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Kawahara M, Cody TT, Yanong RPE, Henderson E, Yazdi Z, Soto E. Francisella sciaenopsi sp. nov. isolated from diseased red drum Sciaenops ocellatus in Florida, USA. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2024; 159:79-89. [PMID: 39145474 DOI: 10.3354/dao03803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Piscine francisellosis is one of the most important bacterial diseases affecting various fish species worldwide. Francisella orientalis, F. noatunensis, and F. salimarina (F. marina) have been reported as etiological agents of disease in fish. A Francisella sp. was isolated from several diseased red drum Sciaenops ocellatus experiencing morbidity in Florida, USA, in 2008. In this study, molecular and phenotypic characterization of the recovered isolate was conducted. Phenotypically, the isolate showed a biochemical reaction profile distinct from that of F. orientalis and F. salimarina. Although the 16S rRNA sequence of this isolate shared 99.61% identity to the type strain of F. philomiragia O#319LT, whole genome analysis (average nucleotide identity <95%; digital DNA-DNA hybridization <70%) and a multilocus sequence analysis of 8 concatenated housekeeping genes in comparison with other Francisella spp. indicated that this isolate was a novel Francisella species, more closely related to F. orientalis. Immersion, intracoelomic injection, and co-habitation challenges using a Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerling model of infection were done to investigate virulence in a piscine model. Variably pigmented granulomas and pigmented macrophage aggregates were observed in the kidneys and spleens of the challenged fish, but no mortality was recorded during the 15 d challenge period, suggesting that this novel Francisella sp. might be an opportunistic pathogen of fish. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic differences from other Francisella spp. observed in this study, we propose the name Francisella sciaenopsi sp. nov. for this novel isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miku Kawahara
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Theresa T Cody
- Fish and Wildlife Health, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA
| | - Roy P E Yanong
- Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Ruskin, Florida 33570, USA
| | - Eileen Henderson
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, CA 92408, USA
| | - Zeinab Yazdi
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Esteban Soto
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Poudyal S, Pulpipat T, Wang PC, Chen SC. Comparison of the pathogenicity of Francisella orientalis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) through experimental intraperitoneal infection. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2020; 43:1097-1106. [PMID: 32700447 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Francisella orientalis is a highly virulent, emerging bacterium that causes mass mortalities in tilapia. This pathogen also affects numerous other warm-water fish species, including three-line grunt, hybrid striped bass and various ornamental fish. This study sheds light on two new species of fish that are susceptible to F. orientalis. Asian seabass and largemouth bass showed variable levels of susceptibility in a bacterial challenge experiment. After intraperitoneally injected with a dose of 106 CFU/fish, a total of 64.28% and 21.42% mortalities were obtained in Asian seabass and largemouth bass, respectively. Meanwhile, Nile tilapia showed acute mortality of 100%. All fish showed typical lesions of francisellosis, including multifocal granulomas in the spleen and head kidney. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong positive signals inside the granulomas of all fish. The bacterial recovery in solid media from infected fish was highest in Nile tilapia (85.71%), followed by Asian seabass (35.71%) and largemouth bass (21.42%). PCR results tested 100% positive for Nile tilapia, and 78.57% and 21.42% for Asian seabass and largemouth bass, respectively. In conclusion, Asian seabass and largemouth bass are susceptible to this pathogen, which warrants new management strategies when employing predation polyculture systems of these species with tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuj Poudyal
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Theeraporn Pulpipat
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chu Chen
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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Vargas-Lagos C, Martínez D, Oyarzún R, Avendaño-Herrera R, Yáñez AJ, Pontigo JP, Vargas-Chacoff L. High doses of Francisella noatunensis induces an immune response in Eleginops maclovinus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 90:1-11. [PMID: 31015063 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. noatunensis, the etiological agent of Francisellosis, affects a large number of farmed species such as Salmo salar. This species coexists with several native species in the same ecosystem, including Eleginops maclovinus. Our objective was to evaluate the susceptibility, presence of clinical symptoms, and the ability of Eleginops maclovinus to respond to Francisella infection. For this, healthy individuals were inoculated with 1.5 × 101, 1.5 × 105, and 1.5 × 1010 bact/μL of Francisella by intraperitoneal injection, subsequently the fish were sampled on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post injection (dpi). At the end of the experiment, no mortality, nor internal and external clinical signs were observed, although in the high dose anaemia was detected. Additionally, bacteria were detected in all three doses, however there was replication at day 28 only in the liver in the high dose. Analysis of gene expression by qPCR showed that the spleen generated an immune response against infection from day 1 dpi, however at day 7 dpi most of the genes suffered repressed expression; observing over expression of the genes C3, NLRC3, NLRC5, MHCI, IgM. In contrast, expression in the anterior kidney did not vary significantly during the challenge. IgM quantification showed the production of antibodies in the medium and high doses. This study provides new knowledge about Francisella infection and the long-lasting and specific immune response generated by Eleginops maclovinus. It also demonstrates its susceptibility to Francisellosis where there is a difference in the immune response according to the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Vargas-Lagos
- Programa de Magíster en Ciencias, Mención Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; (c)Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Concepción, Chile; Centro FONDAP-IDEAL, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - D Martínez
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de La Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - R Oyarzún
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de La Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - R Avendaño-Herrera
- (c)Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Concepción, Chile; Laboratorio de Patología de Organismos Acuáticos y Biotecnología Acuícola, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña Del Mar, Chile
| | - A J Yáñez
- (c)Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Concepción, Chile; Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - J P Pontigo
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - L Vargas-Chacoff
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Centro FONDAP-IDEAL, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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Pereira FL, Tavares GC, de Carvalho AF, Rosa JCC, Rezende CP, Leal CAG, Figueiredo HCP. Effects of temperature changes in the transcriptional profile of the emerging fish pathogen Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. Microb Pathog 2019; 133:103548. [PMID: 31112771 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
One of the major challenges in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) farming is the occurrence of bacterial infections, and the Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (FNO) is an important pathogen that has emerged in last decades. Francisellosis outbreaks have been reported in the literature as occurring seasonally when water temperature is below 24 °C. The aim of this study was to quantify the median lethal doses (LD50) of FNO in experimental challenges at 28 °C and 22 °C, and to investigate the impact of temperature changes in whole genome expression using microarray technology. The LD50 for Nile tilapia at 28 °C was ∼105.7, whereas at 22 °C, the LD50 was ∼102.2, showing that the decrease in temperature enhanced disease outcome. Out of 1917 genes screened, a total of 31 and 19 genes were down- and up-regulated at 22 °C, respectively. These genes were grouped by orthology into functional categories of: amino acid, inorganic ion, and carbohydrate transport and metabolism; transcription; and posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones. Expression of genes related to metabolism, oxidative stress, and thermal shock were regulated by temperature changes, reflecting an ability of FNO to adapt to the environment. Expression of virulence genes usually required for the Francisella genus was not changed between tested temperatures, including that of genes located on the Francisella Pathogenicity Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Luiz Pereira
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Campos Tavares
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Alex Fiorini de Carvalho
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Júlio César Camara Rosa
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Cristiana Perdigão Rezende
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Augusto Gomes Leal
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Henrique César Pereira Figueiredo
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. http://www.vet.ufmg.br/
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Elumalai P, Prakash P, Musthafa MS, Faggio C. Effect of alkoxy glycerol on growth performance, immune response and disease resistance in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Res Vet Sci 2019; 123:298-304. [PMID: 30769237 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Fish oil and their compounds derived from the same have immense applications in the improvement of health, brain development, enhancing immunity etc. This study aimed at the supplementation of such a compound alkoxy glycerol derived from shark liver oil in fish diet and thereby analyzing growth as well as immune parameters of Oreochromis niloticus. 400 fishes were distributed into 11 glass tanks, and then fishes were weighed before starting the experiment. (Average weight was found to be 5.3 ± 0.10 g). Feed was prepared using alkoxy glycerol in the doses like 5, 10, 15 g kg-1 Fishes were fed with the prepared diet for 30 days and growth parameters like specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. On the 30th day, fishes were challenged with 0.1 ml of normal saline solution containing 107 CFUml-1 of Aeromonas hydrophila and disease resistance was monitored. After 30 days of post challenge observation, immunological and lipid peroxidation assays like alternative complement (ACH50), phagocytosis (PI), respiratory burst activities (RB), and serum lysozyme (SL) were performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preetham Elumalai
- Department of Processing Technology (Biochemistry), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Panangad, Kochi 682 506, Kerala, India; Centre of Excellence in Food Processing Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Panangad, Kochi 682 506, Kerala, India.
| | - Parvathy Prakash
- Centre of Excellence in Food Processing Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Panangad, Kochi 682 506, Kerala, India
| | | | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina-Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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Hennebique A, Boisset S, Maurin M. Tularemia as a waterborne disease: a review. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:1027-1042. [PMID: 31287787 PMCID: PMC6691783 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1638734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative, intracellular bacterium causing the zoonosis tularemia. This highly infectious microorganism is considered a potential biological threat agent. Humans are usually infected through direct contact with the animal reservoir and tick bites. However, tularemia cases also occur after contact with a contaminated hydro-telluric environment. Water-borne tularemia outbreaks and sporadic cases have occurred worldwide in the last decades, with specific clinical and epidemiological traits. These infections represent a major public health and military challenge. Human contaminations have occurred through consumption or use of F. tularensis-contaminated water, and various aquatic activities such as swimming, canyoning and fishing. In addition, in Sweden and Finland, mosquitoes are primary vectors of tularemia due to infection of mosquito larvae in contaminated aquatic environments. The mechanisms of F. tularensis survival in water may include the formation of biofilms, interactions with free-living amoebae, and the transition to a 'viable but nonculturable' state, but the relative contribution of these possible mechanisms remains unknown. Many new aquatic species of Francisella have been characterized in recent years. F. tularensis likely shares with these species an ability of long-term survival in the aquatic environment, which has to be considered in terms of tularemia surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Hennebique
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
| | - Sandrine Boisset
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
| | - Max Maurin
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
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Gonçalves LA, de Castro Soares S, Pereira FL, Dorella FA, de Carvalho AF, de Freitas Almeida GM, Leal CAG, Azevedo V, Figueiredo HCP. Complete genome sequences of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis strains FNO12, FNO24 and FNO190: a fish pathogen with genomic clonal behavior. Stand Genomic Sci 2016; 11:30. [PMID: 27073591 PMCID: PMC4828924 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-016-0151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Francisella is composed of Gram-negative, pleomorphic, strictly aerobic and non-motile bacteria, which are capable of infecting a variety of terrestrial and aquatic animals, among which Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis stands out as the causative agent of pyogranulomatous and granulomatous infections in fish. Accordingly, F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis is responsible for high mortality rates in freshwater fish, especially Nile Tilapia. In the current study, we present the genome sequences of F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis strains FNO12, FNO24 and FNO190. The genomes include one circular chromosome of 1,859,720 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1538 coded proteins and 363 pseudogenes for FNO12; one circular chromosome of 1,862,322 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1537 coded proteins and 365 pseudogenes for FNO24; and one circular chromosome of 1,859,595 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1539 coded proteins and 362 pseudogenes for FNO190. All genomes have similar genetic content, implicating a clonal-like behavior for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Amorim Gonçalves
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Siomar de Castro Soares
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Felipe Luiz Pereira
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Alves Dorella
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alex Fiorini de Carvalho
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Gomes Leal
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Henrique César Pereira Figueiredo
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Whole-Genome Sequence of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis Strain FNO01 Isolated from Diseased Nile Tilapia in Brazil. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2016; 4:4/1/e01603-15. [PMID: 26798105 PMCID: PMC4722272 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.01603-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the complete genome sequence of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis strain FNO01, which was isolated during the first outbreak of francisellosis in cultured Nile tilapia in Brazil. The genome is composed of a circular chromosome with 1,859,830 bp and a G+C content of ~32%.
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Soto E, Halliday-Simmonds I, Francis S, Kearney MT, Hansen JD. Biofilm formation of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. Vet Microbiol 2015; 181:313-7. [PMID: 26507830 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) is an emergent fish pathogen in both marine and fresh water environments. The bacterium is suspected to persist in the environment even without the presence of a suitable fish host. In the present study, the influence of different abiotic factors such as salinity and temperature were used to study the biofilm formation of different isolates of Fno including intracellular growth loci C (iglC) and pathogenicity determinant protein A (pdpA) knockout strains. Finally, we compared the susceptibility of planktonic and biofilm to three disinfectants used in the aquaculture and ornamental fish industry, namely Virkon(®), bleach and hydrogen peroxide. The data indicates that Fno is capable of producing biofilms within 24 h where both salinity as well as temperature plays a role in the growth and biofilm formation of Fno. Mutations in the iglC or pdpA, both known virulence factors, do not appear to affect the capacity of Fno to produce biofilms, and the minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum biocidal concentration for the three disinfectants were lower than the minimum biofilm eradication concentration values. This information needs to be taken into account if trying to eradicate the pathogen from aquaculture facilities or aquariums.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Soto
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
| | - Iona Halliday-Simmonds
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Stewart Francis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Michael T Kearney
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - John D Hansen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
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Identification of Francisella noatunensis in novel host species French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) and Caesar grunt (Haemulon carbonarium). J Zoo Wildl Med 2014; 45:727-31. [PMID: 25314854 DOI: 10.1638/2014-0059r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis is an emerging pathogen of fish that has been isolated from several cultured species worldwide. Here presented is a case involving several hundred marine grunts that were caught near the Florida Keys for display in public aquaria. These fish were maintained in a recirculating system where they began to experience mortalities approximately two weeks post-stocking. Postmortem examination revealed disseminated systemic granulomatous disease most severely affecting spleen and kidney. Splenic and renal tissue homogenates inoculated in modified Thayer Martin agar media yielded colonies consistent with F. noatunensis 4 days post inoculation. Bacterial colonies and tissues were confirmed positive after real-time PCR amplification of the intracellular growth loci gene (iglC) specific for F. noatunensis subspecies orientalis. Consequently, multiple novel host species for this pathogen were identified, including the French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) and the Caesar grunt (Haemulon carbonarium).
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Soto E, Kidd S, Gaunt PS, Endris R. Efficacy of florfenicol for control of mortality associated with Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2013; 36:411-418. [PMID: 23134104 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2012.01425.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) (syn. F. asiatica) is an emergent Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium. Although it is considered one of the most pathogenic bacteria in fish, there are no commercially available treatments or vaccines. The objective of this project was to determine the most efficacious concentration of florfenicol (FFC) [10, 15 or 20 mg FFC kg(-1) body weight (bw) per days for 10 days] administered in feed to control experimentally induced infections of Fno in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), reared in a recirculating aquaculture system. The cumulative mortality of fish that received 0, 10, 15 or 20 mg FFC kg(-1) bw per day was 60, 37, 14 and 16%, respectively. Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis genome equivalents were detected in water from all challenged groups with slight reduction in the concentration in the florfenicol-treated groups 4 days after treatment. The mean LOG of CFU Fno mg(-1) spleen was 3-5 and was present in all challenged groups at necropsy 11 days after treatment (21 days after challenge). Results show that florfenicol administered at doses of 15 and 20 mg FFC kg(-1) bw per days for 10 days significantly reduced mortality associated with francisellosis in Nile tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Soto
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
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12
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Duodu S, Larsson P, Sjödin A, Forsman M, Colquhoun DJ. The distribution of Francisella-like bacteria associated with coastal waters in Norway. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2012; 64:370-7. [PMID: 22370877 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-012-0023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
We report the diversity and distribution of Francisella species in Norwegian coastal and fresh waters following a nationwide survey in which water and sediment samples were collected from locations spanning almost the entire Norwegian coastline. In total, samples were obtained from 149 and 64 seawater and freshwater sites, respectively. DNA extracts from these environmental samples were initially screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Francisella genus-specific 16S rDNA primers. Positive samples were then amplified with genus-specific primers targeting Francisella succinate dehydrogenase A gene and Francisella philomiragia group-specific sequences for the SAICAR synthetase/phosphoribosylamine-glycine ligase gene. Francisella-related bacteria were identified in approximately 30% of seawater sampled sites, mainly in southern Norway, although a single positive sample was identified in the far north of the country. No PCR positives were identified from the freshwater sources. Sequences related to recognised species, both pathogenic and environmental, were identified, with the majority closely associated with F. philomiragia. However, a number of identified sequences probably represent previously undescribed species. Our data provide evidence of a significant background of Francisella spp. in geographical areas associated with outbreaks of fish francisellosis in Norway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Duodu
- Section for Bacteriology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ullevaalsveien 68, P.O. Box 750, Sentrum, 0106, Oslo, Norway.
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