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Wang S, Suluku R, Jalloh MB, Samba AF, Jiang B, Xie Y, Harding D, Zhang M, Sahr F, Sesay ME, Squire JS, Vandi MA, Kallon MN, Zhang S, Hu R, Zhao Y, Mi Z. Molecular characterization of an outbreak-involved Bacillus anthracis strain confirms the spillover of anthrax from West Africa. Infect Dis Poverty 2024; 13:6. [PMID: 38221635 PMCID: PMC10788998 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01172-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, remains a major global public health concern, especially in countries with limited resources. Sierra Leone, a West African country historically plagued by anthrax, has almost been out of report on this disease in recent decades. In this study, we described a large-scale anthrax outbreak affecting both animals and humans and attempted to characterize the pathogen using molecular techniques. METHODS The causative agent of the animal outbreak in Port Loko District, Sierra Leone, between March and May 2022 was identified using the nanopore sequencing technique. A nationwide active surveillance was implemented from May 2022 to June 2023 to monitor the occurrence of anthrax-specific symptoms in humans. Suspected cases were subsequently verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Full-genome sequencing was accomplished by combining long-read and short-read sequencing methods. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis was performed based on the full-chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS The outbreak in Port Loko District, Sierra Leone, led to the death of 233 animals between March 26th and May 16th, 2022. We ruled out the initial suspicion of Anaplasma species and successfully identified B. anthracis as the causative agent of the outbreak. As a result of the government's prompt response, out of the 49 suspected human cases identified during the one-year active surveillance, only 6 human cases tested positive, all within the first month after the official declaration of the outbreak. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the BaSL2022 isolate responsible for the outbreak was positioned in the A.Br.153 clade within the TransEuroAsian group of B. anthracis. CONCLUSIONS We successfully identified a large-scale anthrax outbreak in Sierra Leone. The causative isolate of B. anthracis, BaSL2022, phylogenetically bridged other lineages in A.Br.153 clade and neighboring genetic groups, A.Br.144 and A.Br.148, eventually confirming the spillover of anthrax from West Africa. Given the wide dissemination of B. anthracis spores, it is highly advisable to effectively monitor the potential reoccurrence of anthrax outbreaks and to launch campaigns to improve public awareness regarding anthrax in Sierra Leone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuchao Wang
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Roland Suluku
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Njala University, Njala, Sierra Leone.
| | - Mohamed B Jalloh
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Ahmed F Samba
- Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Baogui Jiang
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 East Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Yubiao Xie
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Doris Harding
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Foday Sahr
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Mahmud E Sesay
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Njala University, Njala, Sierra Leone
| | - James S Squire
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Moinina N Kallon
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Njala University, Njala, Sierra Leone
| | - Shoufeng Zhang
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Rongliang Hu
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Yuee Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 East Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Mi
- Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20 East Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, China.
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Ma S, Cao J, Liliu R, Li N, Zhao J, Zhang H, Chen W, Zhai Q. Effects of Bacillus coagulans as an adjunct starter culture on yogurt quality and storage. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:7466-7479. [PMID: 33896630 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus coagulans has been widely studied for its probiotic properties. Therefore, identifying a strain that can be used as an adjunct starter culture for yogurt production would have commercial value. In this study, 30 B. coagulans strains were isolated from vegetable samples from 11 provinces or autonomous regions in China, and their pan-genomic and phylogenetic characteristics were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis categorized 30 strains into 4 different subphylotypes, including subtype I (11 isolates), subtype II (7 isolates), subtype III (11 isolates), and subtype IV (1 isolate). Four B. coagulans strains (B. coagulans-70, B. coagulans-78, B. coagulans-79, and B. coagulans-100) were randomly selected from each subphylotype of the phylogenetic tree as adjunct starter cultures. Compared with the other tested strains, B. coagulans-70 showed the highest count in yogurt at the end of the manufacturing period. Comparative genome analysis indicated that the different bacterial levels of B. coagulans strains in yogurt may be associated with the abundance of genes related to carbohydrate transport and metabolism (e.g., sucrose utilization). Finally, differences in texture and volatile flavor compound profiles were observed between the yogurt samples. Compared with the other groups, the addition of B. coagulans-70 exerted a positive effect on the appearance and texture of yogurt products. Volatile analysis showed increased quantities of 2-heptanone, 2-nonanone, amyl alcohol, and 2-hydroxy-3-pentanone in the B. coagulans-70 group compared with control yogurts. These results above combined with the results of a sensory evaluation indicated that B. coagulans-70 is the most suitable strain for further use in functional dairy product development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenyan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Dairy Biotechnology, Dairy Research Institute, Bright Dairy & Food Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200436, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Jiang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Ruolan Liliu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Dairy Biotechnology, Dairy Research Institute, Bright Dairy & Food Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200436, China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; Wuxi Translational Medicine Research Center and Jiangsu Translational Medicine Research Institute Wuxi Branch, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Qixiao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China.
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Comparative genomics and pangenome-oriented studies reveal high homogeneity of the agronomically relevant enterobacterial plant pathogen Dickeya solani. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:449. [PMID: 32600255 PMCID: PMC7325237 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06863-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dickeya solani is an important plant pathogenic bacterium causing severe losses in European potato production. This species draws a lot of attention due to its remarkable virulence, great devastating potential and easier spread in contrast to other Dickeya spp. In view of a high need for extensive studies on economically important soft rot Pectobacteriaceae, we performed a comparative genomics analysis on D. solani strains to search for genetic foundations that would explain the differences in the observed virulence levels within the D. solani population. Results High quality assemblies of 8 de novo sequenced D. solani genomes have been obtained. Whole-sequence comparison, ANIb, ANIm, Tetra and pangenome-oriented analyses performed on these genomes and the sequences of 14 additional strains revealed an exceptionally high level of homogeneity among the studied genetic material of D. solani strains. With the use of 22 genomes, the pangenome of D. solani, comprising 84.7% core, 7.2% accessory and 8.1% unique genes, has been almost completely determined, suggesting the presence of a nearly closed pangenome structure. Attribution of the genes included in the D. solani pangenome fractions to functional COG categories showed that higher percentages of accessory and unique pangenome parts in contrast to the core section are encountered in phage/mobile elements- and transcription- associated groups with the genome of RNS 05.1.2A strain having the most significant impact. Also, the first D. solani large-scale genome-wide phylogeny computed on concatenated core gene alignments is herein reported. Conclusions The almost closed status of D. solani pangenome achieved in this work points to the fact that the unique gene pool of this species should no longer expand. Such a feature is characteristic of taxa whose representatives either occupy isolated ecological niches or lack efficient mechanisms for gene exchange and recombination, which seems rational concerning a strictly pathogenic species with clonal population structure. Finally, no obvious correlations between the geographical origin of D. solani strains and their phylogeny were found, which might reflect the specificity of the international seed potato market.
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Anani H, Zgheib R, Hasni I, Raoult D, Fournier PE. Interest of bacterial pangenome analyses in clinical microbiology. Microb Pathog 2020; 149:104275. [PMID: 32562810 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Thanks to the progress and decreasing costs in genome sequencing technologies, more than 250,000 bacterial genomes are currently available in public databases, covering most, if not all, of the major human-associated phylogenetic groups of these microorganisms, pathogenic or not. In addition, for many of them, sequences from several strains of a given species are available, thus enabling to evaluate their genetic diversity and study their evolution. In addition, the significant cost reduction of bacterial whole genome sequencing as well as the rapid increase in the number of available bacterial genomes have prompted the development of pangenomic software tools. The study of bacterial pangenome has many applications in clinical microbiology. It can unveil the pathogenic potential and ability of bacteria to resist antimicrobials as well identify specific sequences and predict antigenic epitopes that allow molecular or serologic assays and vaccines to be designed. Bacterial pangenome constitutes a powerful method for understanding the history of human bacteria and relating these findings to diagnosis in clinical microbiology laboratories in order to optimize patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Anani
- Aix Marseille Univ, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Service de Santé des Armées, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Rita Zgheib
- Aix Marseille Univ, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Service de Santé des Armées, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Issam Hasni
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR Microbes Evolution Phylogeny and Infections (MEPHI), Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR Microbes Evolution Phylogeny and Infections (MEPHI), Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Marseille, France; Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Aix Marseille Univ, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Service de Santé des Armées, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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Bioinformatics for Marine Products: An Overview of Resources, Bottlenecks, and Perspectives. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17100576. [PMID: 31614509 PMCID: PMC6835618 DOI: 10.3390/md17100576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The sea represents a major source of biodiversity. It exhibits many different ecosystems in a huge variety of environmental conditions where marine organisms have evolved with extensive diversification of structures and functions, making the marine environment a treasure trove of molecules with potential for biotechnological applications and innovation in many different areas. Rapid progress of the omics sciences has revealed novel opportunities to advance the knowledge of biological systems, paving the way for an unprecedented revolution in the field and expanding marine research from model organisms to an increasing number of marine species. Multi-level approaches based on molecular investigations at genomic, metagenomic, transcriptomic, metatranscriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels are essential to discover marine resources and further explore key molecular processes involved in their production and action. As a consequence, omics approaches, accompanied by the associated bioinformatic resources and computational tools for molecular analyses and modeling, are boosting the rapid advancement of biotechnologies. In this review, we provide an overview of the most relevant bioinformatic resources and major approaches, highlighting perspectives and bottlenecks for an appropriate exploitation of these opportunities for biotechnology applications from marine resources.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The clostridia cause a spectrum of diseases in humans and animals ranging from life-threatening tetanus and botulism, uterine infections, histotoxic infections and enteric diseases, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and food poisoning. The symptoms of all these diseases are the result of potent protein toxins produced by these organisms. These toxins are diverse, ranging from a multitude of pore-forming toxins to phospholipases, metalloproteases, ADP-ribosyltransferases and large glycosyltransferases. The location of the toxin genes is the unifying theme of this review because with one or two exceptions they are all located on plasmids or on bacteriophage that replicate using a plasmid-like intermediate. Some of these plasmids are distantly related whilst others share little or no similarity. Many of these toxin plasmids have been shown to be conjugative. The mobile nature of these toxin genes gives a ready explanation of how clostridial toxin genes have been so widely disseminated both within the clostridial genera as well as in the wider bacterial community.
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Inglin RC, Meile L, Stevens MJA. Clustering of Pan- and Core-genome of Lactobacillus provides Novel Evolutionary Insights for Differentiation. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:284. [PMID: 29690879 PMCID: PMC5937832 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial taxonomy aims to classify bacteria based on true evolutionary events and relies on a polyphasic approach that includes phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses. Until now, complete genomes are largely ignored in taxonomy. The genus Lactobacillus consists of 173 species and many genomes are available to study taxonomy and evolutionary events. Results We analyzed and clustered 98 completely sequenced genomes of the genus Lactobacillus and 234 draft genomes of 5 different Lactobacillus species, i.e. L. reuteri, L. delbrueckii, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and L. helveticus. The core-genome of the genus Lactobacillus contains 266 genes and the pan-genome 20′800 genes. Clustering of the Lactobacillus pan- and core-genome resulted in two highly similar trees. This shows that evolutionary history is traceable in the core-genome and that clustering of the core-genome is sufficient to explore relationships. Clustering of core- and pan-genomes at species’ level resulted in similar trees as well. Detailed analyses of the core-genomes showed that the functional class “genetic information processing” is conserved in the core-genome but that “signaling and cellular processes” is not. The latter class encodes functions that are involved in environmental interactions. Evolution of lactobacilli seems therefore directed by the environment. The type species L. delbrueckii was analyzed in detail and its pan-genome based tree contained two major clades whose members contained different genes yet identical functions. In addition, evidence for horizontal gene transfer between strains of L. delbrueckii, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus, and between species of the genus Lactobacillus is presented. Our data provide evidence for evolution of some lactobacilli according to a parapatric-like model for species differentiation. Conclusions Core-genome trees are useful to detect evolutionary relationships in lactobacilli and might be useful in taxonomic analyses. Lactobacillus’ evolution is directed by the environment and HGT. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4601-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffael C Inglin
- Laboratory of Food Biotechnology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leo Meile
- Laboratory of Food Biotechnology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marc J A Stevens
- Laboratory of Food Biotechnology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.,Present address: Institute for Food Hygiene and Safety, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 272, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Bacteria and archaea, collectively known as prokaryotes, have in general genomes that are much smaller than those of eukaryotes. As a result, thousands of these genomes have been sequenced. In prokaryotes, gene architecture lacks the intron-exon structure of eukaryotic genes (with an occasional exception). These two facts mean that there is an abundance of data for prokaryotic genomes, and that they are easier to study than the more complex eukaryotic genomes. In this chapter, we provide an overview of genome comparison tools that have been developed primarily (sometimes exclusively) for prokaryotic genomes. We cover methods that use only the DNA sequences, methods that use only the gene content, and methods that use both data types.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C Setubal
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Nalvo F Almeida
- School of Computing, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Alice R Wattam
- Biocomplexity Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Evolutionary processes and environmental factors underlying the genetic diversity and lifestyles of Bacillus cereus group bacteria. Res Microbiol 2017; 168:309-318. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Vergnaud G, Girault G, Thierry S, Pourcel C, Madani N, Blouin Y. Comparison of French and Worldwide Bacillus anthracis Strains Favors a Recent, Post-Columbian Origin of the Predominant North-American Clade. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146216. [PMID: 26901621 PMCID: PMC4763433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bacillus anthracis, the highly dangerous zoonotic bacterial pathogen species is currently composed of three genetic groups, called A, B and C. Group A is represented worldwide whereas group B is present essentially in Western Europe and Southern Africa. Only three strains from group C have been reported. This knowledge is derived from the genotyping of more than 2000 strains collected worldwide. Strains from both group A and group B are present in France. Previous investigations showed that the majority of sporadic French strains belong to the so-called A.Br.011/009 group A clade and define a very remarkable polytomy with six branches. Here we explore the significance of this polytomy by comparing the French B. anthracis lineages to worldwide lineages. We take advantage of whole genome sequence data previously determined for 122 French strains and 45 strains of various origins. Results A total of 6690 SNPs was identified among the available dataset and used to draw the phylogeny. The phylogeny of the French B group strains which belongs to B.Br.CNEVA indicates an expansion from the south-east part of France (the Alps) towards the south-west (Massif-Central and Pyrenees). The relatively small group A strains belonging to A.Br.001/002 results from at least two independent introductions. Strikingly, the data clearly demonstrates that the currently predominant B. anthracis lineage in North America, called WNA for Western North American, is derived from one branch of the A.Br.011/009 polytomy predominant in France. Conclusions/Significance The present work extends the range of observed substitution rate heterogeneity within B. anthracis, in agreement with its ecology and in contrast with some other pathogens. The population structure of the six branches A.Br.011/009 polytomy identified in France, diversity of branch length, and comparison with the WNA lineage, suggests that WNA is of post-Columbian and west European origin, with France as a likely source. Furthermore, it is tempting to speculate that the polytomy’s most recent common ancestor -MRCA- dates back to the Hundred Years' war between France and England started in the mid-fourteenth century. These events were associated in France with deadly epidemics and major economic and social changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Vergnaud
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris‐Sud, Université Paris‐Saclay, Gif‐sur‐Yvette, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Guillaume Girault
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Anses, University Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Simon Thierry
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Anses, University Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christine Pourcel
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris‐Sud, Université Paris‐Saclay, Gif‐sur‐Yvette, France
| | - Nora Madani
- Bacterial Zoonoses Unit, Animal Health Laboratory, Anses, University Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Yann Blouin
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris‐Sud, Université Paris‐Saclay, Gif‐sur‐Yvette, France
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Pullan ST, Pearson TR, Latham J, Mason J, Atkinson B, Silman NJ, Marston CK, Sahl JW, Birdsell D, Hoffmaster AR, Keim P, Vipond R. Whole-genome sequencing investigation of animal-skin-drum-associated UK anthrax cases reveals evidence of mixed populations and relatedness to a US case. Microb Genom 2015; 1:e000039. [PMID: 28348823 PMCID: PMC5320680 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been two anthrax cases affecting people that played and/or made animal-skin drums in the UK during the last 10 years, with single fatal occurrences in Scotland in 2006 and London in 2008. Investigations by the Health Protection Agency (now Public Health England) employing multi-locus-variable number tandem repeat analysis had previously linked the clinical cases to spores associated with animal skins and drums the patients had been in contact with. In this study, whole-genome sequencing of 23 Bacillus anthracis isolates harvested during the investigations was performed. High-quality draft assemblies of these genomes provided greater characterization of the B. anthracis strains present and placed them all upon a new branch of the global phylogeny. Although closely related, the clinical isolates from the two events, and another isolated from a drum-skin-associated case in New York in 2006, were distinct from each other. Multiple distinct genotypes were found during both investigations, implying either multiple contamination events or a single heterogeneous contamination. One environmental isolate from the Scottish incident was more closely related to London isolates than to the other Scottish isolates. As B. anthracis of this subgroup was present at both geographically and temporally distinct events, it may be more widespread at the source of contamination. All isolates were distinct from currently characterized West African strains, despite this being the likely origin of the drums and hides, therefore adding to our knowledge of B. anthracis diversity in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Pullan
- Public Health England, Microbiology Services, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Talima R Pearson
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Jennie Latham
- Public Health England, Microbiology Services, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Joanne Mason
- Public Health England, Microbiology Services, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Barry Atkinson
- Public Health England, Microbiology Services, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Nigel J Silman
- Public Health England, Microbiology Services, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Chung K Marston
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jason W Sahl
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Dawn Birdsell
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Alex R Hoffmaster
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paul Keim
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Richard Vipond
- Public Health England, Microbiology Services, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
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Caputo A, Merhej V, Georgiades K, Fournier PE, Croce O, Robert C, Raoult D. Pan-genomic analysis to redefine species and subspecies based on quantum discontinuous variation: the Klebsiella paradigm. Biol Direct 2015; 10:55. [PMID: 26420254 PMCID: PMC4588269 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-015-0085-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Various methods are currently used to define species and are based on the phylogenetic marker 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence, DNA-DNA hybridization and DNA GC content. However, these are restricted genetic tools and showed significant limitations. Results In this work, we describe an alternative method to build taxonomy by analyzing the pan-genome composition of different species of the Klebsiella genus. Klebsiella species are Gram-negative bacilli belonging to the large Enterobacteriaceae family. Interestingly, when comparing the core/pan-genome ratio; we found a clear discontinuous variation that can define a new species. Conclusions Using this pan-genomic approach, we showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. ozaenae and Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. rhinoscleromatis are species of the Klebsiella genus, rather than subspecies of Klebsiella pneumoniae. This pan-genomic analysis, helped to develop a new tool for defining species introducing a quantic perspective for taxonomy. Reviewers This article was reviewed by William Martin, Pierre Pontarotti and Pere Puigbo (nominated by Dr Yuri Wolf). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13062-015-0085-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélia Caputo
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278-IRD 198, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Vicky Merhej
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278-IRD 198, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Kalliopi Georgiades
- Departement of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537-1678, Nicosia Cyprus, Greece.
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278-IRD 198, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Olivier Croce
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278-IRD 198, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Catherine Robert
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278-IRD 198, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Didier Raoult
- URMITE, UMR CNRS 7278-IRD 198, Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
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