Background Arcobacter butzleri is a member of the epsilon subdivision of the Proteobacteria and a close taxonomic relative of established pathogens, such as Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori. Here we present the complete genome sequence of the human clinical isolate, A. butzleri strain RM4018.Methodology/Principal Findings Arcobacter butzleri is a member of the Campylobacteraceae, but the majority of its proteome is most similar to those of Sulfuromonas denitrificans and Wolinella succinogenes, both members of the Helicobacteraceae, and those of the deep-sea vent Epsilonproteobacteria Sulfurovum and Nitratiruptor. In addition, many of the genes and pathways described here, e.g. those involved in signal transduction and sulfur metabolism, have been identified previously within the epsilon subdivision only in S. denitrificans, W. succinogenes, Sulfurovum, and/or Nitratiruptor, or are unique to the subdivision. In addition, the analyses indicated also that a substantial proportion of the A. butzleri genome is devoted to growth and survival under diverse environmental conditions, with a large number of respiration-associated proteins, signal transduction and chemotaxis proteins and proteins involved in DNA repair and adaptation. To investigate the genomic diversity of A. butzleri strains, we constructed an A. butzleri DNA microarray comprising 2238 genes from strain RM4018. Comparative genomic indexing analysis of 12 additional A. butzleri strains identified both the core genes of A. butzleri and intraspecies hypervariable regions, where <70% of the genes were present in at least two strains.Conclusion/SignificanceThe presence of pathways and loci associated often with non-host-associated organisms, as well as genes associated with virulence, suggests that A. butzleri is a free-living, water-borne organism that might be classified rightfully as an emerging pathogen. The genome sequence and analyses presented in this study are an important first step in understanding the physiology and genetics of this organism, which constitutes a bridge between the environment and mammalian hosts.

Molecularly imprinted polymers were used as specific binding matrices for the solid phase extraction and cleanup of biological sample extracts. To demonstrate this, an anti-atrazine polymer was used to cleanup organic extracts of beef liver. Atrazine retention on the columns was greatest in chloroform. The binding capacity of the polymer in chloroform was 19 mumol of atrazine per gram. Purified and unpurified beef liver extracts were analyzed by both reversed-phase HPLC and ELISA. The use of molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) improved the accuracy and precision of the HPLC method and lowered the limit of detection (0.005 ppm). Atrazine recovery as determined by HPLC from beef liver homogenates spiked to levels from 0.005 to 0.5 ppm averaged 88.7% following MISPE and 60.9% for the unpurified extracts. Atrazine recovery as determined by ELISA averaged 92.8% following MISPE and 79.6% for the unpurified extracts. Crude tissue sample extracts interfered with both the HPLC and ELISA methods. However, the use of MISPE allowed for the rapid analysis of complex biological matrices using either method at the tolerance level of 0.02 ppm in meat products. The application of molecular imprinting technology for solid phase extraction is a new approach for the analysis of highly lipophilic low molecular weight contaminants.

Holstein cows (n = 51) that had been diagnosed with toxic puerperal metritis were used to determine the treatment efficacy of various antibiotics. On the day of diagnosis, cows affected with toxic puerperal metritis were assigned randomly to three treatment groups. Cows in groups 1 and 2 received 22,000 IU/kg of procaine penicillin G i.m. for 5 d. In addition, cows in group 2 received an intrauterine infusion of 6 g of oxytetracycline on d 1, 3, and 5. Cows in group 3 received 2.2 mg/kg of ceftiofur sodium i.m. for 5 d. Dependent variables used to determine antibiotic efficacy included milk yield on d 1 through 12, rectal temperature on d 1 through 5, and serum haptoglobin concentration on d 1, 3, and 5. No difference was observed among groups for milk yield on d 1 and 12 or for temperature on d 1 and 5. Serum haptoglobin was elevated to > 10 mg/dl for cows in all groups; however, no difference was observed among groups on d 1 and 5. Because all groups showed a favorable response, this study suggests that there is no difference in treatment efficacy among antibiotics used to treat cows affected with toxic puerperal metritis.

Aims: To describe, at high resolution, the bacterial population dynamics and chemical transformations during the ensiling of alfalfa and subsequent exposure to air. Methods and Results: Samples of alfalfa, ensiled alfalfa and silage exposed to air were collected and their bacterial population structures compared using 16S rRNA gene libraries containing approximately 1900 sequences each. Cultural and chemical analyses were also performed to complement the 16S gene sequence data. Sequence analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0Á05) in the bacterial populations at each time point. The alfalfa-derived library contained mostly sequences associated with the Gammaproteobacteria (including the genera: Enterobacter, Erwinia and Pantoea); the ensiled material contained mostly sequences associated with the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (including the genera: Lactobacillus, Pediococcus and Lactococcus). Exposure to air resulted in even greater percentages of LAB, especially among the genus Lactobacillus, and a significant drop in bacterial diversity. Conclusions: In-depth 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed significant bacterial population structure changes during ensiling and again during exposure to air. Significance and Impact of the Study: This in-depth description of the bacterial population dynamics that occurred during ensiling and simulated feed out expands our knowledge of these processes.