title: Enterococcus species diversity in fecal samples of wild marine species as determined by real-time PCR.
abstract: Analyses using culture-independent molecular techniques have improved our understanding of microbial composition. The aim of this work was to identify and quantify enterococci in fecal samples of wild marine species using real-time quantitative PCR. Seven Enterococcus species were examined in fecal DNA of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis), Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis), green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), snowy-crowned tern (Sterna trudeaui), white-backed stilt (Himantopus melanurus), white-chinned petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis), red knot (Calidris canutus), and black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris). All Enterococcus species evaluated were detected in all fecal samples of wild marine species, with a concentration ranging between 106and 1012copies/ng of total DNA. Differences in the enterococci distribution were observed. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus mundtii were most abundant in marine mammals. Enterococcus faecalis was frequent in green turtle, Magellanic penguin, snowy-crowned tern, red knot, and black-browed albatross. Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus gallinarum showed elevated occurrence in white-backed stilt, and Enterococcus faecium in white-chinned petrel. This study showed highest diversity of enterococci in feces of wild marine species than currently available data, and reinforced the use of culture-independent analysis to help us to enhance our understanding of enterococci in gastrointestinal tracts of wild marine species.
authors.affiliation: a Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite, 500, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Weber
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.affiliation: b Center for Coastal Studies, Limnology and Marine, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Tramandaí, 976, CEP 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blaese Amorim
authors.affiliation: b Center for Coastal Studies, Limnology and Marine, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Tramandaí, 976, CEP 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maurício
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.affiliation: c Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Gomes Carneiro, 1 - Centro, CEP 96010-610, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tiane Martin
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: de Moura
authors.affiliation: a Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite, 500, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Claudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: d Gram-positive Coccus Laboratory, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Sarmento Leite, 245, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Alves
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: d'Azevedo
authors.affiliation: e Food Science Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500 - Campus do Vale - Prédio 443.212, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jeverson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frazzon
authors.affiliation: a Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite, 500, CEP 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula Guedes
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Frazzon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
keywords: ADN fécal; PCR en temps réel; enterococci; entérocoques; espèces marines sauvages; fecal DNA; real-time PCR; wild marine species