 oxidation to fix atmospheric CO 2 via the Calvin–Bassham–Benson cycle, using a RuBisCO type IE . We propose that these allow Ca . Dormibacterota to persist using H 2 oxidation and grow using atmospheric chemosynthesis in terrestrial Antarctica. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed Ca . Dormibacterota to be coccoid cells, 0.3–1.4 μm in diameter, with some cells exhibiting the potential for a symbiotic or syntrophic lifestyle.

AbstractThe imperfect denitrifier, Candidatus (Ca.) Desulfobacillus denitrificans, which lacks nitric oxide (NO) reductase, frequently appears in anammox bioreactors depending on the operating conditions. We used genomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to evaluate the metabolic potential of Ca. D. denitrificans and deduce its functional relationships to anammox bacteria (i.e., Ca. Brocadia pituitae). Although Ca. D. denitrificans is hypothesized to supply NO to Ca. B. pituitae as a byproduct of imperfect denitrification, this microbe also possesses hydroxylamine oxidoreductase, which catalyzes the oxidation of hydroxylamine to NO and potentially the reverse reaction. Ca. D. denitrificans can use a range of electron donors for denitrification, including aromatic compounds, glucose, sulfur compounds, and hydrogen, but metatranscriptomic analysis suggested that the major electron donors are aromatic compounds, which inhibit anammox activity. The interrelationship between Ca. D. denitirificans and Ca. B. pituitae via the metabolism of aromatic compounds may govern the population balance of both species. Ca. D. denitrificans also has the potential to fix CO2 via an irregular Calvin cycle and couple denitrification to the oxidation of hydrogen and sulfur compounds under chemolithoautotrophic conditions. This metabolic versatility, which suggests a mixotrophic lifestyle, would facilitate the growth of Ca. D. denitrificans in the anammox bioreactor.

The aim of this study was to measure the serum proinflammatory (IL-12, GM-CSF & IFN-γ) to anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-4) cytokine ratio, oxidant (MDA) level and antioxidant enzyme (SOD; GPx) activities after blood parasite infections. The blood and serum samples were obtained from 130 cattle and screened for identity of the infecting blood parasites by conventional PCR. The following blood parasite species were detected: Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos (70/130); Theileria orientalis (65/130); Theileria sinensis (32/130); Anaplasma marginale (49/130); Anaplasma platys (7/130); and Trypanosoma evansi (4/130). The GM-CSF/IL-10 ratio showed significantly higher values in all the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle groups except for symptomatic A. platys infected cattle groups. Anti-inflammatory cytokine immune responses were notable findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle infected with C. M. haemobos and T. orientalis characterized by low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 (p < 0.05). Therefore, high serum GM-CSF:IL:10 in the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle, low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 ratios in asymptomatic cattle, high MDA level, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities could be useful predictive tools for outcome of natural blood parasite infections in cattle.