Methylobacterium spp. as Emerging Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens

Abstract

Methylobacterium spp. are emerging opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens. Human infections linked to premise plumbing provide evidence of their routes of infection. Cells of a collection of representative strains of different Methylobacterium species were tested for hydrophobicity by contact angle, adherence and biofilm formation on different plumbing materials, and temperature tolerance (50–60 °C); characteristics shared by OPPPs. Methylobacterium spp. strains were shown to grow in drinking water, have high cell-surface hydrophobicity, adhere to pipe surface materials, form biofilms, and survive exposure to high (60° C) temperatures. It can be concluded that Methylobacterium spp. strains share traits in common with other opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs).

Airborne Prokaryotic, Fungal and Eukaryotic Communities of an Urban Environment in the UK

“…Regarding bioaerosol composition, the relative abundance of potential pathogens, for example, OTUs belonging to Methylobacterium, Streptococcus and Corynebacterium were higher in the November 2019 samples. Species belonging to Methylobacterium are known to be opportunistic pathogens which cause bacteremia in immunocompromised people [46,47]. Many species belonging to Streptococcus are pathogenic to humans, causing bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, and other diseases [48].…”

Genome Sequences of Three Common Bacterial Isolates from Wastewater from the Water Processor Assembly at the International Space Station

“…Bacterial species from the Burkholderia cepacia complex and Ralstonia and Methylobacterium genera were commonly cultured from the WRS wastewater and cabin condensate ( 3 ). Similarly, on Earth, representatives of the same genera are found contaminating water sources, water-based pharmaceuticals, water dispensers, and potable water, forming biofilms that compromise water quality and the functioning of the water systems ( 4 – 6 ). To start detailed characterization of wastewater ISS isolates and to compare those with their counterparts found at normal gravity, we used isolates obtained from ISS samples by the Boeing Huntsville laboratory.…”

Microbial DNA in human nucleic acid extracts: Recoverability of the microbiome in DNA extracts stored frozen long-term and its potential and ethical implications for forensic investigation

“…and Aeribacillus spp. are reported to be resistant to exposure to high temperatures [91,92]. Bacteria of the Clostridia class are obligate anaerobes which are able to produce resilient endospores; Clostridium genus spores in particular are able to survive extreme and extended heating conditions [93].…”