Precipitation is one of the major constraints influencing the diversity, structure, and activity of soil microbial communities in desert ecosystems. However, the effect of changes in precipitation on soil microbial communities in arid soil microbiomes remains unresolved. In this study, using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and shotgun metagenome sequencing, we explored changes in taxonomic composition and functional potential across two zones in the Namib Desert with contrasting precipitation regime. We found that precipitation regime had no effect on taxonomic and functional alpha-diversity, but that microbial community composition and functional potential (beta-diversity) changed with increased precipitation. For instance, Acidobacteriota and 'resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds' related genes were relatively more abundant in the high-rainfall zone. These changes were largely due to a small set of microbial taxa, some of which were present in low abundance (i.e. members of the rare biosphere). Overall, these results indicate that key climatic factors (i.e. precipitation) shape the taxonomic and functional attributes of the arid soil microbiome. This research provides insight into how changes in precipitation patterns associated with global climate change may impact microbial community structure and function in desert soils.
An acutely ill pre-term infant, born by normal vaginal delivery at 35 weeks and weighing 1AE5 kg, presented with a distended abdomen and radiological evidence of duodenal atresia. A laparotomy was performed to bypass the atresia and the infant was started on intravenous antibiotics via a central venous line. Sixteen days postoperatively the full blood count (peripheral blood specimen) showed a haemoglobin of 78 g/l, platelet count of 47 · 10 9 /l and a white cell count of 8AE8 · 10 9 /l (45% neutrophils, 39% lymphocytes, 7% monocytes and 9% eosinophils). Examination of the peripheral blood film showed the presence of non-branching pseudohyphae [green arrows] and small (<4 microns) budding yeast forms [yellow arrows]. This finding could have been indicative of colonization of the in-dwelling venous line but in this case the organism, Candida albicans, was cultured from peripheral blood, indicating systemic infection. Despite treatment with amphotericin B the infant died at the age of 6 weeks.
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