1
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Wales A, Mackintosh A. JMM Profile: Bacillus anthracis. J Med Microbiol 2023; 72. [PMID: 37602808 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001747] [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] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Graphical abstract
Principal routes of
Bacillus anthracis
infection and stages of anthrax pathogenesis, consistent with current understandings. Depending on the route of infection, germination of spores may happen in extracellular tissue fluid, or following phagocytosis (a). Successful infection of host cells leads to toxin-associated cell death and release of vegetative cells and toxin (b). Toxin binds and enters other host cells (c), including those of the immune system, disrupting function. In some cases this leads to systemic disease, which typically is fatal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Wales
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Adrienne Mackintosh
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone Surrey, KT15 3LJ, UK
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2
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Identification of Universally Applicable and Species-Specific Marker Peptides for Bacillus anthracis. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12101549. [PMID: 36294983 PMCID: PMC9605612 DOI: 10.3390/life12101549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax is a zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis (BA). Specific identification of this pathogen often relies on targeting genes located on two extrachromosomal plasmids, which represent the major pathogenicity factors of BA. However, more recent findings show that these plasmids have also been found in other closely related Bacillus species. In this study, we investigated the possibility of identifying species-specific and universally applicable marker peptides for BA. For this purpose, we applied a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based approach for 42 BA isolates. Along with the genomic sequencing data and by developing a bioinformatics data evaluation pipeline, which uses a database containing most of the publicly available protein sequences worldwide (UniParc), we were able to identify eleven universal marker peptides unique to BA. These markers are located on the chromosome and therefore, might overcome known problems, such as observable loss of plasmids in environmental species, plasmid loss during cultivation in the lab, and the fact that the virulence plasmids are not necessarily a unique feature of BA. The identified chromosomally encoded markers in this study could extend the small panel of already existing chromosomal targets and along with targets for the virulence plasmids, may pave the way to an even more reliable identification of BA using genomics- as well as proteomics-based techniques.
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3
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Yadav U, Abbas Z, Butcher RJ, Patra AK. A luminescent terbium( iii) probe as an efficient ‘Turn-ON’ sensor for dipicolinic acid, a Bacillus Anthracis biomarker. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj03437a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This work drives the potential of lanthanide luminescence in the quantification and detection of the B. Anthracis bacterial spore by targeting dipicolinic acid (DPA), a principal component of anthrax spores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Zafar Abbas
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ray J. Butcher
- Department of Chemistry, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Ashis K. Patra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
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4
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Wang D, Chen G, Lyu Y, Feng E, Zhu L, Pan C, Zhang W, Liu X, Wang H. A CRISPR/Cas12a-based DNAzyme visualization system for rapid, non-electrically dependent detection of Bacillus anthracis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 11:428-437. [PMID: 34842509 PMCID: PMC8812752 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.2012091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
As next-generation pathogen detection methods, CRISPR-Cas-based detection methods can perform single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) level detection with high sensitivity and good specificity. They do not require any particular equipment, which opens up new possibilities for the accurate detection and identification of Bacillus anthracis. In this study, we developed a complete detection system for B. anthracis based on Cas12a. We used two chromosomally located SNP targets and two plasmid targets to identify B. anthracis with high accuracy. The CR5 target is completely new. The entire detection process can be completed within 90 min without electrical power and with single-copy level sensitivity. We also developed an unaided-eye visualization system based on G4-DNAzyme for use with our CRISPR-Cas12a detection system. This visualization system has good prospects for deployment in field-based point-of-care detection. We used the antisense nucleic acid CatG4R as the detection probe, which showed stronger resistance to interference from components of the solution. CatG4R can also be designed as an RNA molecule for adaptation to Cas13a detection, thereby broadening the scope of the detection system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongshu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Gang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yufei Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Erling Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Weicai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Xiankai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hengliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China
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5
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Solano MI, Woolfitt AR, Boyer AE, Lins RC, Isbell K, Gallegos-Candela M, Moura H, Pierce CL, Barr JR. Accurate and selective quantification of anthrax protective antigen in plasma by immunocapture and isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Analyst 2019; 144:2264-2274. [PMID: 30810119 PMCID: PMC7015108 DOI: 10.1039/c8an02479k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax protective antigen (83 kDa, PA83) is an essential component of two major binary toxins produced by Bacillus anthracis, lethal toxin (LTx) and edema toxin (ETx). During infection, LTx and ETx contribute to immune collapse, endothelial dysfunction, hemorrhage and high mortality. Following protease cleavage on cell receptors or in circulation, the 20 kDa (PA20) N-terminus is released, activating the 63 kDa (PA63) form which binds lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF), facilitating their entry into their cellular targets. Several ELISA-based PA methods previously developed are primarily qualitative or semi-quantitative. Here, we combined protein immunocapture, tryptic digestion and isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), to develop a highly selective and sensitive method for detection and accurate quantification of total-PA (PA83 + PA63) and PA83. Two tryptic peptides in the 63 kDa region measure total-PA and three in the 20 kDa region measure PA83 alone. Detection limits range from 1.3-2.9 ng mL-1 PA in 100 μL of plasma. Spiked recovery experiments with combinations of PA83, PA63, LF and EF in plasma showed that PA63 and PA83 were quantified accurately against the PA83 standard and that LF and EF did not interfere with accuracy. Applied to a study of inhalation anthrax in rhesus macaques, total-PA suggested triphasic kinetics, similar to that previously observed for LF and EF. This study is the first to report circulating PA83 in inhalation anthrax, typically at less than 4% of the levels of PA63, providing the first evidence that activated PA63 is the primary form of PA throughout infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I Solano
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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Granger JH, Porter MD. The Case for Human Serum as a Highly Preferable Sample Matrix for Detection of Anthrax Toxins. ACS Sens 2018; 3:2303-2310. [PMID: 30350950 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes preliminary results on the surprising impact of human serum as a sample matrix on the detectability of protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF), two antigenic protein markers of Bacillus anthracis, in a heterogeneous immunometric assay. Two sample matrices were examined: human serum and physiological buffer. Human serum is used as a specimen in the diagnostic testing of potentially infected individuals. Physiological buffers are often applied to the recovery of biomarkers dispersed in suspicious white powders and other suspect specimens and as a serum diluent to combat contributions to the measured test response from nonspecific adsorption. The results of these experiments using a sandwich immunoassay read out by surface-enhanced Raman scattering yielded estimates for the limit of detection (LOD) for both markers when using spiked human serum that were remarkably lower than those of spiked physiological buffer (∼70,000× for PA and ∼25,000× for LF). The difference in LODs is attributed to a degradation in the effectiveness of the capture and/or labeling steps in the immunoassay due to the known propensity for both proteins to denature in buffer. These findings indicate that the use of physiological buffer for serum dilution or recovery from a powdered matrix is counter to the low-level detection of these two antigenic proteins. The potential implications of these results with respect to the ability to detect markers of other pathogenic agents are briefly discussed.
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Walper SA, Lasarte Aragonés G, Sapsford KE, Brown CW, Rowland CE, Breger JC, Medintz IL. Detecting Biothreat Agents: From Current Diagnostics to Developing Sensor Technologies. ACS Sens 2018; 3:1894-2024. [PMID: 30080029 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although a fundamental understanding of the pathogenicity of most biothreat agents has been elucidated and available treatments have increased substantially over the past decades, they still represent a significant public health threat in this age of (bio)terrorism, indiscriminate warfare, pollution, climate change, unchecked population growth, and globalization. The key step to almost all prevention, protection, prophylaxis, post-exposure treatment, and mitigation of any bioagent is early detection. Here, we review available methods for detecting bioagents including pathogenic bacteria and viruses along with their toxins. An introduction placing this subject in the historical context of previous naturally occurring outbreaks and efforts to weaponize selected agents is first provided along with definitions and relevant considerations. An overview of the detection technologies that find use in this endeavor along with how they provide data or transduce signal within a sensing configuration follows. Current "gold" standards for biothreat detection/diagnostics along with a listing of relevant FDA approved in vitro diagnostic devices is then discussed to provide an overview of the current state of the art. Given the 2014 outbreak of Ebola virus in Western Africa and the recent 2016 spread of Zika virus in the Americas, discussion of what constitutes a public health emergency and how new in vitro diagnostic devices are authorized for emergency use in the U.S. are also included. The majority of the Review is then subdivided around the sensing of bacterial, viral, and toxin biothreats with each including an overview of the major agents in that class, a detailed cross-section of different sensing methods in development based on assay format or analytical technique, and some discussion of related microfluidic lab-on-a-chip/point-of-care devices. Finally, an outlook is given on how this field will develop from the perspective of the biosensing technology itself and the new emerging threats they may face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Walper
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Guillermo Lasarte Aragonés
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- College of Science, George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Kim E. Sapsford
- OMPT/CDRH/OIR/DMD Bacterial Respiratory and Medical Countermeasures Branch, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, United States
| | - Carl W. Brown
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- College of Science, George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Clare E. Rowland
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- National Research Council, Washington, D.C. 20036, United States
| | - Joyce C. Breger
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Igor L. Medintz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
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8
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Lahousse M, Park HC, Lee SC, Ha NR, Jung IP, Schlesinger SR, Shackelford K, Yoon MY, Kim SK. Inhibition of anthrax lethal factor by ssDNA aptamers. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 646:16-23. [PMID: 29580944 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that is able to secrete the toxins protective antigen, edema factor and lethal factor. Due to the high level of secretion from the bacteria and its severe virulence, lethal factor (LF) has been sought as a biomarker for detecting bacterial infection and as an effective target to neutralize toxicity. In this study, we found three aptamers, and binding affinity was determined by fluorescently labeled aptamers. One of the aptamers exhibited high affinity, with a Kd value of 11.0 ± 2.7 nM, along with low cross reactivity relative to bovine serum albumin and protective antigen. The therapeutic functionality of the aptamer was examined by assessing the inhibition of LF protease activity against a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. The aptamer appears to be an effective inhibitor of LF with an IC50 value of 15 ± 1.5 μM and approximately 85% cell viability, suggesting that this aptamer provides a potential clue for not only development of a sensitive diagnostic device of B. anthracis infection but also the design of novel inhibitors of LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Lahousse
- The Institute of Biomedical Studies, and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798-7348, USA
| | - Hae-Chul Park
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Choon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Na-Reum Ha
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Pil Jung
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Sara R Schlesinger
- The Institute of Biomedical Studies, and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798-7348, USA
| | - Kaylin Shackelford
- Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK 74464, USA
| | - Moon-Young Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Kun Kim
- Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK 74464, USA.
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9
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Duracova M, Klimentova J, Fucikova A, Dresler J. Proteomic Methods of Detection and Quantification of Protein Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10030099. [PMID: 29495560 PMCID: PMC5869387 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10030099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological toxins are a heterogeneous group of compounds that share commonalities with biological and chemical agents. Among them, protein toxins represent a considerable, diverse set. They cover a broad range of molecular weights from less than 1000 Da to more than 150 kDa. This review aims to compare conventional detection methods of protein toxins such as in vitro bioassays with proteomic methods, including immunoassays and mass spectrometry-based techniques and their combination. Special emphasis is given to toxins falling into a group of selected agents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxins, Bacillus anthracis toxins, Clostridium botulinum toxins, Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin, ricin from Ricinus communis, Abrin from Abrus precatorius or control of trade in dual-use items in the European Union, including lesser known protein toxins such as Viscumin from Viscum album. The analysis of protein toxins and monitoring for biological threats, i.e., the deliberate spread of infectious microorganisms or toxins through water, food, or the air, requires rapid and reliable methods for the early identification of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloslava Duracova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Klimentova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Alena Fucikova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense in Brno, Třebešská 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiri Dresler
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, CZ-160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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10
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Rapid Detection of Bacillus anthracis Bloodstream Infections by Use of a Novel Assay in the GeneXpert System. J Clin Microbiol 2017; 55:2964-2971. [PMID: 28747367 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00466-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a tier 1 select agent with the potential to quickly cause severe disease. Rapid identification of this pathogen may accelerate treatment and reduce mortality in the event of a bioterrorism attack. We developed a rapid and sensitive assay to detect B. anthracis bacteremia using a system that is suitable for point-of-care testing. A filter-based cartridge that included both sample processing and PCR amplification functions was loaded with all reagents needed for sample processing and multiplex nested PCR. The assay limit of detection (LOD) and dynamic range were determined by spiking B. anthracis DNA into individual PCR mixtures and B. anthracis CFU into human blood. One-milliliter blood samples were added to the filter-based detection cartridge and tested for B. anthracis on a GeneXpert instrument. Assay specificity was determined by testing blood spiked with non-anthrax bacterial isolates or by testing blood samples drawn from patients with concurrent non-B. anthracis bacteremia or nonbacteremic controls. The assay LODs were 5 genome equivalents per reaction and 10 CFU/ml blood for both the B. anthracis Sterne and V1B strains. There was a 6-log10 dynamic range. Assay specificity was 100% for tests of non-B. anthracis bacterial isolates and patient blood samples. Assay time was less than 90 min. This automated system suitable for point-of-care detection rapidly identifies B. anthracis directly from blood with high sensitivity. This assay might lead to early detection and more rapid therapy in the event of a bioterrorism attack.
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11
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Seo H, Singha S, Ahn KH. Ratiometric Fluorescence Detection of Anthrax Biomarker with EuIII
-EDTA Functionalized Mixed Poly(diacetylene) Liposomes. ASIAN J ORG CHEM 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.201700158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hyewon Seo
- Department of Chemistry; Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH); 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu Pohang 37673 Republic of Korea
| | - Subhankar Singha
- Department of Chemistry; Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH); 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu Pohang 37673 Republic of Korea
| | - Kyo Han Ahn
- Department of Chemistry; Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH); 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu Pohang 37673 Republic of Korea
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12
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Silvestri EE, Yund C, Taft S, Bowling CY, Chappie D, Garrahan K, Brady-Roberts E, Stone H, Nichols TL. Considerations for estimating microbial environmental data concentrations collected from a field setting. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017; 27:141-151. [PMID: 26883476 PMCID: PMC5318663 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2016.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the event of an indoor release of an environmentally persistent microbial pathogen such as Bacillus anthracis, the potential for human exposure will be considered when remedial decisions are made. Microbial site characterization and clearance sampling data collected in the field might be used to estimate exposure. However, there are many challenges associated with estimating environmental concentrations of B. anthracis or other spore-forming organisms after such an event before being able to estimate exposure. These challenges include: (1) collecting environmental field samples that are adequate for the intended purpose, (2) conducting laboratory analyses and selecting the reporting format needed for the laboratory data, and (3) analyzing and interpreting the data using appropriate statistical techniques. This paper summarizes some key challenges faced in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting microbial field data from a contaminated site. Although the paper was written with considerations for B. anthracis contamination, it may also be applicable to other bacterial agents. It explores the implications and limitations of using field data for determining environmental concentrations both before and after decontamination. Several findings were of interest. First, to date, the only validated surface/sampling device combinations are swabs and sponge-sticks on stainless steel surfaces, thus limiting availability of quantitative analytical results which could be used for statistical analysis. Second, agreement needs to be reached with the analytical laboratory on the definition of the countable range and on reporting of data below the limit of quantitation. Finally, the distribution of the microbial field data and statistical methods needed for a particular data set could vary depending on these data that were collected, and guidance is needed on appropriate statistical software for handling microbial data. Further, research is needed to develop better methods to estimate human exposure from pathogens using environmental data collected from a field setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Silvestri
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Homeland Security Research Center, Threat Consequence Assessment Division, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Cynthia Yund
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Homeland Security Research Center, Threat Consequence Assessment Division, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Sarah Taft
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Homeland Security Research Center, Threat Consequence Assessment Division, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Charlena Yoder Bowling
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Homeland Security Research Center, Threat Consequence Assessment Division, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Eletha Brady-Roberts
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Homeland Security Research Center, Threat Consequence Assessment Division, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Harry Stone
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Tonya L Nichols
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Homeland Security Research Center, Threat Consequence Assessment Division, Washington DC, USA
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13
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Israeli M, Rotem S, Elia U, Bar-Haim E, Cohen O, Chitlaru T. A Simple Luminescent Adenylate-Cyclase Functional Assay for Evaluation of Bacillus anthracis Edema Factor Activity. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E243. [PMID: 27548219 PMCID: PMC4999859 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8080243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Edema Factor (EF), the toxic sub-unit of the Bacillus anthracis Edema Toxin (ET) is a calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase whose detrimental activity in the infected host results in severe edema. EF is therefore a major virulence factor of B. anthracis. We describe a simple, rapid and reliable functional adenylate-cyclase assay based on inhibition of a luciferase-mediated luminescence reaction. The assay exploits the efficient adenylate cyclase-mediated depletion of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), and the strict dependence on ATP of the light-emitting luciferase-catalyzed luciferin-conversion to oxyluciferin, which can be easily visualized. The assay exhibits a robust EF-dose response decrease in luminescence, which may be specifically reverted by anti-EF antibodies. The application of the assay is exemplified in: (a) determining the presence of EF in B. anthracis cultures, or its absence in cultures of EF-defective strains; (b) evaluating the anti-EF humoral response in experimental animals infected/vaccinated with B. anthracis; and (c) rapid discrimination between EF producing and non-producing bacterial colonies. Furthermore, the assay may be amenable with high-throughput screening for EF inhibitory molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma'ayan Israeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
| | - Shahar Rotem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
| | - Uri Elia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
| | - Erez Bar-Haim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
| | - Ofer Cohen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
| | - Theodor Chitlaru
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
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14
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Seo Y, Kim JE, Jeong Y, Lee KH, Hwang J, Hong J, Park H, Choi J. Engineered nanoconstructs for the multiplexed and sensitive detection of high-risk pathogens. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:1944-1951. [PMID: 26462853 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06230f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Many countries categorize the causative agents of severe infectious diseases as high-risk pathogens. Given their extreme infectivity and potential to be used as biological weapons, a rapid and sensitive method for detection of high-risk pathogens (e.g., Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, and Vaccinia virus) is highly desirable. Here, we report the construction of a novel detection platform comprising two units: (1) magnetic beads separately conjugated with multiple capturing antibodies against four different high-risk pathogens for simple and rapid isolation, and (2) genetically engineered apoferritin nanoparticles conjugated with multiple quantum dots and detection antibodies against four different high-risk pathogens for signal amplification. For each high-risk pathogen, we demonstrated at least 10-fold increase in sensitivity compared to traditional lateral flow devices that utilize enzyme-based detection methods. Multiplexed detection of high-risk pathogens in a sample was also successful by using the nanoconstructs harboring the dye molecules with fluorescence at different wavelengths. We ultimately envision the use of this novel nanoprobe detection platform in future applications that require highly sensitive on-site detection of high-risk pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngmin Seo
- Department of Bionano Technology, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
| | - Ji-eun Kim
- Department of Bionano Technology, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
| | - Yoon Jeong
- Department of Bionano Technology, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
| | - Kwan Hong Lee
- Department of Bionano Technology, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea. and Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan 426-791, Korea
| | - Jangsun Hwang
- Department of Bionano Technology, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
| | - Jongwook Hong
- Department of Bionano Technology, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea. and Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan 426-791, Korea
| | - Hansoo Park
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
| | - Jonghoon Choi
- Department of Bionano Technology, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea. and Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan 426-791, Korea
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15
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González E, Shepherd LM, Saunders L, Frey MW. Surface Functional Poly(lactic Acid) Electrospun Nanofibers for Biosensor Applications. MATERIALS 2016; 9:ma9010047. [PMID: 28787847 PMCID: PMC5456551 DOI: 10.3390/ma9010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this work, biotin surface functionalized hydrophilic non-water-soluble biocompatible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibers are created for their potential use as biosensors. Varying concentrations of biotin (up to 18 weight total percent (wt %)) were incorporated into PLA fibers together with poly(lactic acid)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-b-PEG) block polymers. While biotin provided surface functionalization, PLA-b-PEG provided hydrophilicity to the final fibers. Morphology and surface-available biotin of the final fibers were studied by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and competitive colorimetric assays. The incorporation of PLA-b-PEG block copolymers not only decreased fiber diameters but also dramatically increased the amount of biotin available at the fiber surface able to bind avidin. Finally, fiber water stability tests revealed that both biotin and PLA-b-PEG, migrated to the aqueous phase after relatively extended periods of water exposure. The functional hydrophilic nanofiber created in this work shows a potential application as a biosensor for point-of-care diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edurne González
- Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Larissa M Shepherd
- Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Laura Saunders
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14261, USA.
| | - Margaret W Frey
- Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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16
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Gahan ME, Thomas R, Rossi R, Nelson M, Roffey P, Richardson MM, McNevin D. Background frequency of Bacillus species at the Canberra Airport: A 12 month study. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 257:142-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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Shivakiran MS, Venkataramana M, Lakshmana Rao PV. Rapid onsite detection of bacterial spores of biothreat importance by paper-based colorimetric method using erbium–pyrocatechol violet complex. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 100:893-901. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-7151-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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18
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Binding domains of
Bacillus anthracis
phage endolysins recognize cell culture age‐related features on the bacterial surface. Biotechnol Prog 2015; 31:1487-93. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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19
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Srinivasan B, Tung S. Development and Applications of Portable Biosensors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 20:365-89. [DOI: 10.1177/2211068215581349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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20
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Janzen TW, Thomas MC, Goji N, Shields MJ, Hahn KR, Amoako KK. Rapid detection method for Bacillus anthracis using a combination of multiplexed real-time PCR and pyrosequencing and its application for food biodefense. J Food Prot 2015; 78:355-61. [PMID: 25710151 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-14-216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, has the capacity to form highly resilient spores as part of its life cycle. The potential for the dissemination of these spores using food as a vehicle is a huge public health concern and, hence, requires the development of a foodborne bioterrorism response approach. In this work, we address a critical gap in food biodefense by presenting a novel, combined, sequential method involving the use of real-time PCR and pyrosequencing for the rapid, specific detection of B. anthracis spores in three food matrices: milk, apple juice, and bottled water. The food samples were experimentally inoculated with 40 CFU ml(-1), and DNA was extracted from the spores and analyzed after immunomagnetic separation. Applying the combination of multiplex real-time PCR and pyrosequencing, we successfully detected the presence of targets on both of the virulence plasmids and the chromosome. The results showed that DNA amplicons generated from a five-target multiplexed real-time PCR detection using biotin-labeled primers can be used for single-plex pyrosequencing detection. The combined use of multiplexed real-time PCR and pyrosequencing is a novel, rapid detection method for B. anthracis from food and provides a tool for accurate, quantitative identification with potential biodefense applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy W Janzen
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centers for Animal Disease, Lethbridge Laboratory, P.O. Box 640, Township Road 9-1, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 3Z4
| | - Matthew C Thomas
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centers for Animal Disease, Lethbridge Laboratory, P.O. Box 640, Township Road 9-1, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 3Z4
| | - Noriko Goji
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centers for Animal Disease, Lethbridge Laboratory, P.O. Box 640, Township Road 9-1, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 3Z4
| | - Michael J Shields
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centers for Animal Disease, Lethbridge Laboratory, P.O. Box 640, Township Road 9-1, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 3Z4
| | - Kristen R Hahn
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centers for Animal Disease, Lethbridge Laboratory, P.O. Box 640, Township Road 9-1, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 3Z4
| | - Kingsley K Amoako
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centers for Animal Disease, Lethbridge Laboratory, P.O. Box 640, Township Road 9-1, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 3Z4.
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21
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Recent literature review of soil processing methods for recovery of Bacillus anthracis spores. ANN MICROBIOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13213-014-0932-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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22
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van Tongeren SP, Roest HIJ, Degener JE, Harmsen HJM. Bacillus anthracis-like bacteria and other B. cereus group members in a microbial community within the International Space Station: a challenge for rapid and easy molecular detection of virulent B. anthracis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98871. [PMID: 24945323 PMCID: PMC4063717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
For some microbial species, such as Bacillus anthracis, the etiologic agent of the disease anthrax, correct detection and identification by molecular methods can be problematic. The detection of virulent B. anthracis is challenging due to multiple virulence markers that need to be present in order for B. anthracis to be virulent and its close relationship to Bacillus cereus and other members of the B. cereus group. This is especially the case in environments where build-up of Bacillus spores can occur and several representatives of the B. cereus group may be present, which increases the chance for false-positives. In this study we show the presence of B. anthracis-like bacteria and other members of the B. cereus group in a microbial community within the human environment of the International Space Station and their preliminary identification by using conventional culturing as well as molecular techniques including 16S rDNA sequencing, PCR and real-time PCR. Our study shows that when monitoring the microbial hygiene in a given human environment, health risk assessment is troublesome in the case of virulent B. anthracis, especially if this should be done with rapid, easy to apply and on-site molecular methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra P. van Tongeren
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Hendrik I. J. Roest
- Department of Bacteriology & TSEs, Central Veterinary Institute (CVI), part of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - John E. Degener
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hermie J. M. Harmsen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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23
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Jeong YS, Choi S, Chong E, Kim J, Kim SJ. Rapid detection of Bacillus
spore aerosol particles by direct in situ
analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Lett Appl Microbiol 2014; 59:177-83. [DOI: 10.1111/lam.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y.-S. Jeong
- CBR Defense Directorate; Agency for Defense Development (ADD); Daejeon Korea
| | - S. Choi
- CBR Defense Directorate; Agency for Defense Development (ADD); Daejeon Korea
| | - E. Chong
- CBR Defense Directorate; Agency for Defense Development (ADD); Daejeon Korea
| | - J.H. Kim
- CBR Defense Directorate; Agency for Defense Development (ADD); Daejeon Korea
| | - S.-J. Kim
- CBR Defense Directorate; Agency for Defense Development (ADD); Daejeon Korea
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24
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Osmekhina E, Shvetsova A, Ruottinen M, Neubauer P. Quantitative and sensitive RNA based detection of Bacillus spores. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:92. [PMID: 24653718 PMCID: PMC3949131 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fast and reliable detection of bacterial spores is of great importance and still remains a challenge. Here we describe a direct RNA-based diagnostic method for the specific detection of viable bacterial spores which does not depends on an enzymatic amplification step and therefore is directly appropriate for quantification. The procedure includes the following steps: (i) heat activation of spores, (ii) germination and enrichment cultivation, (iii) cell lysis, and (iv) analysis of 16S rRNA in crude cell lysates using a sandwich hybridization assay. The sensitivity of the method is dependent on the cultivation time and the detection limit; it is possible to detect 10 spores per ml when the RNA analysis is performed after 6 h of enrichment cultivation. At spore concentrations above 10(6) spores per ml the cultivation time can be shortened to 30 min. Total analysis times are in the range of 2-8 h depending on the spore concentration in samples. The developed procedure is optimized at the example of Bacillus subtilis spores but should be applicable to other organisms. The new method can easily be modified for other target RNAs and is suitable for specific detection of spores from known groups of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Osmekhina
- Department of Process and Environmental Engineering and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland
| | - Antonina Shvetsova
- Department of Biochemistry and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland
| | - Maria Ruottinen
- Department of Process and Environmental Engineering and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland
| | - Peter Neubauer
- Department of Process and Environmental Engineering and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland ; Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
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25
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Chenau J, Fenaille F, Caro V, Haustant M, Diancourt L, Klee SR, Junot C, Ezan E, Goossens PL, Becher F. Identification and validation of specific markers of Bacillus anthracis spores by proteomics and genomics approaches. Mol Cell Proteomics 2013; 13:716-32. [PMID: 24379445 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m113.032946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is the causative bacteria of anthrax, an acute and often fatal disease in humans. The infectious agent, the spore, represents a real bioterrorism threat and its specific identification is crucial. However, because of the high genomic relatedness within the Bacillus cereus group, it is still a real challenge to identify B. anthracis spores confidently. Mass spectrometry-based tools represent a powerful approach to the efficient discovery and identification of such protein markers. Here we undertook comparative proteomics analyses of Bacillus anthracis, cereus and thuringiensis spores to identify proteoforms unique to B. anthracis. The marker discovery pipeline developed combined peptide- and protein-centric approaches using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry experiments using a high resolution/high mass accuracy LTQ-Orbitrap instrument. By combining these data with those from complementary bioinformatics approaches, we were able to highlight a dozen novel proteins consistently observed across all the investigated B. anthracis spores while being absent in B. cereus/thuringiensis spores. To further demonstrate the relevance of these markers and their strict specificity to B. anthracis, the number of strains studied was extended to 55, by including closely related strains such as B. thuringiensis 9727, and above all the B. cereus biovar anthracis CI, CA strains that possess pXO1- and pXO2-like plasmids. Under these conditions, the combination of proteomics and genomics approaches confirms the pertinence of 11 markers. Genes encoding these 11 markers are located on the chromosome, which provides additional targets complementary to the commonly used plasmid-encoded markers. Last but not least, we also report the development of a targeted liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry method involving the selection reaction monitoring mode for the monitoring of the 4 most suitable protein markers. Within a proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate the value of this approach for the further high throughput and specific detection of B. anthracis spores within complex samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Chenau
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunoanalyse, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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26
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Schofield DA, Sharp NJ, Vandamm J, Molineux IJ, Spreng KA, Rajanna C, Westwater C, Stewart GC. Bacillus anthracis diagnostic detection and rapid antibiotic susceptibility determination using ‘bioluminescent’ reporter phage. J Microbiol Methods 2013; 95:156-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2013.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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27
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Chun JH, Choi OJ, Cho MH, Hong KJ, Seong WK, Oh HB, Rhie GE. Serological Correlate of Protection in Guinea Pigs for a Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine Produced from Bacillus brevis. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2013; 3:170-6. [PMID: 24159510 PMCID: PMC3738701 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrp.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2012] [Revised: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Recombinant protective antigen (rPA) is the active pharmaceutical ingredient of a second generation anthrax vaccine undergoing clinical trials both in Korea and the USA. By using the rPA produced from Bacillus brevis pNU212 expression system, correlations of serological immune response to anthrax protection efficacy were analyzed in a guinea pig model. Methods Serological responses of rPA anthrax vaccine were investigated in guinea pigs that were given single or two injections (interval of 4 weeks) of various amounts of rPA combined with aluminumhydroxide adjuvant. Guinea pigs were subsequently challenged by the intramuscular injection with 30 half-lethal doses (30LD50) of virulent Bacillus anthracis spores. Serumantibody titerswere determined by anti-PA IgGELISA and the ability of antibodies to neutralize the cytotoxicity of lethal toxin on J774A.1 cell was measured through the toxin neutralizing antibody (TNA) assay. Results To examine correlations between survival rate and antibody titers, correlation between neutralizing antibody titers and the extent of protection was determined. Toxin neutralization titers of at least 1176 were sufficient to confer protection against a dose of 30LD50 of virulent anthrax spores of the H9401 strain. Such consistency in the correlation was not observed from those antibody titers determined by ELISA. Conclusion Neutralizing-antibody titers can be used as a surrogate marker.
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28
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Kim DJ, Park HC, Sohn IY, Jung JH, Yoon OJ, Park JS, Yoon MY, Lee NE. Electrical graphene aptasensor for ultra-sensitive detection of anthrax toxin with amplified signal transduction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2013; 9:3352-3360. [PMID: 23589198 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201203245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Revised: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Detection of the anthrax toxin, the protective antigen (PA), at the attomolar (aM) level is demonstrated by an electrical aptamer sensor based on a chemically derived graphene field-effect transistor (FET) platform. Higher affinity of the aptamer probes to PA in the aptamer-immobilized FET enables significant improvements in the limit of detection (LOD), dynamic range, and sensitivity compared to the antibody-immobilized FET. Transduction signal enhancement in the aptamer FET due to an increase in captured PA molecules results in a larger 30 mV/decade shift in the charge neutrality point (Vg,min ) as a sensitivity parameter, with the dynamic range of the PA concentration between 12 aM (LOD) and 120 fM. An additional signal enhancement is obtained by the secondary aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-aptamer), which have a sandwich structure of aptamer/PA/aptamer-AuNPs, induce an increase in charge-doping in the graphene channel, resulting in a reduction of the LOD to 1.2 aM with a three-fold increase in the Vg,min shift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duck-Jin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea
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29
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Jeong YS, Lee J, Kim SJ. Discrimination of Bacillus anthracis Spores by Direct in-situ Analysis of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2013. [DOI: 10.5012/bkcs.2013.34.9.2635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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30
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Ågren J, Hamidjaja RA, Hansen T, Ruuls R, Thierry S, Vigre H, Janse I, Sundström A, Segerman B, Koene M, Löfström C, Van Rotterdam B, Derzelle S. In silico and in vitro evaluation of PCR-based assays for the detection of Bacillus anthracis chromosomal signature sequences. Virulence 2013; 4:671-85. [PMID: 24005110 DOI: 10.4161/viru.26288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a zoonotic pathogen that is relatively common throughout the world and may cause life threatening diseases in animals and humans. There are many PCR-based assays in use for the detection of B. anthracis. While most of the developed assays rely on unique markers present on virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2, relatively few assays incorporate chromosomal DNA markers due to the close relatedness of B. anthracis to the B. cereus group strains. For the detection of chromosomal DNA, different genes have been used, such as BA813, rpoB, gyrA, plcR, S-layer, and prophage-lambda. Following a review of the literature, an in silico analysis of all signature sequences reported for identification of B. anthracis was conducted. Published primer and probe sequences were compared for specificity against 134 available Bacillus spp. genomes. Although many of the chromosomal targets evaluated are claimed to be specific to B. anthracis, cross-reactions with closely related B. cereus and B. thuringiensis strains were often observed. Of the 35 investigated PCR assays, only 4 were 100% specific for the B. anthracis chromosome. An interlaboratory ring trial among five European laboratories was then performed to evaluate six assays, including the WHO recommended procedures, using a collection of 90 Bacillus strains. Three assays performed adequately, yielding no false positive or negative results. All three assays target chromosomal markers located within the lambdaBa03 prophage region (PL3, BA5345, and BA5357). Detection limit was further assessed for one of these highly specific assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakim Ågren
- National Veterinary Institute; Department of Bacteriology; Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Raditijo A Hamidjaja
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; Centre for Infectious Disease Control; Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Trine Hansen
- National Food Institute; Technical University of Denmark; Søborg, Denmark
| | - Robin Ruuls
- Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University and Research Centre; Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Simon Thierry
- University Paris-Est Anses; Animal Health Laboratory; Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Håkan Vigre
- National Food Institute; Technical University of Denmark; Søborg, Denmark
| | - Ingmar Janse
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; Centre for Infectious Disease Control; Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anders Sundström
- National Veterinary Institute; Department of Bacteriology; Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bo Segerman
- National Veterinary Institute; Department of Bacteriology; Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Miriam Koene
- Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University and Research Centre; Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotta Löfström
- National Food Institute; Technical University of Denmark; Søborg, Denmark
| | - Bart Van Rotterdam
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; Centre for Infectious Disease Control; Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sylviane Derzelle
- University Paris-Est Anses; Animal Health Laboratory; Maisons-Alfort, France
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31
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Be NA, Thissen JB, Gardner SN, McLoughlin KS, Fofanov VY, Koshinsky H, Ellingson SR, Brettin TS, Jackson PJ, Jaing CJ. Detection of Bacillus anthracis DNA in complex soil and air samples using next-generation sequencing. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73455. [PMID: 24039948 PMCID: PMC3767809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is the potentially lethal etiologic agent of anthrax disease, and is a significant concern in the realm of biodefense. One of the cornerstones of an effective biodefense strategy is the ability to detect infectious agents with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity in the context of a complex sample background. The nature of the B. anthracis genome, however, renders specific detection difficult, due to close homology with B. cereus and B. thuringiensis. We therefore elected to determine the efficacy of next-generation sequencing analysis and microarrays for detection of B. anthracis in an environmental background. We applied next-generation sequencing to titrated genome copy numbers of B. anthracis in the presence of background nucleic acid extracted from aerosol and soil samples. We found next-generation sequencing to be capable of detecting as few as 10 genomic equivalents of B. anthracis DNA per nanogram of background nucleic acid. Detection was accomplished by mapping reads to either a defined subset of reference genomes or to the full GenBank database. Moreover, sequence data obtained from B. anthracis could be reliably distinguished from sequence data mapping to either B. cereus or B. thuringiensis. We also demonstrated the efficacy of a microbial census microarray in detecting B. anthracis in the same samples, representing a cost-effective and high-throughput approach, complementary to next-generation sequencing. Our results, in combination with the capacity of sequencing for providing insights into the genomic characteristics of complex and novel organisms, suggest that these platforms should be considered important components of a biosurveillance strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Be
- Physical and Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - James B. Thissen
- Physical and Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Shea N. Gardner
- Global Security Directorates, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin S. McLoughlin
- Global Security Directorates, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | | | | | - Sally R. Ellingson
- Department of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Thomas S. Brettin
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Paul J. Jackson
- Physical and Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Crystal J. Jaing
- Physical and Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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32
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Tevell Åberg A, Björnstad K, Hedeland M. Mass Spectrometric Detection of Protein-Based Toxins. Biosecur Bioterror 2013; 11 Suppl 1:S215-26. [DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annica Tevell Åberg
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristian Björnstad
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Hedeland
- Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; Kristian Björnstad, PhD, is a Senior Researcher; and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department; all at the Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Åberg and Dr. Hedeland are also affiliated with the Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Kummerfeldt CE, Huggins JT, Sahn SA. Unusual bacterial infections and the pleura. Open Respir Med J 2012; 6:75-81. [PMID: 22977649 PMCID: PMC3439802 DOI: 10.2174/1874306401206010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2012] [Revised: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiosis, Q fever, tularemia, and anthrax are all bacterial diseases that can affect the pleura. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) are caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia conorii, respectively. Pleural fluid from a patient with MSF had a neutrophil-predominant exudate. Coxiellaburnetii is the causative agent of Q fever. Of the two cases described in the literature, one was an exudate with a marked eosinophilia while the other case was a transudate due to a constrictive pericarditis. Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia. Pleural fluid from three tularemia patients showed a lymphocyte predominant exudate. Bacillusanthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. Cases of inhalational anthrax from a recent bioterrorist attack evidenced the presence of a serosanguineous exudative pleural effusion. These four bacterial microorganisms should be suspected in patients presenting with a clinical history, exposure to known risk factors and an unexplained pleural effusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E Kummerfeldt
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Medical University of South Carolina, USA
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Dragan AI, Albrecht MT, Pavlovic R, Keane-Myers AM, Geddes CD. Ultra-fast pg/ml anthrax toxin (protective antigen) detection assay based on microwave-accelerated metal-enhanced fluorescence. Anal Biochem 2012; 425:54-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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35
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Setterington EB, Alocilja EC. Electrochemical biosensor for rapid and sensitive detection of magnetically extracted bacterial pathogens. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2012; 2:15-31. [PMID: 25585629 PMCID: PMC4263547 DOI: 10.3390/bios2010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 01/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Biological defense and security applications demand rapid, sensitive detection of bacterial pathogens. This work presents a novel qualitative electrochemical detection technique which is applied to two representative bacterial pathogens, Bacillus cereus (as a surrogate for B. anthracis) and Escherichia coli O157:H7, resulting in detection limits of 40 CFU/mL and 6 CFU/mL, respectively, from pure culture. Cyclic voltammetry is combined with immunomagnetic separation in a rapid method requiring approximately 1 h for presumptive positive/negative results. An immunofunctionalized magnetic/polyaniline core/shell nano-particle (c/sNP) is employed to extract target cells from the sample solution and magnetically position them on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) sensor. The presence of target cells significantly inhibits current flow between the electrically active c/sNPs and SPCE. This method has the potential to be adapted for a wide variety of target organisms and sample matrices, and to become a fully portable system for routine monitoring or emergency detection of bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma B Setterington
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Evangelyn C Alocilja
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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36
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Wu H, Liu S, Jiang J, Shen G, Yu R. A novel electrochemical biosensor for highly selective detection of protease biomarker from Bacillus licheniformis with d-amino acid containing peptide. Analyst 2012; 137:4829-33. [DOI: 10.1039/c2an36066g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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37
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Chenau J, Fenaille F, Ezan E, Morel N, Lamourette P, Goossens PL, Becher F. Sensitive detection of Bacillus anthracis spores by immunocapture and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 2011; 83:8675-82. [PMID: 21961787 DOI: 10.1021/ac2020992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is one of the most dangerous agents of the bioterrorism threat. We present here a sensitive immuno-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (immuno-LC-MS/MS) approach to spore detection in complex environmental samples. It is based on the combined specificity and sensitivity of two techniques: immunocapture and targeted mass spectrometry. The immunocapture step, realized directly on the intact spores, is essential for their selective isolation and concentration from complex environmental samples. After parallel trypsin and Glu-C digestions, proteotypic peptides corresponding to small acid-soluble spore protein-B (SASP-B) are specifically monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry mode. Peptide ratio is carefully monitored and provides an additional level of specificity, which is shown to be highly useful for distinguishing closely related samples and avoiding false-positive/negative results. Sensitivity at the level of the infectious dose is demonstrated, with limits of detection of 7 × 10(3) spores/mL of milk or 10 mg of soil. This mass spectrometry approach is thus complementary to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Chenau
- Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunoanalyse, iBiTec-S, CEA, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
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Addanki KC, Sheraz M, Knight K, Williams K, Pace DG, Bagasra O. Detection of anthrax toxin genetic sequences by the solid phase oligo-probes. Indian J Med Microbiol 2011; 29:372-8. [DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.90169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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39
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Oh BN, Lee S, Park HY, Baeg JO, Yoon MY, Kim J. Sensitive fluorescence assay of anthrax protective antigen with two new DNA aptamers and their binding properties. Analyst 2011; 136:3384-8. [PMID: 21743920 DOI: 10.1039/c0an00978d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A homogeneous assay of the protective antigen in anthrax toxin is reported using two new PA-specific aptamers for selective and sensitive detection, based on reduction in the fluorescence emission according to the formation of the aptamer-PA ternary complex. PA at 1 nM was readily detected using OliGreen as a fluorophore in HEPES buffer. We also demonstrated that the PA detection could be performed in blood serum. The binding interaction between the aptamer and PA was strong enough to dehybridize double-stranded DNA paired completely with 12 bases at room temperature. Moreover, this fluorescence study revealed that the binding sites of the two aptamers were located differently on the PA protein. We believe our approach may lay the groundwork for the real-time detection of PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byul Nim Oh
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750, Korea
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40
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Examination of Bacillus anthracis spores by multiparameter flow cytometry. Methods Mol Biol 2011. [PMID: 21567316 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-102-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The ability to rapidly differentiate Bacillus anthracis spores from spores belonging to other Bacillus spp. is potentially useful for combating the intentional release of this biothreat agent. Furthermore, not all B. anthracis strains are fully virulent and the ability to determine the potential virulence of the endospore is also important. In this chapter, we describe a two-color flow cytometric assay capable of simultaneously identifying B. anthracis spores and the presence of spore-associated protective antigen, a virulence marker for strains harboring the pXO1 plasmid.
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41
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Hao RZ, Song HB, Zuo GM, Yang RF, Wei HP, Wang DB, Cui ZQ, Zhang Z, Cheng ZX, Zhang XE. DNA probe functionalized QCM biosensor based on gold nanoparticle amplification for Bacillus anthracis detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2011; 26:3398-404. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2011.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 01/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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42
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Hong W, Huang L, Wang H, Qu J, Guo Z, Xie C, Zhu Z, Zhang Y, Du Z, Yan Y, Zheng Y, Huang H, Yang R, Zhou L. Development of an up-converting phosphor technology-based 10-channel lateral flow assay for profiling antibodies against Yersinia pestis. J Microbiol Methods 2010; 83:133-40. [PMID: 20801166 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a 10-channel up-converting phosphor technology-based lateral flow (TC-UPT-LF) assay was developed to profile antibodies against Yersinia pestis. Ten expressed Y. pestis proteins were covalently conjugated with an up-converting phosphor particle to develop double-antigen sandwich immunochromatographic strips to detect corresponding antibodies. After optimization one by one, each strip was integrated into a TC-UPT-LF disc for simultaneously detection of different antibodies. A scanning biosensor was also developed to acquire the results. The performance of the TC-UPT-LF assay was evaluated by using standard samples and plague monkey serum samples. Fifty-one patient serum samples were detected by the TC-UPT-LF assay. The TC-UPT-LF disc could be stable for 10 days at 37°C with an average CV of 10.3%. Its sensitivity and qualitative results are comparable to those of ELISA. Its linearity fitting coefficient of determination (R2) for different antibody detection is between 0.93 and 0.99. Besides F1 antibody, the LcrV and YopD antibodies also showed higher positive ratio than the other seven antibodies, as 100% (13/13) and 92% (12/13) in monkey sera and 86.3% (44/51) and 66.7% (34/51) in patient sera, respectively. It is suggested that the TC-UPT-LF assay has been successfully developed for multi-detection and LcrV and YopD can be the potential diagnostic markers of the plague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Hong
- Laboratory of Analytical Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai District, Beijing 100071, People's Republic of China
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43
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Detection technologies for Bacillus anthracis: Prospects and challenges. J Microbiol Methods 2010; 82:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2010.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2010] [Revised: 04/09/2010] [Accepted: 04/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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44
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Sainath Rao S, Mohan KVK, Nguyen N, Abraham B, Abdouleva G, Zhang P, Atreya CD. Peptides panned from a phage-displayed random peptide library are useful for the detection of Bacillus anthracis surrogates B. cereus 4342 and B. anthracis Sterne. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 395:93-8. [PMID: 20350526 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.03.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2010] [Accepted: 03/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent use of Bacillus anthracis as a bioweapon has highlighted the need for a sensitive monitoring system. Current bacterial detection tests use antibodies as bio-molecular recognition elements which have limitations with regard to time, specificity and sensitivity, creating the need for new and improved cost-effective high-affinity detection probes. In this study, we screened a commercially available bacteriophage-displayed random peptide library using Bacillus cereus 4342 cells as bait to identify peptides that could be used for detection of Bacillus. The method enabled us to identify two 12-amino acid consensus peptide sequences that specifically bind to B. cereus 4342 and B. anthracis Sterne, the nonpathogenic surrogates of B. anthracis strain. The two Bacillus-binding peptides (named BBP-1 and BBP-2) were synthesized with biotin tag to confirm their binding by four independent detection assays. Dot-blot analysis revealed that the peptides bind specifically to B. cereus 4342 and B. anthracis Sterne. Quantitative analysis of this interaction by ELISA and fluorometry demonstrated a detection sensitivity of 10(2) colony forming U/ml (CFU/ml) by both assays. When the peptides were used in combination with Qdots, the sensitivity was enhanced further by enabling detection of even a single bacterium by fluorescence microscopy. Immunoblot analysis and protein sequencing showed that BBP-1 and BBP-2 bound to the S-layer protein of B. anthracis Sterne. Overall, our findings validate the usefulness of synthetic versions of phage-derived peptides in combination with Qdot-liquid nanocrystals as high sensitivity bioprobes for various microbial detection platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpakala Sainath Rao
- Section of Cell Biology, Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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46
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Schofield D, Westwater C. Phage-mediated bioluminescent detection ofBacillus anthracis. J Appl Microbiol 2009; 107:1468-78. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04332.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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47
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Duriez E, Goossens PL, Becher F, Ezan E. Femtomolar detection of the anthrax edema factor in human and animal plasma. Anal Chem 2009; 81:5935-41. [PMID: 19522516 DOI: 10.1021/ac900827s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Edema factor (EF), a calmodulin-activated adenylyl cyclase, is a toxin which contributes to cutaneous and systemic anthrax. As a novel strategy to detect anthrax toxins in humans or animals infected by Bacillus anthracis, we have developed a sensitive enzymatic assay to be able to monitor functional EF in human and animal plasma. Samples containing EF are incubated in the presence of calmodulin and ATP, which is converted to cAMP. After oxidation and derivatization, cAMP is monitored by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Because of the high turnover of EF and the sensitivity of cAMP detection, EF can be detected at concentrations of 1 pg/mL (10 fM) in 4 h in plasma from humans or at 10 pg/mL in the plasma of various animal species using only a blood volume of 5 microL. The assay has good reproducibility with intra- and interday coefficients of variation in the range of 20% and is not subject to significant interindividual matrix effects. In an experimental study performed in mice infected with the Berne strain, we were able to detect EF in serum and ear tissues. This simple and robust combination of enzymatic reaction and enzyme immunoassay for the diagnosis of anthrax toxemia could prove useful in biological threat detection as well in research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Duriez
- CEA, iBiTec-S, Service de Pharmacologie et d'Immunoanalyse, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium representing the etiological cause of anthrax, a rare lethal disease of animals and humans. Development of anthrax countermeasures has gained increasing attention owing to the potential use of B. anthracis spores as a bioterror weapon. The various forms of infection by B. anthracis are characterized both by toxemia and septicemia, both of which are the result of spore entry into the host followed by their germination into rapidly multiplying, toxin-producing bacilli. Following the publication of the bacterial genome, proteomic studies were carried out to determine the protein composition of the spore and identify exposed vegetative (membrane-located or secreted) proteins. These studies included comparison of strains differing in their virulence, cultured under different conditions and, in some cases, were complemented by serological inspection, which addressed expression during infection of proteomically identified proteins and their immunogenicity. The proteomic approach emerged as a valuable strategy for the generation of a pool of potential B. anthracis protein targets for further evaluation in detection, diagnostics, therapy and prophylaxis, and contributed to the elucidation of some aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodor Chitlaru
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, PO Box 19, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel
| | - Avigdor Shafferman
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, PO Box 19, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel
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49
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Sela-Abramovich S, Chitlaru T, Gat O, Grosfeld H, Cohen O, Shafferman A. Novel and unique diagnostic biomarkers for Bacillus anthracis infection. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:6157-67. [PMID: 19648366 PMCID: PMC2753070 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00766-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A search for bacterium-specific biomarkers in peripheral blood following infection with Bacillus anthracis was carried out with rabbits, using a battery of specific antibodies generated by DNA vaccination against 10 preselected highly immunogenic bacterial antigens which were identified previously by a genomic/proteomic/serologic screen of the B. anthracis secretome. Detection of infection biomarkers in the circulation of infected rabbits could be achieved only after removal of highly abundant serum proteins by chromatography using a random-ligand affinity column. Besides the toxin component protective antigen, the following three secreted proteins were detected in the circulation of infected animals: the chaperone and protease HtrA (BA3660), an NlpC/P60 endopeptidase (BA1952), and a protein of unknown function harboring two SH3 (Src homology 3) domains (BA0796). The three proteins could be detected in plasma samples from infected animals exhibiting 10(3) to 10(5) CFU/ml blood and also in standard blood cultures at 3 to 6 h post-bacterial inoculation at a bacteremic level as low as 10(3) CFU/ml. Furthermore, the three biomarkers appear to be present only in the secretome of B. anthracis, not in those of the related pathogens B. thuringiensis and B. cereus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of direct detection of B. anthracis-specific proteins, other than the toxin components, in the circulation of infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagit Sela-Abramovich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Life Science Research Israel Ltd, 2 Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel
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50
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Identification of Bacillus anthracis by using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and artificial neural networks. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:7229-42. [PMID: 19767470 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00857-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This report demonstrates the applicability of a combination of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) and chemometrics for rapid and reliable identification of vegetative cells of the causative agent of anthrax, Bacillus anthracis. Bacillus cultures were prepared under standardized conditions and inactivated according to a recently developed MS-compatible inactivation protocol for highly pathogenic microorganisms. MALDI-TOF MS was then employed to collect spectra from the microbial samples and to build up a database of bacterial reference spectra. This database comprised mass peak profiles of 374 strains from Bacillus and related genera, among them 102 strains of B. anthracis and 121 strains of B. cereus. The information contained in the database was investigated by means of visual inspection of gel view representations, univariate t tests for biomarker identification, unsupervised hierarchical clustering, and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Analysis of gel views and independent t tests suggested B. anthracis- and B. cereus group-specific signals. For example, mass spectra of B. anthracis exhibited discriminating biomarkers at 4,606, 5,413, and 6,679 Da. A systematic search in proteomic databases allowed tentative assignment of some of the biomarkers to ribosomal protein or small acid-soluble proteins. Multivariate pattern analysis by unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis further revealed a subproteome-based taxonomy of the genus Bacillus. Superior classification accuracy was achieved when supervised ANNs were employed. For the identification of B. anthracis, independent validation of optimized ANN models yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%.
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