Open AccessA study on Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus isolates from Northeastern Thailand: Identification, antibacterial activity, and association with entomopathogenic nematode hosts
Author(s) -
Thatcha Yimthin,
Chamaiporn Fukruksa,
Paramaporn Muangpat,
Abdulhakam Dumidae,
Wandee Wattanachaiyingcharoen,
Apichat Vitta,
Aunchalee Thanwisai
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0255943
Subject(s) - photorhabdus luminescens , photorhabdus , xenorhabdus , biology , heterorhabditis , microbiology and biotechnology , entomopathogenic nematode , heterorhabditis bacteriophora , symbiotic bacteria , nematode , bacteria , symbiosis , genetics , ecology
Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus are gram negative bacteria that can produce several secondary metabolites, including antimicrobial compounds. They have a symbiotic association with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus species and their associated nematode symbionts from Northeastern region of Thailand. We also evaluated the antibacterial activity of these symbiotic bacteria. The recovery rate of EPNs was 7.82% (113/1445). A total of 62 Xenorhabdus and 51 Photorhabdus strains were isolated from the EPNs. Based on recA sequencing and phylogeny, Xenorhabdus isolates were identified as X . stockiae (n = 60), X . indica (n = 1) and X . eapokensis (n = 1). Photorhabdus isolates were identified as P . luminescens subsp. akhurstii (n = 29), P . luminescens subsp. hainanensis (n = 18), P . luminescens subsp. laumondii (n = 2), and P . asymbiotica subsp. australis (n = 2). The EPNs based on 28S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis were identified as Steinernema surkhetense (n = 35), S . sangi (n = 1), unidentified Steinernema (n = 1), Heterorhabditis indica (n = 39), H . baujardi (n = 1), and Heterorhabditis sp. SGmg3 (n = 3). Antibacterial activity showed that X . stockiae (bMSK7.5_TH) extract inhibited several antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on mutualistic association between P . luminescens subsp. laumondii and Heterorhabditis sp. SGmg3. This study could act as a platform for future studies focusing on the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds from these bacterial isolates.