Ecophysiological Profiling of Ignatzschineria larvae Isolated from an Aquatic Insect: pH, Salinity, Thermal, Radiation, and Antibiotic Tolerance

Year 2026, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 159 - 168, 24.03.2026

Mehmet Bektaş , Figen Orhan , Özlem Bariş

https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1783872

https://izlik.org/JA23SF99FA

Abstract

Ignatzschineria larvae are a recently characterized bacterium with limited ecophysiological data and are proposed as a potential microbial biomarker for insect colonization. We isolated I. larvae (strain MW602513) from the gut of an aquatic insect and assessed their tolerance and antibiotic susceptibility (Kirby-Bauer, CLSI/EUCAST) to pH (3-11), NaCl salinity (0.5-10 %), temperature (4-55°C) and ultraviolet radiation. Inhibition zones were interpreted according to current breakpoints. The isolate exhibited robust growth at pH 6-7, low salinity (≤ 2%) and moderate temperatures (30-37°C); there was no growth at 10°C or 50-55°C, and a significant growth reduction was observed at ≥ 5% NaCl. Bacteria were observed to not grow under UV radiation applied for 5 minutes. Resistance to various antibiotic groups tested was observed. The results demonstrate that the bacteria can adapt to mesophilic environments with low salinity and neutral to alkaline pH, highlighting their ecological resilience and potential impact on ecosystems.

Keywords

Aquatic Edible Insects , Biomarkers , Gut Microbiota , Ignatzcshineria larvae

Ethical Statement

The study is complied with research and publication ethics.

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to the Eastern Anatolia High Technology Application and Research Centre (DAYTAM) at Atatürk University for allowing us to utilise their microscope and for their assistance with certain tests.

References

• P. Ray, Y. L. Manach, B. Riou, T. T. Houle, and D. S. Warner, "Statistical evaluation of a biomarker," Annb Franç. de Méd. D'Urg., vol. 112, pp.1023-1040, 2010.
• C. T. Harrington, N. Al Hafid, and K. A. Waters, "Butyrylcholinesterase is a potential biomarker for sudden infant death syndrome," eBioMedicine, vol. 80, pp. 104041, 2022.
• J. J. Brocks, G. D. Love, R. E. Summons, A. H. Knoll, G. A. Logan, and S. A. Bowden, "Biomarker evidence for green and purple sulphur bacteria in a stratified Palaeoproterozoic sea," Nature, vol. 437, pp. 866–870, 2005.
• X. Yan, M. Yang, J. Liu, R. Gao, J. Hu, J. Li, L. Zhang, Y. Shi, H. Guo, J. Cheng, M. Razi, S. Pang, X. Yu, and S. Hu, "Discovery and validation of potential bacterial biomarkers for lung cancer," Ame. J. Can. Res., vol. 5, pp. 3111-3122, 2015.
• S. Macevicz, and G. Oster, "Modeling social insect populations II: Optimal reproductive strategies in annual eusocial insect colonies," Beh. Eco. Soc., vol. 1, pp. 265-282, 1976.
• B. Rodriguez-Brito, L. Li, L. Wegley, M. Furlan, F. Angly, M. Breitbart, J. Buchanan, C. Desnues, E. Dinsdale, R. Edwards, B. Felts, M. Haynes, H. Liu, D. Lipson, J. Mahaffy, A. B. Martin-Cuadrado, A. Mira, J. Nulton, L. Pašić, S. Rayhawk, R. Rodriguez-Mueller, F.
• J. S. Cory, and J. H. Myers, "Direct and indirect ecological effects of biological control," Trends in Eco, Evo, vol. 15, pp. 137-139, 2000.
• J. Yao, F. Colas, A. G. Solimini, T. J. Battin, S. Gafny, M. Morais, M. Á. Puig, E. Martí, M.T. Pusch, C. Voreadou, F. Sabater, F. Julien, J. M. Sánchez-Pérez, S. Sauvage, P. Vervier, and M. Gerino, "Macroinvertebrate community traits and nitrate removal in stream sediments," Fresh. Bio., vol. 62, pp. 929-944, 2017.
• M. Bektaş, F. Orhan, Ö. K. Erman, and Ö. Barış, "Bacterial microbiota on digestive structure of Cybister lateralimarginalis torquatus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1829) (Dytiscidae: Coleoptera)," Arc. of Mic., vol. 203, pp. 635-641, 2021.
• M. Bektaş, "Gut Microbiota and Accumulation of Heavy Metals: A New Study of Water Scorpions (Hemiptera: Nepidae)," Pol. J. Env. Stu., vol. 31, pp. 4019-4028, 2022.
• M. Bektaş, F. Orhan, and Ö. Barış, "Isolation of Biological Control Agents and Biotechnological Bacteria from Aquatic Insect Gut Microbiota (Coleoptera: Helophoridae, Hydrophilidae)," Bio. Bul., vol. 49, pp. 596-608, 2022.
• R. Liu, Y. Zhang, R. Ding, D. Li, Y. Gao, and M. Yang, "Comparison of archaeal and bacterial community structures in heavily oil-contaminated and pristine soils," J. Biosci. Bioeng., vol. 108, pp. 400-407, 2009.
• E. M. Wellington, A. B. Boxall, P. Cross, E. J. Feil, W. H. Gaze, P. M. Hawkey, A. S. Johnson-Rollings, D. L. Jones, N. M. Lee, and R. C. Otten Wicklein, J. W. Schell, "Case studies of multidisciplinary approaches to integrating mathematics, science, & technology education," J. Tech. Edu., vol. 6, Spring, 1995.
• A. Walusansa, S. Asiimwe, J. Nakavuma, J. Ssenku, E. Katuura, H. Kafeero, A. Nabatanzi, G. Anywar, A. K. Tugume, and E. K. Kakudidi, "Antibiotic-resistance in medically important bacteria isolated from commercial herbal medicines in Africa from 2000 to 2021: a systematic review and metal analysis," Antimic. Res. Inf. Cont., vol. 11, pp. 1-20, 2022.
• M. Stracy, O. Snitser, I. Yelin, Y. Amer, M. Parizade, R. Katz, A. Yara, G. Rimler, T. Wolf, E. Herzel, G. Koren, J. Kuint, B. Foxman, G. Chodick, and R. Shalev-Kishony, "Minimizing treatment induced emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections," Science, vol. 375, pp. 889-894, 2022.
• M. Šolić, and N. Krstulović, "Separate and combined effects of solar radiation, temperature, salinity and pH on the survival of faecal coliforms in seawater," Mar. Poll. Bull., vol. 24, pp. 411-416, 1992.
• S. I. Miller, and N. R. Salama, "The gram-negative bacterial periplasm: Size matters," PLoS Bio., vol. 16, pp. e2004935, 2018.
• D. Öztürk, Ş. Yapıcıer, Ö. Şababoğlu, E. M. Kaya, F. Pehlivanoğlu, and H. Türütoğlu, "The antibiotic Resistance of Gram Negative Bacteria Isolated from Bovine mastitis," Van Vet. J., vol. 30, pp. 85-89, 2019.
• E. M. Tóth, A. K. Borsodi, J. P. Euzeby, B. J. Tindall, and K. Marialigeti, "Proposal to replace the illegitimate genus name Schineria Toth et al. 2001 with the genus name Ignatzschineria gen. nov. and to replace the illegitimate combination Schineria larvae Toth et al. 2001 with Ignatzschineria larvae comb. nov.," Int. J. Sys. Evo. Mic., vol. 57, pp. 179-180, 2007.
• A. K. Gupta, M. S. Dharne, A. Y. Rangrez, P. Verma, H. V. Ghate, M. Rohde, M. S. Shivaji Patole, and Y. S. Shouche, "Ignatzschineria indica sp. nov. and Ignatzschineria ureiclastica sp. nov., isolated from adult flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)," Inter. J. Sys. Evo. Mic., vol. 61, pp. 1360-1369, 2011.
• C. Le Brun, M. Gombert, S. Robert, E. Mercier, and P. Lanotte, "Association of necrotizing wounds colonized by maggots with Ignatzschineria–associated septicemia," Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 21, pp. 1881, 2015.
• S. F. Richard, "Thin-Layer chromatography in the study of entomology," Prac. Thin. Lay. Chro., vol. 1, pp. 71-104, 2017.
• P. P. Sikorowski, and A. M. Lawrence, "Microbial contamination and insect rearing," Ame. Entomo., vol. 40, pp. 240-253, 1994.
• L. J. Mead, G. G. Khachatourians, and G. A. Jones, "Microbial ecology of the gut in laboratory stocks of the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fab.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)," App. Env. Mic., vol. 54 (5), pp. 1174-1181, 1988.
• M. Davies, "Isolation and characterisation of bacteria associated with flying insects in hospitals, with particular emphasis on Clostridium difficile," Doctoral dissertation, Aston University, 2015.
• F. Orhan, M. Bektaş, and Ö. Baris, "Isolation and Identification of Potential Pathogenic Bacteria on Aquatic Insects-An Example Study of Environmental Microbiology in Türkiye (Erzurum Province)," App. Eco. Env. Res., vol. 23, pp. 1293-1305, 2025.
• E. A. Tendencia, "Disk diffusion method. Laboratory manual of standardized methods for antimicrobial sensitivity tests for bacteria isolated from aquatic animals and environment," SEAFDEC/AQD Inst. Repo., vol. 1, pp. 13-29, 2004.
• B. J. Harrington, and M. Valigosky, "Monitoring ultraviolet lamps in biological safety cabinets with cultures of standard bacterial strains on TSA blood agar," Lab. Med., vol. 38, pp. 165-168, 2007.
• F. Cabreiro, and D. Gems, "Worms need microbes too: microbiota, health and aging in Caenorhabditis elegans," EMBO Mol. Med., vol. 5, pp. 1300–1310, 2013.
• R. J. Dillon, and V. M. Dillon, "The gut bacteria of insects: nonpathogenic interactions," Ann. Rev. Ent., vol. 49, pp. 71–92, 2004.
• C. Dale, and N. A. Moran, "Molecular Interactions between Bacterial Symbionts and Their Hosts," Cell, vol. 126, pp. 453–465, 2006.
• A. E. Douglas, "Nutritional interactions in insect-microbial symbioses: aphids and their symbiotic bacteria Buchnera", Ann. Rev. Ent., vol. 43, pp. 17–37, 1998.
• N. Segata, F. Baldini, J. Pompon, W. S. Garrett, D. T. Truong, R. K. Dabiré, A. Diabaté, E. A. Levashina, and F. Catteruccia, "The reproductive tracts of two malaria vectors are populated by a core microbiome and by gender and swarm-enriched microbial biomarkers," Sci. Rep., vol. 6, pp. 24207, 2016.
• World Health Organization, "WHO bacterial priority pathogens list, 2024: bacterial pathogens of public health importance, to guide research, development, and strategies to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance," World Health Organization, 2024.
• C. L. Ventola, "The antibiotic resistance crisis: part 1: causes and threats," Pharm. Ther., vol. 40, pp. 277, 2015.
• R. Laxminarayan, A. Duse, C. Wattal, A. K. Zaidi, H. F. Wertheim, N. Sumpradit, E. Vlieghe, G. L. Hara, I. M. Gould, H. Goossens, C. Greko, A. So, M. Bigdeli, G. Tomson, W. Woodhousen, E. Ombaka, A. Q. Peralta, F. N. Qamar, F. Mir, S. Kariuki, Z. A. Bhutta, A. Coates, R. Bergstrom, G. D. Wright, E. D. Brown, and O. Cars, "Antibiotic resistance—the need for global solutions," The Lanc. Inf. Dise., vol. 13 (12), pp. 1057-1098, 2013.
• E. M. Tóth, A. K. Borsodi, J. P. Euzéby, and K. Márialigeti, "Ignatzschineria larvae gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the larva of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)," Int. J. Sys. Evo. Mic., vol. 57 (4), pp. 1112–1115, 2007.
• J. M. Janda, and S. L. Abbott, "The genus Ignatzschineria: An emerging human pathogen of clinical importance," Diag. Mic. Inf. Dis., vol. 90 (2), pp. 109–115, 2018.
• N. Mielke, F. N. U. Monika, S. J. Cavalieri, and M. Velagapudi, "Ignatzschineria larvae bacteremia in a Myiatic Wound Infection: A Case Report. Ann. Int. Med.: Clin. Cases," vol. 4, pp. e241126, 2025.
• K. Maniam, and S. Argentine, "A case of sepsis due to a rare carbapenem-resistant Ignatzschineria species," IDCases, vol. 27, pp. e01354, 2022.
• P. Gigante, G. Arcari, D. Ossola, B. Pennella, L. Guasti, F. Novazzi, M. Carbotti, G. Cassani, D. Caleca, R. Capuano, R. Pasciuta, and N. Mancini, "Maggot-associated Ignatzschineria larvae Bacteremia: a case report," ASM Case Rep., vol. 1, pp. e00113-24, 2025.
• T. Dildar, W. Cui, M. Ikhwanuddin, and H. Ma, "Aquatic Organisms in Response to Salinity Stress: Ecological Impacts, Adaptive Mechanisms, and Resilience Strategies," Biology, vol. 14 (6), pp. 667, 2025.
• A. K. Wani, N. Akhtar, F. Sher, A. A. Navarrete, and J. H. P. Américo-Pinheiro, "Microbial adaptation to different environmental conditions: molecular perspective of evolved genetic and cellular systems," Arch. Mic., vol. 204, pp. 144, 2022.
• X. An, Z. Wang, X. Teng, R. Zhou, X. Wang, M. Xu, and B. Lian, "Rhizosphere bacterial diversity and environmental function prediction of wild salt-tolerant plants in coastal silt soil," Eco. Ind., vol. 134, pp. 108503, 2022.
• A. Khan, G. Liu, G. Zhang, and X. Li, "Radiation-resistant bacteria in desiccated soil and their potentiality in applied sciences," Front. Mic., vol. 15, pp. 1348758, 2024.
• S. Demurtas, E. Pareti, and M. Madanchi, "Ignatzschineria larvae bacteremia in a Patient with Chronic Leg Ulcer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature," Cureus, vol. 15, pp. e36612, 2023.
• M. L. Johnson, B. Kennedy, and P.A. Santos, "A confirmed case of Ignatzschineria larvae bacteremia from a myiatic wound infection in Kentucky," AIM Clin Cases, vol. 2, pp. e221081, 2023.
• S. R. Do, S. Mitra, C.C. Garces, and F. Anwar, "Ignatzschineria spp. bacteremia from maggot infestation," IDCases, vol. 7, pp. e01151, 2021.