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Dr. Anca Farkas
Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu, 400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

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0 Antibiotic Resistance
0 Environmental Biotechnology
0 Molecular Markers
0 biofilm
0 Bacterial Pathogens

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Review article
Published: 30 June 2021 in Microbial Physiology
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Being frequently exposed to foreign nucleic acids, bacteria and archaea have developed an ingenious adaptive defense system, called CRISPR-Cas. The system is composed of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) array, together with CRISPR (cas)-associated genes. This system consists of a complex machinery that integrates fragments of foreign nucleic acids from viruses and mobile genetic elements (MGEs), into CRISPR arrays. The inserted segments (spacers) are transcribed and then used by cas proteins as guide RNAs for recognition and inactivation of the targets. Different types and families of CRISPR-Cas systems consist of distinct adaptation and effector modules with evolutionary trajectories, partially independent. The origin of the effector modules and the mechanism of spacer integration/deletion is far less clear. A review of the most recent data regarding the structure, ecology, and evolution of CRISPR-Cas systems and their role in the modulation of accessory genomes in prokaryotes is proposed in this article. The CRISPR-Cas system's impact on the physiology and ecology of prokaryotes, modulation of horizontal gene transfer events, is also discussed here. This system gained popularity after it was proposed as a tool for plant and animal embryo editing, in cancer therapy, as antimicrobial against pathogenic bacteria, and even for combating the novel coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2; thus, the newest and promising applications are reviewed as well.

ACS Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Anca Farkas; Rahela Carpa; Dumitrana Iordache. CRISPR-Cas System: The Powerful Modulator of Accessory Genomes in Prokaryotes. Microbial Physiology 2021, 1 -16.

AMA Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul, Anca Farkas, Rahela Carpa, Dumitrana Iordache. CRISPR-Cas System: The Powerful Modulator of Accessory Genomes in Prokaryotes. Microbial Physiology. 2021; ():1-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Anca Farkas; Rahela Carpa; Dumitrana Iordache. 2021. "CRISPR-Cas System: The Powerful Modulator of Accessory Genomes in Prokaryotes." Microbial Physiology , no. : 1-16.

Journal article
Published: 29 March 2021 in Antibiotics
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Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) isolated from influent (I) and effluent (E) of two wastewater treatment plants, with (S1) or without (S2) hospital contribution, were investigated. The strains belonged to the Kp1 phylogroup, their highest frequency being observed in S1, followed by S2. The phenotypic and genotypic hypervirulence tests were negative for all the strains tested. At least one carbapenemase gene (CRG), belonging to the blaKPC, blaOXA-48, blaNDM and blaVIM families, was observed in 63% of CPKP, and more than half co-harboured two to four CRGs, in different combinations. Only five CRG variants were observed, regardless of wastewater type: blaKPC-2, blaNDM-1, blaNDM-6, blaVIM-2, and blaOXA-48. Sequence types ST258, ST101 and ST744 were common for both S1 and S2, while ST147, ST525 and ST2502 were found only in S1 and ST418 only in S2. The strains tested were multi-drug resistant (MDR), all being resistant to beta-lactams, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams and fluoroquinolones, followed by various resistance profiles to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, tigecycline, chloramphenicol and tetracycline. After principal component analysis, the isolates in S1 and S2 groups did not cluster independently, confirming that the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and gene-type profiles were both similar in the K. pneumoniae investigated, regardless of hospital contribution to the wastewater type.

ACS Style

Adela Teban-Man; Anca Farkas; Andreea Baricz; Adriana Hegedus; Edina Szekeres; Marcel Pârvu; Cristian Coman. Wastewaters, with or without Hospital Contribution, Harbour MDR, Carbapenemase-Producing, but Not Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotics 2021, 10, 361 .

AMA Style

Adela Teban-Man, Anca Farkas, Andreea Baricz, Adriana Hegedus, Edina Szekeres, Marcel Pârvu, Cristian Coman. Wastewaters, with or without Hospital Contribution, Harbour MDR, Carbapenemase-Producing, but Not Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotics. 2021; 10 (4):361.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adela Teban-Man; Anca Farkas; Andreea Baricz; Adriana Hegedus; Edina Szekeres; Marcel Pârvu; Cristian Coman. 2021. "Wastewaters, with or without Hospital Contribution, Harbour MDR, Carbapenemase-Producing, but Not Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae." Antibiotics 10, no. 4: 361.

Article
Published: 24 February 2021 in Current Microbiology
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Selection and dissemination of resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) require a deeper understanding since antibiotics are permanently released to the environment. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the phenotypic resistance of 499 isolates of Pseudomonas spp. from urban water sources, and the prevalence of 20 ARGs within those isolates. Resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, quinolones, macrolides, and tetracyclines was mainly observed in the hospital effluent, municipal wastewater and river water downstream the city. Resistant strains were frequently identified as P. aeruginosa and P. putida. P. aeruginosa isolates were mostly resistant to cefepime, ceftazidime, imipenem, and gentamycin, while P. putida strains were especially resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam. ARGs such as blaTEM-1, blaSHV-1, blaPER-1, blaAmpC, blaVIM-1, PstS, qnrA, qnrB, ermB, tetA, tetB and tetC have been detected. The blaAmpC gene was found in P. aeruginosa, while blaTEM-1 and blaPER-1 genes were found in P. putida. Class 1 integron integrase gene was found in 6.81% of the Pseudomonas isolates.

ACS Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Rahela Carpa; Dorina Podar; Edina Szekeres; Vasile Muntean; Dumitrana Iordache; Anca Farkas. Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas spp. Through the Urban Water Cycle. Current Microbiology 2021, 78, 1227 -1237.

AMA Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul, Rahela Carpa, Dorina Podar, Edina Szekeres, Vasile Muntean, Dumitrana Iordache, Anca Farkas. Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas spp. Through the Urban Water Cycle. Current Microbiology. 2021; 78 (4):1227-1237.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Rahela Carpa; Dorina Podar; Edina Szekeres; Vasile Muntean; Dumitrana Iordache; Anca Farkas. 2021. "Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas spp. Through the Urban Water Cycle." Current Microbiology 78, no. 4: 1227-1237.

Research article
Published: 25 July 2020 in Geomicrobiology Journal
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The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of heavy metal (HM) pollution and its effect on microorganisms from rhizosphere soil in Baia Mare area (Maramureş County, Romania). Two sites with different contamination degrees were included in the study: one with a long history of mining activities and one within a drinking water safeguard zone. Rhizosphere soil samples were characterized with respect to physico-chemical parameters and the Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contents. Native bacteria were investigated for HM tolerance and biofilm formation under toxic exposure by the microdilution assay. The most resistant strains were identified and the minimum inhibitory concentrations for HMs were determined. Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn exceeded the intervention threshold in Bozânta tailings site, while Pb content exceeded the intervention level within the area of the drinking water treatment plant. Cd showed a very high potential ecological risk in Bozânta area. The long-term exposure to HMs contributed to the selection of HM-tolerant and weakly adherent strains. Biofouling was significantly reduced under the influence of copper ions. Arthrobacter, Rhodococcus and Acidovorax strains with exceptional resistant profiles were isolated from the tailings site, indicating the important role of native microorganisms in rhizosphere ecosystems of contaminated sites.

ACS Style

Anca Farkas; Florina Mereuti; Anca Butiuc-Keul; Dorina Podar; Carmen Roba; Ramona Bălc. Effects of Long-Term exposure to Heavy Metals upon Rhizosphere Bacteria from Baia Mare Area (Maramureş County, Romania). Geomicrobiology Journal 2020, 37, 867 -876.

AMA Style

Anca Farkas, Florina Mereuti, Anca Butiuc-Keul, Dorina Podar, Carmen Roba, Ramona Bălc. Effects of Long-Term exposure to Heavy Metals upon Rhizosphere Bacteria from Baia Mare Area (Maramureş County, Romania). Geomicrobiology Journal. 2020; 37 (9):867-876.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Farkas; Florina Mereuti; Anca Butiuc-Keul; Dorina Podar; Carmen Roba; Ramona Bălc. 2020. "Effects of Long-Term exposure to Heavy Metals upon Rhizosphere Bacteria from Baia Mare Area (Maramureş County, Romania)." Geomicrobiology Journal 37, no. 9: 867-876.

Journal article
Published: 02 October 2019 in TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
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ACS Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Ana Coste; Anca Farkas; Victoria Cristea; Valentina Isac; Adela Halmagyi. Molecular characterization of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) genotypes originating from three complementary conservation strategies. TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY 2019, 43, 464 -477.

AMA Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul, Ana Coste, Anca Farkas, Victoria Cristea, Valentina Isac, Adela Halmagyi. Molecular characterization of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) genotypes originating from three complementary conservation strategies. TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY. 2019; 43 (5):464-477.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Ana Coste; Anca Farkas; Victoria Cristea; Valentina Isac; Adela Halmagyi. 2019. "Molecular characterization of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) genotypes originating from three complementary conservation strategies." TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY 43, no. 5: 464-477.

Journal article
Published: 15 October 2018 in Scientific Reports
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The aim of this paper is to describe a new variant of Janthinobacterium lividum - ROICE173, isolated from Antarctic snow, and to investigate the antimicrobial effect of the crude bacterial extract against 200 multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria of both clinical and environmental origin, displaying various antibiotic resistance patterns. ROICE173 is extremotolerant, grows at high pH (5.5–9.5), in high salinity (3%) and in the presence of different xenobiotic compounds and various antibiotics. The best violacein yield (4.59 ± 0.78 mg·g−1 wet biomass) was obtained at 22 °C, on R2 broth supplemented with 1% glycerol. When the crude extract was tested for antimicrobial activity, a clear bactericidal effect was observed on 79 strains (40%), a bacteriostatic effect on 25 strains (12%) and no effect in the case of 96 strains (48%). A very good inhibitory effect was noticed against numerous MRSA, MSSA, Enterococci, and Enterobacteriaceae isolates. For several environmental E. coli strains, the bactericidal effect was encountered at a violacein concentration below of what was previously reported. A different effect (bacteriostatic vs. bactericidal) was observed in the case of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from raw vs. treated wastewater, suggesting that the wastewater treatment process may influence the susceptibility of MDR bacteria to violacein containing bacterial extracts.

ACS Style

Andreea Baricz; Adela Monica Teban-Man; Cecilia Chiriac; Edina Szekeres; Anca Farkas; Maria Nica; Amalia Dascălu; Corina Oprișan; Paris Lavin; Cristian Coman. Investigating the potential use of an Antarctic variant of Janthinobacterium lividum for tackling antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach. Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 15272 .

AMA Style

Andreea Baricz, Adela Monica Teban-Man, Cecilia Chiriac, Edina Szekeres, Anca Farkas, Maria Nica, Amalia Dascălu, Corina Oprișan, Paris Lavin, Cristian Coman. Investigating the potential use of an Antarctic variant of Janthinobacterium lividum for tackling antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach. Scientific Reports. 2018; 8 (1):15272.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andreea Baricz; Adela Monica Teban-Man; Cecilia Chiriac; Edina Szekeres; Anca Farkas; Maria Nica; Amalia Dascălu; Corina Oprișan; Paris Lavin; Cristian Coman. 2018. "Investigating the potential use of an Antarctic variant of Janthinobacterium lividum for tackling antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach." Scientific Reports 8, no. 1: 15272.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2018 in Acta botanica Croatica
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In order to develop a proper conservation programme for several endangered, rare or endemic species of Dianhtus from Romania, molecular characterization by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers has been accomplished. Amplification of SSR loci in individuals belonging to different populations of D. callizonus, D. glacialis ssp. gelidus, D. henteri, D. nardiformis and D. tenuifolius revealed 23 polymorphic alleles. D. callizonus and D. tenuifolius showed particular sets of SSR alleles. D. glacialis ssp. gelidus, D. henteri and D. nardiformis proved to share almost the same alleles in most of the loci. The highest genetic diversity was observed in D. glacialis ssp. gelidus and D. tenuifolius in locus MS-DINMADSBOX. Allelic patterns across Dianthus species indicate that the mean number of different alleles was highest in D. glacialis ssp. gelidus, while the number of effective alleles was highest in D. tenuifolius. There are no particular differences in individuals belonging to the same species. Genetic diversity is generally low, ranging from 0.18 (D. callizonus) to 0.44 (D. henteri). Regarding the genetic diversity within populations of the same species, no differences were revealed by the use of the SSR markers tested in the present study.

ACS Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Cornelia Crăciunaș; Irina Goia; Anca Farkas; Liliana Jarda; Victoria Cristea. Genetic structure of populations of several endangered and endemic Dianthus species revealed by microsatellite markers. Acta botanica Croatica 2018, 77, 181 -188.

AMA Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul, Cornelia Crăciunaș, Irina Goia, Anca Farkas, Liliana Jarda, Victoria Cristea. Genetic structure of populations of several endangered and endemic Dianthus species revealed by microsatellite markers. Acta botanica Croatica. 2018; 77 (2):181-188.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Butiuc-Keul; Cornelia Crăciunaș; Irina Goia; Anca Farkas; Liliana Jarda; Victoria Cristea. 2018. "Genetic structure of populations of several endangered and endemic Dianthus species revealed by microsatellite markers." Acta botanica Croatica 77, no. 2: 181-188.

Journal article
Published: 22 June 2018 in Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia
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ACS Style

Anca-Livia Butiuc-Keul; Liliana Jarda; Irina Goia; Irina Holobiuc; Anca Farkas; Victoria Cristea. Preliminary data regarding genetic diversity of several endangered and endemic Dianthus species from Romania generated by RAPD markers. Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia 2018, 63, 59 -72.

AMA Style

Anca-Livia Butiuc-Keul, Liliana Jarda, Irina Goia, Irina Holobiuc, Anca Farkas, Victoria Cristea. Preliminary data regarding genetic diversity of several endangered and endemic Dianthus species from Romania generated by RAPD markers. Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia. 2018; 63 (1):59-72.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca-Livia Butiuc-Keul; Liliana Jarda; Irina Goia; Irina Holobiuc; Anca Farkas; Victoria Cristea. 2018. "Preliminary data regarding genetic diversity of several endangered and endemic Dianthus species from Romania generated by RAPD markers." Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia 63, no. 1: 59-72.

Journal article
Published: 15 December 2017 in Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia
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ACS Style

Anca Farkas; Ema Tarco; Brînduşa Bocoş; Anca Butiuc-Keul; Cornelia Crăciunaş. Screening for phenotypic and genotypic resistance to antibiotics in Gram positive pathogens. Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia 2017, 62, 85 -96.

AMA Style

Anca Farkas, Ema Tarco, Brînduşa Bocoş, Anca Butiuc-Keul, Cornelia Crăciunaş. Screening for phenotypic and genotypic resistance to antibiotics in Gram positive pathogens. Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia. 2017; 62 (2):85-96.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Farkas; Ema Tarco; Brînduşa Bocoş; Anca Butiuc-Keul; Cornelia Crăciunaş. 2017. "Screening for phenotypic and genotypic resistance to antibiotics in Gram positive pathogens." Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia 62, no. 2: 85-96.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2017 in Environmental Pollution
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Antimicrobial resistance represents a growing and significant public health threat, which requires a global response to develop effective strategies and mitigate the emergence and spread of this phenomenon in clinical and environmental settings. We investigated, therefore, the occurrence and abundance of several antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as well as bacterial community composition in wastewater effluents from different hospitals located in the Cluj County, Romania. Antibiotic concentrations ranged between 3.67 and 53.05 μg L, and the most abundant antibiotic classes were β-lactams, glycopeptides, and trimethoprim. Among the ARGs detected, 14 genes confer resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotics, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines. Genes encoding quaternary ammonium resistance and a transposon-related element were also detected. The sulI and qacEΔ1 genes, which confer resistance to sulfonamides and quaternary ammonium, had the highest relative abundance with values ranging from 5.33 × 10 to 1.94 × 10 and 1.94 × 10 to 4.89 × 10 copies/16 rRNA gene copies, respectively. The dominant phyla detected in the hospital wastewater samples were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Among selected hospitals, one of them applied an activated sludge and chlorine disinfection process before releasing the effluent to the municipal collector. This conventional wastewater treatment showed moderate removal efficiency of the studied pollutants, with a 55-81% decrease in antibiotic concentrations, 1-3 order of magnitude lower relative abundance of ARGs, but with a slight increase of some potentially pathogenic bacteria. Given this, hospital wastewaters (raw or treated) may contribute to the spread of these emerging pollutants in the receiving environments. To the best of our knowledge, this study quantified for the first time the abundance of antibiotics and ARGs in wastewater effluents from different Romanian hospitals.

ACS Style

Edina Szekeres; Andreea Baricz; Cecilia Maria Chiriac; Anca Farkas; Ocsana Opris; Maria-Loredana Soran; Adrian-Stefan Andrei; Knut Rudi; Jose Luis Balcázar; Nicolae Dragos; Cristian Coman. Abundance of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community composition in wastewater effluents from different Romanian hospitals. Environmental Pollution 2017, 225, 304 -315.

AMA Style

Edina Szekeres, Andreea Baricz, Cecilia Maria Chiriac, Anca Farkas, Ocsana Opris, Maria-Loredana Soran, Adrian-Stefan Andrei, Knut Rudi, Jose Luis Balcázar, Nicolae Dragos, Cristian Coman. Abundance of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community composition in wastewater effluents from different Romanian hospitals. Environmental Pollution. 2017; 225 ():304-315.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Edina Szekeres; Andreea Baricz; Cecilia Maria Chiriac; Anca Farkas; Ocsana Opris; Maria-Loredana Soran; Adrian-Stefan Andrei; Knut Rudi; Jose Luis Balcázar; Nicolae Dragos; Cristian Coman. 2017. "Abundance of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community composition in wastewater effluents from different Romanian hospitals." Environmental Pollution 225, no. : 304-315.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2016 in Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
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The spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern, high research priority being given to the environmental contamination, as the prevalence of organisms exhibiting AMR continues to increase. Multiresistant bacteria carrying different mobile genetic elements have been detected in sites with different degrees of urbanization, surface waters receiving insufficiently treated effluents being at high risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the loads, antibiotic susceptibility, and class 1 integron carriage of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from surface waters and wastewaters around a large Romanian city. Searching for a valuable genetic marker of the displayed antibiotic resistance, the link between the AMR and the presence of int1I gene was explored in a total of 166 waterborne strains. Overall, amoxicillin-clavulanate resistance displayed the highest frequency (71.1 %), followed by ampicillin (63.9 %), cefuroxime (21.1 %), ciprofloxacin (17.5 %), cefotaxime (15.7 %), ceftriaxone (10.8 %), and gentamicin (6.6 %). The frequencies of isolates resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin and also the prevalence of multiresistant strains were greater in surface waters, compared to wastewaters. The Int1I gene was detected in 21.7 % waterborne Enterobacteriaceae. A decrease in coliform counts and intI1-bearing cells, but a general increase in AMR and multiresistant bacteria, occurred during the wastewater treatment. A weak positive correlation was found between multidrug resistance int1I carriage in wastewater effluent but no sufficient evidence of a linkage between phenotypic AMR and int1I, overall. The presence of class 1 integron can be associated with anthropogenic influence, but the simple detection of intI1 gene cannot explain the complex antibiotic resistance phenotype.

ACS Style

Anca Farkas; Brînduşa Bocoş; Anca Butiuc-Keul. Antibiotic Resistance and intI1 Carriage in Waterborne Enterobacteriaceae. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 2016, 227, 1 .

AMA Style

Anca Farkas, Brînduşa Bocoş, Anca Butiuc-Keul. Antibiotic Resistance and intI1 Carriage in Waterborne Enterobacteriaceae. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 2016; 227 (7):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Farkas; Brînduşa Bocoş; Anca Butiuc-Keul. 2016. "Antibiotic Resistance and intI1 Carriage in Waterborne Enterobacteriaceae." Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 227, no. 7: 1.

Journal article
Published: 14 April 2016 in Microbial Ecology
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This study investigates the role of coliforms in the carriage of class 1 integron and biocide resistance genes in a drinking water treatment plant and explores the relationship between the carriage of such genes and the biofouling abilities of the strain. The high incidence of class 1 integron and biocide resistance genes (33.3 % of the isolates) highlights the inherent risk of genetic contamination posed by coliform populations during drinking water treatment. The association between the presence of intI1 gene and qac gene cassettes, especially qacH, was greater in biofilm cells. In coliforms recovered from biofilms, a higher frequency of class 1 integron elements and higher diversity of genetic patterns occurred, compared to planktonic cells. The coliform isolates under the study proved to mostly carry non-classical class 1 integrons lacking the typical qacEΔ1/sul1 genes or a complete tni module, but bearing the qacH gene. No link was found between the carriage of integron genes and the biofouling degree of the strain, neither in aerobic or in anaerobic conditions. Coliform bacteria isolated from established biofilms rather adhere in oxygen depleted environments, while the colonization ability of planktonic cells is not significantly affected by oxygen availability.

ACS Style

Anca Farkas; Cornelia Crăciunaş; Cecilia Chiriac; Edina Szekeres; Cristian Coman; Anca Butiuc-Keul. Exploring the Role of Coliform Bacteria in Class 1 Integron Carriage and Biofilm Formation During Drinking Water Treatment. Microbial Ecology 2016, 72, 773 -782.

AMA Style

Anca Farkas, Cornelia Crăciunaş, Cecilia Chiriac, Edina Szekeres, Cristian Coman, Anca Butiuc-Keul. Exploring the Role of Coliform Bacteria in Class 1 Integron Carriage and Biofilm Formation During Drinking Water Treatment. Microbial Ecology. 2016; 72 (4):773-782.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Farkas; Cornelia Crăciunaş; Cecilia Chiriac; Edina Szekeres; Cristian Coman; Anca Butiuc-Keul. 2016. "Exploring the Role of Coliform Bacteria in Class 1 Integron Carriage and Biofilm Formation During Drinking Water Treatment." Microbial Ecology 72, no. 4: 773-782.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2013 in Open Life Sciences
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Microbial biofilms from surfaces in contact with water may play a beneficial role in drinking water treatment as biological filters. However, detrimental effects such as biofouling (i.e., biocorrosion and water quality deterioration) may also occur. In this study microbiological processes and factors influencing the activity of bacteria in biofilms were investigated by conventional cultivation methods. The presence of bacteria belonging to different ecophysiological groups was assessed during drinking water treatment, in biofilms developed on concrete, steel and sand surfaces. Influences of the treatment process, type of immersed material and physico-chemical characteristics of raw/bulk water and biofilms upon the dynamics of bacterial communities were evaluated. Results revealed intense microbial activity in biofilms occurring in the drinking water treatment plant of Cluj. Ammonification, iron reduction and manganese oxidation were found to be the predominant processes. Multiple significant correlations were established between the evolution of biofilm bacteria and the physico-chemical parameters of raw/ bulk water. The type of immersed material proved to have no significant influence upon the evolution of microbial communities, but the treatment stage, suggesting that the processes applied restrict microbial growth not only in bulk fluid but in biofilms, too.

ACS Style

Anca Farkas; Mihail Dragan-Bularda; Vasile Muntean; Dorin Ciataras; Stefan Tigan. Microbial activity in drinking water-associated biofilms. Open Life Sciences 2013, 8, 201 -214.

AMA Style

Anca Farkas, Mihail Dragan-Bularda, Vasile Muntean, Dorin Ciataras, Stefan Tigan. Microbial activity in drinking water-associated biofilms. Open Life Sciences. 2013; 8 (2):201-214.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Farkas; Mihail Dragan-Bularda; Vasile Muntean; Dorin Ciataras; Stefan Tigan. 2013. "Microbial activity in drinking water-associated biofilms." Open Life Sciences 8, no. 2: 201-214.

Journal article
Published: 13 December 2012 in Science of The Total Environment
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Biofilms are the predominant mode of microbial growth in drinking water systems. A dynamic exchange of individuals occurs between the attached and planktonic populations, while lateral gene transfer mediates genetic exchange in these bacterial communities. Integrons are important vectors for the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The presence of class 1 integrons (intI1, qac and sul genes) was assessed in biofilms occurring throughout the drinking water treatment process. Isolates from general and specific culture media, covering a wide range of environmental bacteria, fecal indicators and opportunistic pathogens were tested. From 96 isolates tested, 9.37% were found to possess genetic determinants of putative antimicrobial resistance, and these occurred in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Class 1 integron integrase gene was present in 8.33% of bacteria, all positive for the qacEΔ1 gene. The sul1 gene was present in 3.12% of total isolates, representing 37.5% of the class 1 integron positive cells. The present study shows that biofilm communities in a drinking water treatment plant are a reservoir of class 1 integrons, mainly in bacteria that may be associated with microbiological contamination. Eight out of nine integron bearing strains (88.8%) were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing as either enteric bacteria or species that may be connected to animal and anthropogenic disturbance.

ACS Style

Anca Farkas; Anca Butiuc-Keul; Dorin Ciatarâş; Călin Neamţu; Cornelia Crăciunaş; Dorina Podar; Mihail Drăgan-Bularda. Microbiological contamination and resistance genes in biofilms occurring during the drinking water treatment process. Science of The Total Environment 2012, 443, 932 -938.

AMA Style

Anca Farkas, Anca Butiuc-Keul, Dorin Ciatarâş, Călin Neamţu, Cornelia Crăciunaş, Dorina Podar, Mihail Drăgan-Bularda. Microbiological contamination and resistance genes in biofilms occurring during the drinking water treatment process. Science of The Total Environment. 2012; 443 ():932-938.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Farkas; Anca Butiuc-Keul; Dorin Ciatarâş; Călin Neamţu; Cornelia Crăciunaş; Dorina Podar; Mihail Drăgan-Bularda. 2012. "Microbiological contamination and resistance genes in biofilms occurring during the drinking water treatment process." Science of The Total Environment 443, no. : 932-938.

Journal article
Published: 12 July 2012 in Journal of Water and Health
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Biofouling occurs without exception in all water systems, with undesirable effects such as biocorrosion and deterioration of water quality. Drinking water associated biofilms represent a potential risk to human health by harbouring pathogenic or toxin-releasing microorganisms. This is the first study investigating the attached microbiota, with potential threat to human health, in a public water system in Romania. The presence and the seasonal variation of viable faecal indicators and opportunistic pathogens were investigated within naturally developed biofilms in a drinking water treatment plant. Bacterial frequencies were correlated with microbial loads in biofilms as well as with physical and chemical characteristics of biofilms and raw water. The biofilms assessed in the current study proved to be extremely active microbial consortia. High bacterial numbers were recovered by cultivation, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila, intestinal enterococci and Clostridium perfringens. There were no Legionella spp. detected in any biofilm sample. Emergence of opportunistic pathogens in biofilms was not significantly affected by the surface material, but by the treatment process. Implementation of a water safety plan encompassing measures to prevent microbial contamination and to control biofouling would be appropriate.

ACS Style

A. Farkas; M. Drägan-Bularda; D. Ciatarâş; B. Bocoş; S. Tigan. Opportunistic pathogens and faecal indicators in drinking water associated biofilms in Cluj, Romania. Journal of Water and Health 2012, 10, 471 -483.

AMA Style

A. Farkas, M. Drägan-Bularda, D. Ciatarâş, B. Bocoş, S. Tigan. Opportunistic pathogens and faecal indicators in drinking water associated biofilms in Cluj, Romania. Journal of Water and Health. 2012; 10 (3):471-483.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Farkas; M. Drägan-Bularda; D. Ciatarâş; B. Bocoş; S. Tigan. 2012. "Opportunistic pathogens and faecal indicators in drinking water associated biofilms in Cluj, Romania." Journal of Water and Health 10, no. 3: 471-483.

Book chapter
Published: 16 May 2012 in Ecological Water Quality - Water Treatment and Reuse
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ACS Style

Anca Farkas; Dorin Ciataras; Brandussa Bocos. Biofilms Impact on Drinking Water Quality. Ecological Water Quality - Water Treatment and Reuse 2012, 1 .

AMA Style

Anca Farkas, Dorin Ciataras, Brandussa Bocos. Biofilms Impact on Drinking Water Quality. Ecological Water Quality - Water Treatment and Reuse. 2012; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anca Farkas; Dorin Ciataras; Brandussa Bocos. 2012. "Biofilms Impact on Drinking Water Quality." Ecological Water Quality - Water Treatment and Reuse , no. : 1.