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Ensiling is a feed preservation method of moist forage crops that generally depends on naturally developing lactic acid bacteria to convert water-soluble carbohydrates into organic acids. While bacterial community dynamics have been previously assessed in bench-scale and pilot ensiling facilities, almost no studies have assessed the microbiomes of large-scale silage facilities. This study analyzed bacterial community composition in mature silage from bunker silos in three commercial production centers as related to pH, organic matter, volatile fatty acid composition, and spatial distribution within the ensiling bunker. It revealed significant physicochemical differences between 'preserved' regions situated in the center and along the walls of the silage bunkers that were characterized by high concentrations of lactic acid and other volatiles and pH values below 5, and 'spoiled' regions in the corners (shoulders) of the bunkers that had low lactic acid concentrations and high pH values. Preserved silage was dominated (>90 %) by lactic acid bacteria and characterized by high similarity and low taxonomic diversity, whereas spoiled silage had highly diverse microbiomes with low abundances of lactic acid bacteria (<5 %) that were sometimes characterized by high levels of Enterobacteriaceae. Spatial position had a much stronger impact on the microbial community composition than feedstock type, sampling date, or production center location supporting previous studies demonstrating that ecology and not geography is a major driver of environmental microbiomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the reuse of treated urban wastewater and its challenges and opportunities addressed by the European Union (EU)-COST Action ES1403 (NEREUS). Topics include the commitment of the COST Action to provide insight on the challenges of wastewater reuse practice, the objectives of the five working groups (WGs), and the potential impact of the NEREUS.

The purposes of this study were to describe the epidemiology (2001-2009) of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in a geriatric department and to compare the clinical data of patients infected with a 027 or non-027 strain. We retrospectively identified all geriatric patients with CDI and analysed the clinical and microbiological data of 133 patients for whom a ribotype was available between March 2003 and December 2009. The incidence of CDI in our geriatric department increased from 0.2 per 100 admissions in 2001 to 8.1 in 2004 and decreased to 1.3 in 2008 before a new rise to 2.1 in 2009. The percentage of ribotype 027 decreased from 2007 but it remained the most prevalent ribotype during the years 2007-2009, with a greater dispersion of ribotypes. The mean age of the patients was 84 years and the median Charlson index was 6.0. Previous use of fluoroquinolones was a significant risk factor for developing a CDI with an 027 strain ( p = 0.001). Cure was significantly lower in the 027 group ( p = 0.003). The total attributable mortality was 24.1 %. A multiparametric model showed that attributable mortality was influenced by the ribotype 027 ( p = 0.037), the severity of clinical symptoms ( p = 0.001) and the type of treatment ( p = 0.002). Oral vancomycin had a protective effect against mortality. Attention should be paid to elderly patients developing a CDI, especially after the administration of fluoroquinolones. Oral vancomycin could be recommended as the first-line agent not only to protect against recurrence or severe CDI, but to diminish the attributable mortality risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serious infections with group B streptococcus (streptococcus agalactiae) are rare in adults. A 81-year-old patient with cirrhosis who developed a septic arthritis due to this germ, is described. Only eleven cases of group B streptococcal arthritis have been previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]