Challenges in microbiological identification of aerobic bacteria isolated from the skin of reptiles

Abstract

Introduction Bacterial pathogens are often involved in dermatitis in reptiles. Exact identification of reptilespecific but otherwise uncommon bacterial species may be challenging. However, identification is crucial to evaluate the importance of the detected bacterial species. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the number of aerobic bacterial isolates cultured from skin-derived samples of reptiles which were not reliably identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and to determine their identity. Material and methods Routine bacterial diagnostics were performed on 235 skin samples, and 417 bacterial isolates were analysed by MALDI-TOF MS. The isolates were grouped into categories based on their first score: category I (� 2.00), category II (� 1.70 and < 2.00), and category III (< 1.70). Isolates from category III were further investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the following criteria were applied: query cover 100%, e-value rounded to 0.0 and sequence identity (%) > 98.00% for genus identification, and > 99.00% for species identification. Results The majority of bacterial isolates were in category I (85.1%) or category II (8.4%). In category III (6.5%) results achieved at first by MALDI-TOF MS corresponded to the results of the molecular analysis in 8.0% of isolates at the species level and in 24.0% at the genus level. Bacterial isolates classified as category III were heterogenic in genus (e.g. Chryseobacterium, Devriesea, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Uruburuella), and some have only been described in reptiles so far.

Trypanosoma cruzi DTU II coinfection with bacteria producing prolonged cutaneous lesion in a healthy young male

“…Thus, we considered that possible factors for this rare clinical presentation could be the type of T. cruzi strain belonging to the TcII group, as well as the tissue presence of other microbes. In addition, B. velezensis, previously identified as plant-associated bacillus, has been reported in reptile cutaneous lesions [10][11][12] . According to our knowledge, this is the first time that B. velezensis has been related to human skin grazes.…”

Activity of bacteria isolated from bats against Pseudogymnoascus destructans in China

“…Coincidentally, the three bacterial isolates identified in this work were from the genus Pseudomonas . It is well‐known that Pseudomonas is widely distributed in the environment and has been also found on mammals, amphibians, reptiles and plants (Gholami et al ., 2017 ; Brunetti et al ., 2019 ; Brockmann et al ., 2020 ; Fernandez et al ., 2020 ). Pseudomonas bacteria have been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of several relevant fungal diseases, including chytridiomycosis and white‐nose syndrome in North America.…”

“…Brunetti et al, 2019;Brockmann et al, 2020; Fernandez SEM observation of mycelial changes of P. destructans by treatment with P. yamanorum GZD 14026. A-C. Control (without P. yamanorum GZD 14026), P. destructans mycelium grows normally over 14 days (13°C).…”

Comparative Genomics of Exiguobacterium Reveals What Makes a Cosmopolitan Bacterium

“…16S rRNA marker gene surveys have uncovered Exiguobacterium spp. surviving in even more diverse habitats, including indoor air ( 59 ), skin ( 60 ), fish gut ( 61 ), and a cold desert ( 62 ). These results suggest that members of the genus Exiguobacterium are ubiquitous.…”