Analyze Diet
Applied and environmental microbiology1981; 41(1); 164-168; doi: 10.1128/aem.41.1.164-168.1981

Distribution of ribonucleic acid coliphages in animals.

Abstract: To determine the distribution pattern of ribonucleic acid (RNA) coliphages (classified by serological groups I through IV) in animal sources, we isolated RNA phages from (i) feces samples from domestic animals (cows, pigs, horses, and fowls), some other animals in a zoological garden, and humans, (ii) the gastrointestinal contents of cows and pigs, and (iii) sewage samples from treatment plants in slaughter houses. These samples were then analyzed serologically. The concentration of RNA phages in the first and second kinds of material was fairly low (10 to 10(3) plaque-forming units per original phage sample), whereas that in the third kind of material was fairly high (10(3) to 10(5) plaque-forming units per original phage sample). Concerning the group types of the RNA phages in the first and second kinds of material, human feces contained RNA phages of groups II and III almost equally, the gastrointestinal contents of pigs included those of groups I and II equally, and the feces or gastrointestinal contents of other mammals other than humans and pigs had those of group I exclusively. In the third type of material we found mostly group I phages with a minor fraction of group II phages. Thus, the prominent features of the distribution pattern of RNA phages are the predominance of groups III and II in humans and the predominance of group I in animals.
Publication Date: 1981-01-01 PubMed ID: 7224619PubMed Central: PMC243656DOI: 10.1128/aem.41.1.164-168.1981Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates how Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) coliphages distribute in animals, with some of these phages being found in fecal matter and gastrointestinal contents. The researchers found that while the concentration of these phages was relatively low in samples from animals and their digestive systems, it was quite high in sewage samples. The types of RNA phages present in different sample types also varied, with some groups being more prominent in humans compared to animals.

Sampling and Analysis Process

  • The study involved the collection of samples from diverse animal sources with the aim of understanding the distribution of RNA coliphages, which were classified under serological groups ranging from I to IV. These samples comprised fecal matter from domestic and zoo animals, humans, and gastrointestinal contents from livestock.
  • Additionally, sewage samples originating from slaughterhouses treatment plants were collected.
  • The researchers then undertook a serological analysis of the collected samples. The concentration of RNA phages among these samples was varying, with fecal matter and gut content samples recording low readings (10 to 10(3) plaque-forming units), while sewage samples had a significantly higher concentration (10(3) to 10(5) plaque-forming units).

Results and Observations

  • Upon analyzing group types of RNA phages in the first and second sample categories, a notable number of RNA phages belonging to Group II and III were discovered in human feces. This contrasted the findings from pigs’ gastrointestinal contents, which were found to have an equal number of Groups I and II phages.
  • Interestingly, feces or gut content samples from mammals other than humans and pigs exclusively contained Group I phages.
  • The composition of RNA phages found in the sewage samples varied from the previous categories, predominantly containing Group I phages and a smaller fraction of Group II phages.

Key Findings

  • Following the sampling and analysis, the researchers highlighted certain unique characteristics of the distribution pattern of RNA phages. Notably, Group I phages were predominant in animals, while Group II and III were predominant in human samples.
  • These findings could have implications on the understanding of the interaction between these microorganisms and their hosts, and potentially offer insights on disease transmission and how such diseases could be prevented or treated.

Cite This Article

APA
Osawa S, Furuse K, Watanabe I. (1981). Distribution of ribonucleic acid coliphages in animals. Appl Environ Microbiol, 41(1), 164-168. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.41.1.164-168.1981

Publication

ISSN: 0099-2240
NlmUniqueID: 7605801
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 1
Pages: 164-168

Researcher Affiliations

Osawa, S
    Furuse, K
      Watanabe, I

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Animals, Domestic / microbiology
        • Animals, Zoo / microbiology
        • Cattle / microbiology
        • Coliphages / isolation & purification
        • Digestive System / microbiology
        • Feces / microbiology
        • Horses / microbiology
        • Humans
        • Poultry / microbiology
        • RNA Phages / isolation & purification
        • Swine / microbiology

        References

        This article includes 11 references
        1. Overby LR, Barlow GH, Doi RH, Jacob M, Spiegelman S. Comparison of two serologically distinct ribonucleic acid bacteriophages. I. Properties of the viral particles.. J Bacteriol 1966 Jan;91(1):442-8.
          pubmed: 5903109doi: 10.1128/jb.91.1.442-448.1966google scholar: lookup
        2. Sakurai T, Miyake T, Shiba T, Watanabe I. Isolation of a possible fourth group of RNA phage.. Jpn J Microbiol 1968 Dec;12(4):544-6.
        3. Miyake T, Shiba T, Sakurai T, Watanabe I. Isolation and properties of two new RNA phates SP and FI.. Jpn J Microbiol 1969 Dec;13(4):375-82.
        4. Dhillon TS, Chan YS, Sun SM, Chau WS. Distribution of coliphages in Hong Kong sewage.. Appl Microbiol 1970 Aug;20(2):187-91.
          pubmed: 4921058doi: 10.1128/am.20.2.187-191.1970google scholar: lookup
        5. Dhillon EK, Dhillon TS. Synthesis of indicator strains and density of ribonucleic acid-containing coliphages in sewage.. Appl Microbiol 1974 Apr;27(4):640-7.
          pubmed: 4596747doi: 10.1128/am.27.4.640-647.1974google scholar: lookup
        6. Dhillon TS, Dhillon EK, Chau HC, Li WK, Tsang AH. Studies on bacteriophage distribution: virulent and temperate bacteriophage content of mammalian feces.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1976 Jul;32(1):68-74.
          pubmed: 987749doi: 10.1128/aem.32.1.68-74.1976google scholar: lookup
        7. Ando A, Furuse K, Miyake T, Shiba T, Watanabe I. Three complementation subgroups in group IV RNA phago SP.. Virology 1976 Oct 1;74(1):64-72.
          pubmed: 982826doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(76)90128-8google scholar: lookup
        8. Furuse K, Sakurai T, Hirashima A, Katsuki M, Ando A, Watanabe I. Distribution of ribonucleic acid coliphages in south and east Asia.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1978 Jun;35(6):995-1002.
          pubmed: 677886doi: 10.1128/aem.35.6.995-1002.1978google scholar: lookup
        9. Furuse K, Hirashima A, Harigai H, Ando A, Watanabe K, Kurosawa K, Inokuchi Y, Watanabe I. Grouping of RNA coliphages based on analysis of the sizes of their RNAs and proteins.. Virology 1979 Sep;97(2):328-41.
          pubmed: 473599doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(79)90344-1google scholar: lookup
        10. Ando A, Furuse K, Watanabe I. Propagation of ribonucleic acid coliphages in gnotobiotic mice.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1979 Jun;37(6):1157-65.
          pubmed: 384907doi: 10.1128/aem.37.6.1157-1165.1979google scholar: lookup
        11. Furuse K, Ando A, Osawa S, Watanabe I. Continuous survey of the distribution of RNA coliphages in Japan.. Microbiol Immunol 1979;23(9):867-75.

        Citations

        This article has been cited 27 times.
        1. Lee J, Park S, Lee C, Cho K, Jeong YS, Kim YM, Park KS, Choi JD, Sin Y, Ko G. Male-Specific and Somatic Coliphage Profiles from Major Aquaculture Areas in Republic of Korea.. Food Environ Virol 2020 Sep;12(3):240-249.
          doi: 10.1007/s12560-020-09438-wpubmed: 32666472google scholar: lookup
        2. Chamakura KR, Sham LT, Davis RM, Min L, Cho H, Ruiz N, Bernhardt TG, Young R. A viral protein antibiotic inhibits lipid II flippase activity.. Nat Microbiol 2017 Nov;2(11):1480-1484.
          doi: 10.1038/s41564-017-0023-4pubmed: 28894177google scholar: lookup
        3. Carding SR, Davis N, Hoyles L. Review article: the human intestinal virome in health and disease.. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017 Nov;46(9):800-815.
          doi: 10.1111/apt.14280pubmed: 28869283google scholar: lookup
        4. Krishnamurthy SR, Janowski AB, Zhao G, Barouch D, Wang D. Hyperexpansion of RNA Bacteriophage Diversity.. PLoS Biol 2016 Mar;14(3):e1002409.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002409pubmed: 27010970google scholar: lookup
        5. Gentry-Shields J, Myers K, Pisanic N, Heaney C, Stewart J. Hepatitis E virus and coliphages in waters proximal to swine concentrated animal feeding operations.. Sci Total Environ 2015 Feb 1;505:487-93.
        6. Abedon ST. Selection for bacteriophage latent period length by bacterial density: A theoretical examination.. Microb Ecol 1989 Sep;18(2):79-88.
          doi: 10.1007/BF02030117pubmed: 24196124google scholar: lookup
        7. Kannoly S, Shao Y, Wang IN. Rethinking the evolution of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) bacteriophages based on genomic sequences and characterizations of two R-plasmid-dependent ssRNA phages, C-1 and Hgal1.. J Bacteriol 2012 Sep;194(18):5073-9.
          doi: 10.1128/JB.00929-12pubmed: 22821966google scholar: lookup
        8. Lee JE, Lim MY, Kim SY, Lee S, Lee H, Oh HM, Hur HG, Ko G. Molecular characterization of bacteriophages for microbial source tracking in Korea.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009 Nov;75(22):7107-14.
          doi: 10.1128/AEM.00464-09pubmed: 19767475google scholar: lookup
        9. Griffin JS, Plummer JD, Long SC. Torque teno virus: an improved indicator for viral pathogens in drinking waters.. Virol J 2008 Oct 3;5:112.
          doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-5-112pubmed: 18834517google scholar: lookup
        10. Love DC, Sobsey MD. Simple and rapid F+ coliphage culture, latex agglutination, and typing assay to detect and source track fecal contamination.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2007 Jul;73(13):4110-8.
          doi: 10.1128/AEM.02546-06pubmed: 17483282google scholar: lookup
        11. Kirs M, Smith DC. Multiplex quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR for F+-specific RNA coliphages: a method for use in microbial source tracking.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2007 Feb;73(3):808-14.
          doi: 10.1128/AEM.00399-06pubmed: 17142373google scholar: lookup
        12. Rose JB, Zhou X, Griffin DW, Paul JH. Comparison of PCR and plaque assay for detection and enumeration of coliphage in polluted marine waters.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1997 Nov;63(11):4564-6.
        13. Stewart JR, Vinjé J, Oudejans SJ, Scott GI, Sobsey MD. Sequence variation among group III F-specific RNA coliphages from water samples and swine lagoons.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006 Feb;72(2):1226-30.
        14. Zhang T, Breitbart M, Lee WH, Run JQ, Wei CL, Soh SW, Hibberd ML, Liu ET, Rohwer F, Ruan Y. RNA viral community in human feces: prevalence of plant pathogenic viruses.. PLoS Biol 2006 Jan;4(1):e3.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0040003pubmed: 16336043google scholar: lookup
        15. Myrmel M, Berg EM, Rimstad E, Grinde B. Detection of enteric viruses in shellfish from the Norwegian coast.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2004 May;70(5):2678-84.
        16. Cole D, Long SC, Sobsey MD. Evaluation of F+ RNA and DNA coliphages as source-specific indicators of fecal contamination in surface waters.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003 Nov;69(11):6507-14.
        17. Breitbart M, Hewson I, Felts B, Mahaffy JM, Nulton J, Salamon P, Rohwer F. Metagenomic analyses of an uncultured viral community from human feces.. J Bacteriol 2003 Oct;185(20):6220-3.
        18. Field KG, Bernhard AE, Brodeur TJ. Molecular approaches to microbiological monitoring: fecal source detection.. Environ Monit Assess 2003 Jan-Feb;81(1-3):313-26.
          pubmed: 12620024
        19. Schaper M, Durán AE, Jofre J. Comparative resistance of phage isolates of four genotypes of f-specific RNA bacteriophages to various inactivation processes.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2002 Aug;68(8):3702-7.
        20. Dombek PE, Johnson LK, Zimmerley ST, Sadowsky MJ. Use of repetitive DNA sequences and the PCR To differentiate Escherichia coli isolates from human and animal sources.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2000 Jun;66(6):2572-7.
        21. Wiggins BA, Andrews RW, Conway RA, Corr CL, Dobratz EJ, Dougherty DP, Eppard JR, Knupp SR, Limjoco MC, Mettenburg JM, Rinehardt JM, Sonsino J, Torrijos RL, Zimmerman ME. Use of antibiotic resistance analysis to identify nonpoint sources of fecal pollution.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1999 Aug;65(8):3483-6.
        22. Puig A, Queralt N, Jofre J, Araujo R. Diversity of bacteroides fragilis strains in their capacity to recover phages from human and animal wastes and from fecally polluted wastewater.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1999 Apr;65(4):1772-6.
        23. Wiggins BA. Discriminant analysis of antibiotic resistance patterns in fecal streptococci, a method to differentiate human and animal sources of fecal pollution in natural waters.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1996 Nov;62(11):3997-4002.
        24. Hsu FC, Shieh YS, van Duin J, Beekwilder MJ, Sobsey MD. Genotyping male-specific RNA coliphages by hybridization with oligonucleotide probes.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1995 Nov;61(11):3960-6.
        25. Furuse K, Ando A, Osawa S, Watanabe I. Distribution of ribonucleic acid coliphages in raw sewage from treatment plants in Japan.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1981 May;41(5):1139-43.
        26. Ackermann HW, Nguyen TM. Sewage coliphages studied by electron microscopy.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1983 Mar;45(3):1049-59.
        27. Debartolomeis J, Cabelli VJ. Evaluation of an Escherichia coli host strain for enumeration of F male-specific bacteriophages.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1991 May;57(5):1301-5.