Next-generation sequencing and culture-based techniques offer complementary insights into fungi and prokaryotes in beach sands. Issue 1 (15th June 2017) - Romão, Daniela
Abstract: A next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach, in conjunction with culture-based methods, was used to examine fungal and prokaryotic communities for the presence of potential pathogens in beach sands throughout Portugal. Culture-based fungal enumeration revealed low and variable concentrations of the species targeted (yeasts and dermatophytes), which were underrepresented in the community characterized by NGS targeting the ITS1 region. Conversely, NGS indicated that the potentially pathogenic species Purpureocillium liliacinum comprised nearly the entire fungal community. Culturable fecal indicator bacterial concentrations were low throughout the study and unrelated to communities characterized by NGS. Notably, the prokaryotic communities characterized revealed a considerable abundance of archaea. Results highlight differences in communities between methods in beach sand monitoring but indicate the techniques offer complementary insights. Thus, there is a need to leverage culture-based methods with NGS methods, using a toolbox approach, to determine appropriate targets and metrics for beach sand monitoring to adequately protect public health. Highlights: Beach sands are reservoirs for fungal and bacterial pathogens. Potential fungal pathogens and fecal indicator bacteria were enumerated by culture. Culture-based were compared with next-generation sequencing characterization. Communities differed by method but may better characterize risk when taken together. Culture and sequence methods may be used together to find better monitoring targets.