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Wyrsch ER, Hoye BJ, Sanderson-Smith M, Gorman J, Maute K, Cummins ML, Jarocki VM, Marenda MS, Dolejska M, Djordjevic SP. The faecal microbiome of the Australian silver gull contains phylogenetically diverse ExPEC, aEPEC and Escherichia coli carrying the transmissible locus of stress tolerance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170815. [PMID: 38336047 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Wildlife are implicated in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, but their roles as hosts for Escherichia coli that pose a threat to human and animal health is limited. Gulls (family Laridae) in particular, are known to carry diverse lineages of multiple-antibiotic resistant E. coli, including extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Whole genome sequencing of 431 E. coli isolates from 69 healthy Australian silver gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) sampled during the 2019 breeding season, and without antibiotic selection, was undertaken to assess carriage in an urban wildlife population. Phylogenetic analysis and genotyping resolved 123 sequence types (STs) representing most phylogroups, and identified diverse ExPEC, including an expansive phylogroup B2 cluster comprising 103 isolates (24 %; 31 STs). Analysis of the mobilome identified: i) widespread carriage of the Yersinia High Pathogenicity Island (HPI), a key ExPEC virulence determinant; ii) broad distribution of two novel phage elements, each carrying sitABCD and iii) carriage of the transmissible locus of stress tolerance (tLST), an element linked to sanitation resistance. Of the 169 HPI carrying isolates, 49 (48 %) represented diverse B2 isolates hosting FII-64 ColV-like plasmids that lacked iutABC and sitABC operons typical of ColV plasmids, but carried the serine protease autotransporter gene, sha. Diverse E. coli also carried archetypal ColV plasmids (52 isolates; 12 %). Clusters of closely related E. coli (<50 SNVs) from ST58, ST457 and ST746, sourced from healthy gulls, humans, and companion animals, were frequently identified. In summary, anthropogenically impacted gulls host an expansive E. coli population, including: i) putative ExPEC that carry ColV virulence gene cargo (101 isolates; 23.4 %) and HPI (169 isolates; 39 %); ii) atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (17 isolates; 3.9 %), and iii) E. coli that carry the tLST (20 isolates; 4.6 %). Gulls play an important role in the evolution and transmission of E. coli that impact human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan R Wyrsch
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Bethany J Hoye
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina Sanderson-Smith
- Molecular Horizons Research Institute, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jody Gorman
- Molecular Horizons Research Institute, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Kimberly Maute
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Max L Cummins
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Veronica M Jarocki
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Marc S Marenda
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Monika Dolejska
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Czech Republic; CEITEC VETUNI, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, The University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Plzen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Steven P Djordjevic
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
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2
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Chauhan R, Tall BD, Gopinath G, Azmi W, Goel G. Environmental risk factors associated with the survival, persistence, and thermal tolerance of Cronobacter sakazakii during the manufacture of powdered infant formula. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023; 63:12224-12239. [PMID: 35838158 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2099809] [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: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen of concern for foods having low water activity such as powdered infant formula (PIF). Its survival under desiccated stress can be attributed to its ability to adapt effectively to many different environmental stresses. Due to the high risk to neonates and its sporadic outbreaks in PIF, C. sakazakii received great attention among the scientific community, food industry and health care providers. There are many extrinsic and intrinsic factors that affect C. sakazakii survival in low-moisture foods. Moreover, short- or long-term pre-exposure to sub-lethal physiological stresses which are commonly encountered in food processing environments are reported to affect the thermal resistance of C. sakazakii. Additionally, acclimation to these stresses may render C. sakazakii resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents. This article reviews the factors and the strategies responsible for the survival and persistence of C. sakazakii in PIF. Particularly, studies focused on the influence of various factors on thermal resistance, antibiotic or antimicrobial resistance, virulence potential and stress-associated gene expression are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Chauhan
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India
| | | | - Gopal Gopinath
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Wamik Azmi
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India
| | - Gunjan Goel
- Department of Microbiology, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahindra, India
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3
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Mousavi ZE, Hunt K, Koolman L, Butler F, Fanning S. Cronobacter Species in the Built Food Production Environment: A Review on Persistence, Pathogenicity, Regulation and Detection Methods. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1379. [PMID: 37374881 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The powdered formula market is large and growing, with sales and manufacturing increasing by 120% between 2012 and 2021. With this growing market, there must come an increasing emphasis on maintaining a high standard of hygiene to ensure a safe product. In particular, Cronobacter species pose a risk to public health through their potential to cause severe illness in susceptible infants who consume contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF). Assessment of this risk is dependent on determining prevalence in PIF-producing factories, which can be challenging to measure with the heterogeneity observed in the design of built process facilities. There is also a potential risk of bacterial growth occurring during rehydration, given the observed persistence of Cronobacter in desiccated conditions. In addition, novel detection methods are emerging to effectively track and monitor Cronobacter species across the food chain. This review will explore the different vehicles that lead to Cronobacter species' environmental persistence in the food production environment, as well as their pathogenicity, detection methods and the regulatory framework surrounding PIF manufacturing that ensures a safe product for the global consumer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Ebrahimzadeh Mousavi
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Faculties of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj 6719418314, Iran
| | - Kevin Hunt
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Leonard Koolman
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Francis Butler
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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4
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Soni A, Bremer P, Brightwell G. A Comprehensive Review of Variability in the Thermal Resistance (D-Values) of Food-Borne Pathogens-A Challenge for Thermal Validation Trials. Foods 2022; 11:foods11244117. [PMID: 36553859 PMCID: PMC9777713 DOI: 10.3390/foods11244117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The thermal processing of food relies heavily on determining the right time and temperature regime required to inactivate bacterial contaminants to an acceptable limit. To design a thermal processing regime with an accurate time and temperature combination, the D-values of targeted microorganisms are either referred to or estimated. The D-value is the time required at a given temperature to reduce the bacterial population by 90%. The D-value can vary depending on various factors such as the food matrix, the bacterial strain, and the conditions it has previously been exposed to; the intrinsic properties of the food (moisture, water activity, fat content, and pH); the method used to expose the microorganism to the thermal treatment either at the laboratory or commercial scale; the approach used to estimate the number of survivors; and the statistical model used for the analysis of the data. This review focused on Bacillus cereus, Cronobacter sakazakii, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium perfringens owing to their pathogenicity and the availability of publications on their thermal resistance. The literature indicates a significant variation in D-values reported for the same strain, and it is concluded that when designing thermal processing regimes, the impact of multiple factors on the D-values of a specific microorganism needs to be considered. Further, owing to the complexity of the interactions involved, the effectiveness of regimes derived laboratory data must be confirmed within industrial food processing settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswathi Soni
- Food System Integrity, Smart Foods and Bioproducts, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North 4414, New Zealand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +64-6350-0819
| | - Phil Bremer
- Department of Food Science, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
| | - Gale Brightwell
- Food System Integrity, Smart Foods and Bioproducts, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North 4414, New Zealand
- New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
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Kim H, Moon S, Ham S, Lee K, Römling U, Lee C. Cytoplasmic molecular chaperones in Pseudomonas species. J Microbiol 2022; 60:1049-1060. [PMID: 36318358 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-022-2425-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas is widespread in various environmental and host niches. To promote rejuvenation, cellular protein homeostasis must be finely tuned in response to diverse stresses, such as extremely high and low temperatures, oxidative stress, and desiccation, which can result in protein homeostasis imbalance. Molecular chaperones function as key components that aid protein folding and prevent protein denaturation. Pseudomonas, an ecologically important bacterial genus, includes human and plant pathogens as well as growth-promoting symbionts and species useful for bioremediation. In this review, we focus on protein quality control systems, particularly molecular chaperones, in ecologically diverse species of Pseudomonas, including the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, the soil species Pseudomonas putida, and the psychrophilic Pseudomonas antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunhee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjoon Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojeong Ham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihyun Lee
- CJ Bioscience, Seoul, 04527, Republic of Korea
| | - Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Changhan Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Plum Pox Virus Genome-Based Vector Enables the Expression of Different Heterologous Polypeptides in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10081526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant viral vectors have become a promising tool for the rapid and cost-effective production of recombinant proteins in plants. Among the numerous genera of viruses that have been used for heterologous expression, potyviruses offer several advantages, such as polyprotein expression strategy or a broad host range. In our work, the expression vectors pAD/pAD-agro based on the plum pox virus (PPV) genome were used for the heterologous expression of different foreign polypeptides: alfalfa mosaic virus capsid protein (AMV CP), zucchini yellow mosaic virus capsid protein (ZYMV CP), the small heat-shock protein of Cronobacter sakazakii fused with hexahistidine (sHSP-his), a fragment of influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA2-2), influenza A virus protein PB1-F2, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (CoN2-his), and its N- and C-terminal fragments (CoN-1-his and CoN3-his, respectively), each fused with a hexahistidine anchor. Particular proteins differed in their accumulation, tissue localization, stability, and solubility. The accumulation rate of produced polypeptides varied from low (N, hemagglutinin fragment) to relatively high (plant viral CPs, N-terminal fragment of N, PB1-F2). Some proteins preferentially accumulated in roots (sHSP, hemagglutinin fragment, PB1-F2), showing signs of proteolytic degradation in leaf tissues. Thus, each expression requires an individual approach and optimization. Here, we summarize our several-year experiments and discuss the usefulness of the pAD/pADep vector system.
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7
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Yemiş GP, Yemiş O, Drover JC, Delaquis P. Antibacterial activity of a polyphenol-rich haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) extract and tannic acid against Cronobacter spp. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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9
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Ecology and Function of the Transmissible Locus of Stress Tolerance in Escherichia coli and Plant-Associated Enterobacteriaceae. mSystems 2021; 6:e0037821. [PMID: 34402641 PMCID: PMC8407380 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00378-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The transmissible locus of stress tolerance (tLST) is a genomic island which confers resistance to heat and chlorine. In this study, we determined that the tLST is frequent in genomes of those Enterobacteriaceae that occur in association with plants as well as the intestines of humans and animals and are relevant as nosocomial pathogens, e.g., Klebsiella and Cronobacter species. The tLST is more frequent in environmental and clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae than in animal isolates, and heat and chlorine resistance of tLST-positive strains of K. pneumoniae matched the resistance of tLST-positive strains of Escherichia coli. The function of 13 tLST genes was determined by assessing the heat and chlorine resistance of E. coli MG1655 mutants. The deletion of sHsp20, clpKGI, sHspGI, pscA, pscB, and hdeDGI reduced both heat and chlorine resistance; deletion of kefB reduced only chlorine resistance. Genes coding for heat shock proteins sHsp20, clpKGI, and sHspGI decreased the oxidation of cytoplasmic proteins, while kefB decreased the oxidation of membrane lipids. The fitness cost of the tLST for E. coli MG1655 was assessed by pairwise competition experiments with isogenic tLST-positive or tLST-negative strains. The tLST imposes a fitness cost that is compensated for by frequent and lethal challenges with chlorine. All core genes need to be present to maintain the ecological advantage relative to the fitness cost. Taken together, core tLST genes are necessary to provide protection for E. coli against heat and chlorine stress, and the selective pressure for the tLST maintains core genes. IMPORTANCE The transmissible locus of stress tolerance (tLST) is a genomic island comprising 10 core genes that occurs in diverse Enterobacteriaceae and confers resistance to heat and chlorine. Experimentation described in the manuscript describes the physiological function of the core genes by characterization of the resistance of 13 single-knockout (KO) mutants and by characterization of protein and membrane oxidation in these strains after chlorine challenge. Results identify tLST resistance as a genomic island that is specific for those Enterobacteriaceae that occur in plant-associated habitats as well in the intestines of vertebrates. In addition, the ecological function of the genomic island was characterized by large-scale genomic analysis and competition experiments of wild-type and mutant strains. Results suggest that tLST-mediated resistance to chlorine may contribute to the persistence of nosocomial pathogens in hospitals.
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10
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Kamal SM, Simpson DJ, Wang Z, Gänzle M, Römling U. Horizontal Transmission of Stress Resistance Genes Shape the Ecology of Beta- and Gamma-Proteobacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:696522. [PMID: 34295324 PMCID: PMC8290217 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.696522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmissible locus of stress tolerance (tLST) is found mainly in beta- and gamma-Proteobacteria and confers tolerance to elevated temperature, pressure, and chlorine. This genomic island, previously referred to as transmissible locus of protein quality control or locus of heat resistance likely originates from an environmental bacterium thriving in extreme habitats, but has been widely transmitted by lateral gene transfer. Although highly conserved, the gene content on the island is subject to evolution and gene products such as small heat shock proteins are present in several functionally distinct sequence variants. A number of these genes are xenologs of core genome genes with the gene products to widen the substrate spectrum and to be highly (complementary) expressed thus their functionality to become dominant over core genome genes. In this review, we will present current knowledge of the function of core tLST genes and discuss current knowledge on selection and counter-selection processes that favor maintenance of the tLST island, with frequent acquisition of gene products involved in cyclic di-GMP signaling, in different habitats from the environment to animals and plants, processed animal and plant products, man-made environments, and subsequently humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shady Mansour Kamal
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - David J Simpson
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Zhiying Wang
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Gänzle
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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Qin X, Wang H, Miao C, Yang X, Zhang Y, Feng J, Forsythe SJ, Man C, Jiang Y. Comparative genomics reveals environmental adaptation differences between Cronobacter species. Food Res Int 2021; 147:110541. [PMID: 34399518 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The genus Cronobacter is an opportunistic food-borne pathogen which is able to adapt to diverse environments and shows considerable genetic diversity. Genomic analysis can be used to reveal the variation across the genus with respect to virulence, drug resistance and factors involved in horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, such as integrons, conjugative plasmids, and recombinases. In this study, whole-genome comparative analysis of 27 Cronobacter genomes (12 existing and 15 newly assembled genomes) was performed. A total of 110,010 protein-coding genes were grouped into 11,262 clusters, including 2637 core genes, 4814 strain-specific genes and 3811 dispensable genes. Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) analysis indicated that 97.35% of the core genes were for substrate transport and metabolism, and the antibiotic resistance genetic determinants were classified into 136 antibiotic resistance ontologies (AROs). A total of 80 genomic islands (GIs) were identified which contained several type VI secretion system gene clusters, and these were likely to have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer. This study has generated a comprehensive characterization of the genus Cronobacter, leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms and ecological functions among the genome features, speciation, and environmental adaptation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Qin
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Hao Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Chao Miao
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Xinyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yanming Zhang
- SinoGenoMax Co., Ltd./Chinese National Human Genome Center, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Jing Feng
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | | | - Chaoxin Man
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
| | - Yujun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
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12
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Bacterial cyclic diguanylate signaling networks sense temperature. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1986. [PMID: 33790266 PMCID: PMC8012707 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22176-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria use the second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) to control motility, biofilm production and virulence. Here, we identify a thermosensory diguanylate cyclase (TdcA) that modulates temperature-dependent motility, biofilm development and virulence in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. TdcA synthesizes c-di-GMP with catalytic rates that increase more than a hundred-fold over a ten-degree Celsius change. Analyses using protein chimeras indicate that heat-sensing is mediated by a thermosensitive Per-Arnt-SIM (PAS) domain. TdcA homologs are widespread in sequence databases, and a distantly related, heterologously expressed homolog from the Betaproteobacteria order Gallionellales also displayed thermosensitive diguanylate cyclase activity. We propose, therefore, that thermotransduction is a conserved function of c-di-GMP signaling networks, and that thermosensitive catalysis of a second messenger constitutes a mechanism for thermal sensing in bacteria.
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Locus of Heat Resistance (LHR) in Meat-Borne Escherichia coli: Screening and Genetic Characterization. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02343-20. [PMID: 33483306 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02343-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial resistance to processing treatments poses a food safety concern, as treatment tolerant pathogens can emerge. Occasional foodborne outbreaks caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli have led to human and economic losses. Therefore, this study screened for the extreme heat resistance (XHR) phenotype as well as one known genetic marker, the locus of heat resistance (LHR), in 4,123 E. coli isolates from diverse meat animals at different processing stages. The prevalences of XHR and LHR among the meat-borne E. coli were found to be 10.3% and 11.4%, respectively, with 19% agreement between the two. Finished meat products showed the highest LHR prevalence (24.3%) compared to other processing stages (0 to 0.6%). None of the LHR+ E. coli in this study would be considered pathogens based on screening for virulence genes. Four high-quality genomes were generated by whole-genome sequencing of representative LHR+ isolates. Nine horizontally acquired LHRs were identified and characterized, four plasmid-borne and five chromosomal. Nine newly identified LHRs belong to ClpK1 LHR or ClpK2 LHR variants sharing 61 to 68% nucleotide sequence identity, while one LHR appears to be a hybrid. Our observations suggest positive correlation between the number of LHR regions present in isolates and the extent of heat resistance. The isolate exhibiting the highest degree of heat resistance possessed four LHRs belonging to three different variant groups. Maintenance of as many as four LHRs in a single genome emphasizes the benefits of the LHR in bacterial physiology and stress response.IMPORTANCE Currently, a "multiple-hurdle" approach based on a combination of different antimicrobial interventions, including heat, is being utilized during meat processing to control the burden of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. Our recent study (M. Guragain, G. E. Smith, D. A. King, and J. M. Bosilevac, J Food Prot 83:1438-1443, 2020, https://doi.org/10.4315/JFP-20-103) suggests that U.S. beef cattle harbor Escherichia coli that possess the locus of heat resistance (LHR). LHR seemingly contributes to the global stress tolerance in bacteria and hence poses a food safety concern. Therefore, it is important to understand the distribution of the LHRs among meat-borne bacteria identified at different stages of different meat processing systems. Complete genome sequencing and comparative analysis of selected heat-resistant bacteria provide a clearer understanding of stress and heat resistance mechanisms. Further, sequencing data may offer a platform to gain further insights into the genetic background that provides optimal bacterial tolerance against heat and other processing treatments.
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14
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Guragain M, Smith GE, King DA, Bosilevac JM. Prevalence of Extreme Heat-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Carried by U.S. Cattle at Harvest. J Food Prot 2020; 83:1438-1443. [PMID: 32299091 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-20-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Prevalence of heat-resistant bacteria in beef poses a potential problem as thermal interventions are routinely used in beef processing to control contamination. Despite extreme heat-resistant (XHR) Escherichia coli having been isolated from a ground beef processing plant, there has not been a study to assess the prevalence of XHR E. coli among types of cattle. Therefore, this study used a screening assay for XHR gram-negative bacteria and its molecular determinant, the locus of heat resistance (LHR), on feces collected from U.S. cattle. Fecal samples were collected from fed (n = 538), cull dairy (n = 425), and cull beef (n = 475) cattle at nine regional beef processing plants located across the United States. Among the 1,438 cattle sampled from northern (n = 288), southern (n = 288), eastern (n = 287), western (n = 287), and central (n = 288) regions of the United States, 91 (6.3%) cattle showed presence of XHR bacteria, as evident by growth in MacConkey broth following heat treatment of 80°C for 15 min, in their feces. Heat-resistant bacteria (n = 140) were isolated from the 91 fecal samples. Prevalence of XHR bacteria was highest (11%) in cattle from the northern region. Ninety percent of the XHR isolates were identified as E. coli. Multiplex PCR of all 1,438 fecal samples showed that the LHR was absent in 40.7% of samples and intact in 18.7% of samples. Despite the higher prevalence of intact LHR from PCR analysis, only 11 samples (0.8%) were confirmed to contain bacteria with an intact LHR. The LHR was absent in 91% of XHR bacteria, and only 7.9% of XHR bacteria had intact LHR, suggesting a novel mechanism of heat resistance. By developing and using the screening assays, we established the prevalence of XHR bacteria (6.3%) and LHR+ bacteria (0.8%) in U.S. beef cattle. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Manita Guragain
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur D, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933, USA.,ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5266-1746 [M.G.]
| | - Gregory E Smith
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur D, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933, USA
| | - David A King
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur D, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933, USA
| | - Joseph M Bosilevac
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, P.O. Box 166, State Spur D, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933, USA.,ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0258-6581 [J.M.B.]
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Dos Santos Rosario AIL, da Silva Mutz Y, Castro VS, da Silva MCA, Conte-Junior CA, da Costa MP. Everybody loves cheese: crosslink between persistence and virulence of Shiga-toxin Escherichia coli. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2020; 61:1877-1899. [PMID: 32519880 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1767033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
General cheese manufacturing involves high temperatures, fermentation and ripening steps that function as hurdles to microbial growth. On the other hand, the application of several different formulations and manufacturing techniques may create a bacterial protective environment. In cheese, the persistent behavior of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) relies on complex mechanisms that enable bacteria to respond to stressful conditions found in cheese matrix. In this review, we discuss how STEC manages to survive to high and low temperatures, hyperosmotic conditions, exposure to weak organic acids, and pH decreasing related to cheese manufacturing, the cheese matrix itself and storage. Moreover, we discuss how these stress responses interact with each other by enhancing adaptation and consequently, the persistence of STEC in cheese. Further, we show how virulence genes eae and tir are affected by stress response mechanisms, increasing either cell adherence or virulence factors production, which leads to a selection of more resistant and virulent pathogens in the cheese industry, leading to a public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisio Iuri Lima Dos Santos Rosario
- Postgraduate Program in Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of Veterinary, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Yhan da Silva Mutz
- Postgraduate Program in Food Science, Chemistry Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Silva Castro
- Postgraduate Program in Food Science, Chemistry Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maurício Costa Alves da Silva
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of Veterinary, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Carlos Adam Conte-Junior
- Postgraduate Program in Food Science, Chemistry Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil.,National Institute for Health Quality Control, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marion Pereira da Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of Veterinary, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
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16
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Jang H, Gopinath GR, Eshwar A, Srikumar S, Nguyen S, Gangiredla J, Patel IR, Finkelstein SB, Negrete F, Woo J, Lee Y, Fanning S, Stephan R, Tall BD, Lehner A. The Secretion of Toxins and Other Exoproteins of Cronobacter: Role in Virulence, Adaption, and Persistence. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E229. [PMID: 32046365 PMCID: PMC7074816 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
: Cronobacter species are considered an opportunistic group of foodborne pathogenic bacteria capable of causing both intestinal and systemic human disease. This review describes common virulence themes shared among the seven Cronobacter species and describes multiple exoproteins secreted by Cronobacter, many of which are bacterial toxins that may play a role in human disease. The review will particularly concentrate on the virulence factors secreted by C. sakazakii, C. malonaticus, and C. turicensis, which are the primary human pathogens of interest. It has been discovered that various species-specific virulence factors adversely affect a wide range of eukaryotic cell processes including protein synthesis, cell division, and ion secretion. Many of these factors are toxins which have been shown to also modulate the host immune response. These factors are encoded on a variety of mobile genetic elements such as plasmids and transposons; this genomic plasticity implies ongoing re-assortment of virulence factor genes which has complicated our efforts to categorize Cronobacter into sharply defined genomic pathotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyein Jang
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Gopal R. Gopinath
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Athmanya Eshwar
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (A.E.); (R.S.); (A.L.)
| | - Shabarinath Srikumar
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, Science Centre South, University College Dublin, Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland; (S.S.); (S.N.); (S.F.)
| | - Scott Nguyen
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, Science Centre South, University College Dublin, Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland; (S.S.); (S.N.); (S.F.)
| | - Jayanthi Gangiredla
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Isha R. Patel
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Samantha B. Finkelstein
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Flavia Negrete
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - JungHa Woo
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - YouYoung Lee
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, Science Centre South, University College Dublin, Dublin Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland; (S.S.); (S.N.); (S.F.)
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (A.E.); (R.S.); (A.L.)
| | - Ben D. Tall
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA; (H.J.); (J.G.); (F.N.); (J.W.); (Y.L.)
| | - Angelika Lehner
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich CH-8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (A.E.); (R.S.); (A.L.)
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17
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Li H, Mercer R, Behr J, Heinzlmeir S, McMullen LM, Vogel RF, Gänzle MG. Heat and Pressure Resistance in Escherichia coli Relates to Protein Folding and Aggregation. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:111. [PMID: 32117137 PMCID: PMC7010813 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The locus of heat resistance (LHR) confers extreme heat resistance in Escherichia coli. This study explored the role of the LHR in heat and pressure resistance of E. coli, as well as its relationship with protein folding and aggregation in vivo. The role of LHR was investigated in E. coli MG1655 and the pressure resistant E. coli LMM1010 expressing an ibpA-yfp fusion protein to visualize inclusion bodies by fluorescence microscopy. The expression of proteins by the LHR was determined by proteomic analysis; inclusion bodies of untreated and treated cells were also analyzed by proteomics, and by fluorescent microscopy. In total, 11 proteins of LHR were expressed: sHSP20, ClpKGI, sHSP, YdfX1 and YdfX2, HdeD, KefB, Trx, PsiE, DegP, and a hypothetical protein. The proteomic analysis of inclusion bodies revealed a differential abundance of proteins related to oxidative stress in strains carrying the LHR. The LHR reduced the presence of inclusion bodies after heat or pressure treatment, indicating that proteins expressed by the LHR prevent protein aggregation, or disaggregate proteins. This phenotype of the LHR was also conferred by expression of a fragment containing only sHSP20, ClpKGI, and sHSP. The LHR and the fragment encoding only sHSP20, ClpKGI, and sHSP also enhanced pressure resistance in E. coli MG1655 but had no effect on pressure resistance of E. coli LMM1010. In conclusion, the LHR confers pressure resistance to some strains of E. coli, and reduces protein aggregation. Pressure and heat resistance are also dependent on additional LHR-encoded functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agro-food Quality and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Ryan Mercer
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jürgen Behr
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Stephanie Heinzlmeir
- Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Lynn M McMullen
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rudi F Vogel
- Technical University of Munich - Lehrstuhl fär Technische Mikrobiologie, Freising, Germany
| | - Michael G Gänzle
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,College of Bioengineering and Food Science, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
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18
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Characterization of Escherichia coli possessing the locus of heat resistance isolated from human cases of acute gastroenteritis. Food Microbiol 2019; 88:103400. [PMID: 31997757 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2019.103400] [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: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify Escherichia coli isolates obtained from patients experiencing acute gastroenteritis that possess the locus of heat resistance (LHR) and characterize their heat resistance upon exposure to temperatures of 60 °C and 71 °C. From a collection of 613 clinical E. coli strains, 3 heat resistant E. coli isolates were identified. Two of the 3 isolates were stx1 positive; no isolates possessed stx2 as determined by qPCR. D60-values of heat resistant isolates all exceeded 10.20 min with one isolate's D60-values ranging from 20.46 to 72.47 min. The presence of 4% additional NaCl significantly increased D60-values of 2 clinical isolates. Cell reductions of heat resistant isolates in ground beef patties grilled to 60 °C and 71 °C remained above 2.8 and 4.9 log CFU/mL, respectively, compared to reductions of 6.1 log CFU/mL and greater in heat sensitive E. coli. Constitutive expression of novel Clp protease ClpK, encoded on open reading frame 3 of the LHR, was identified in all heat resistant isolates by SDS-PAGE and peptide mass fingerprinting. This data is the first to report heat resistant E. coli possessing the LHR involved in clinical infection, highlighting the potential threat of heat resistant enteric pathogens on food safety.
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19
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Aly MA, Domig KJ, Kneifel W, Reimhult E. Whole Genome Sequencing-Based Comparison of Food Isolates of Cronobacter sakazakii. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1464. [PMID: 31333604 PMCID: PMC6615433 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cronobacter sakazakii is an emerging foodborne pathogen, which is linked to life-threatening infections causing septicemia, meningitis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. These infections have been epidemiologically connected to ingestion of contaminated reconstituted powder infant formula. Even at low water activity C. sakazakii can survive for a long time; it is capable of protective biofilm formation and occasionally shows high virulence and pathogenicity even following stressful environmental conditions. Hence it is a challenging task for the food industry to control contamination of food ingredients and products through the entire production chain, since an increasing number of severe food-related outbreaks of C. sakazakii infections has been observed. The seemingly great capability of C. sakazakii to survive even strict countermeasures combined with its prevalence in many food ingredients requires a greater in depth understanding of its virulence factors to master the food safety issues related to this organism. In this context, we present the whole genome sequence (WGS) of two different C. sakazakii isolated from skimmed milk powder (C7) and ready-to-eat salad mix (C8), respectively. These are compared to other, already sequenced, C. sakazakii genomes. Sequencing of the fusA allele revealed that both isolates were C. sakazakii. We investigated the molecular characteristics of both isolates relevant for genes associated with pathogenesis and virulence factors, resistance to stressful environmental conditions (e.g., osmotic and heat), survival in desiccation as well as conducted a comparative genomic analysis. By using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), the genetic type of both isolates is assessed and the number of unique genes is determined. DNA of C. sakazakii C8 is shown to hold a novel and unique sequence type; the number of unique genes identified in the genomic sequence of C. sakazakii C7 and C8 were 109 and 188, respectively. Some of the determined unique genes such as the rhs and VgrG genes are linked to the Type VI Secretion System cluster, which is associated with pathogenicity and virulence factors. Moreover, seven genes encoding for multi-drug resistance were found in both isolates. The finding of a number of genes linked to producing capsules and biofilm are likely related to the observed resistance to desiccation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Aly
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Biologically Inspired Materials, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria.,Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Konrad J Domig
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Food Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Kneifel
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Food Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Erik Reimhult
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Biologically Inspired Materials, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
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20
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21
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Liu L, Wang S, Guo X, Zhao T, Zhang B. Succession and diversity of microorganisms and their association with physicochemical properties during green waste thermophilic composting. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 73:101-112. [PMID: 29279244 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive characterization of the bacterial diversity associated to thermophilic stages of green waste composting was achieved. In this study, eight different treatments (T1-T8) and three replicated lab-scale green waste composting were carried out to compare the effect of the cellulase (i.e. 0, 2%), microbial inoculum (i.e. 0, 2 and 4%) and particle size (i.e. 2 and 5 mm) on bacterial community structure. Physicochemical properties and bacterial communities of T1-T8 composts were observed, and the bacterial structure and diversity were examined by high-throughput sequencing via a MiSeq platform. The results showed that the most abundant phyla among the treatments were the Firmicutes, Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria. The shannon index and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) showed higher bacterial abundance and diversity at the metaphase of composting. Comparing with 5-mm treatments, particle size of 2-mm had a richer diversity of bacterial communities. The addition of cellulase and a microbial inoculum could promote the fermentation temperature, reduce the compost pH and C/N ratio and result in higher GI index. The humic substance (HS) and humic acid (HA) contents for 2-mm particle size treatments were higher than those of 5-mm treatments. Canonical correspondence analysis suggested that differences in bacterial abundance and diversity significantly correlated with HA, E4/E6 and temperature, and the relationship between bacterial diversity and environmental parameters was affected by composting stages. Based on these results, the application of cellulase to promote green waste composting was feasible, and particle size was identified as a potential control of composting physicochemical properties and bacterial diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Liu
- College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Key Lab of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Combating, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Shuqi Wang
- Tianjin LVYIN Landscape and Ecology Construction Co., Ltd, Tianjin 300384, PR China
| | - Xiaoping Guo
- College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Key Lab of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Combating, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Tingning Zhao
- College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Key Lab of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Combating, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Bolin Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China
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22
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Characterisation of Cronobacter strains isolated from hospitalised adult patients. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2017; 111:1073-1085. [PMID: 29270766 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-017-1008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria belonging to the genus Cronobacter are opportunistic pathogens known for causing rare but serious infections in neonates, including meningitis, necrotising enterocolitis and sepsis. Cronobacter infections occur also in adult populations, however, they generally have milder manifestations and their prevalence is uncertain. In this study, the presence of Cronobacter strains from adult patients in the University Hospital in Bratislava was investigated and overall 18 confirmed isolates from 321 patients (5.3%) were recovered. No Cronobacter positive sample was detected in 215 sputum samples from outpatients. The highest occurrence of Cronobacter strains was observed from stroke patients and this may be associated with an abnormal swallowing ability. The isolated strains belonged to the species Cronobacter sakazakii and Cronobacter malonaticus. In silico genotyping (MLST, CRISPR-cas array profiling) of whole genome sequences assigned the strains to three different MLST clones. The majority (12/18) of the isolated strains were sequence type ST513 or single locus variants ST514 and ST515, thereby being members of C. sakazakii pathovar clonal complex CC4. However, according to core genome MLST analysis the ST513-ST515 strains created a unique cluster substantially different from other CC4 strains. The isolated strains were susceptible to 18 tested antibiotics. All strains possess a genomic island encoding for increased thermal tolerance. As Cronobacter strains are frequently present in dried foods of plant origin, spread of a specific clone within a hospital may be caused by food transmission and may be facilitated by its tolerance to environmental stresses such as desiccation and temperature.
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23
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Functional Analysis of Genes Comprising the Locus of Heat Resistance in Escherichia coli. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.01400-17. [PMID: 28802266 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01400-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The locus of heat resistance (LHR) is a 15- to 19-kb genomic island conferring exceptional heat resistance to organisms in the family Enterobacteriaceae, including pathogenic strains of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli The complement of LHR-comprising genes that is necessary for heat resistance and the stress-induced or growth-phase-induced expression of LHR-comprising genes are unknown. This study determined the contribution of the seven LHR-comprising genes yfdX1GI, yfdX2, hdeDGI, orf11, trxGI, kefB, and psiEGI by comparing the heat resistances of E. coli strains harboring plasmid-encoded derivatives of the different LHRs in these genes. (Genes carry a subscript "GI" [genomic island] if an ortholog of the same gene is present in genomes of E. coli) LHR-encoded heat shock proteins sHSP20, ClpKGI, and sHSPGI are not sufficient for the heat resistance phenotype; YfdX1, YfdX2, and HdeD are necessary to complement the LHR heat shock proteins and to impart a high level of resistance. Deletion of trxGI, kefB, and psiEGI from plasmid-encoded copies of the LHR did not significantly affect heat resistance. The effect of the growth phase and the NaCl concentration on expression from the putative LHR promoter p2 was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and by a plasmid-encoded p2:GFP promoter fusion. The expression levels of exponential- and stationary-phase E. coli cells were not significantly different, but the addition of 1% NaCl significantly increased LHR expression. Remarkably, LHR expression in E. coli was dependent on a chromosomal copy of evgA In conclusion, this study improved our understanding of the genes required for exceptional heat resistance in E. coli and factors that increase their expression in food.IMPORTANCE The locus of heat resistance (LHR) is a genomic island conferring exceptional heat resistance to several foodborne pathogens. The exceptional level of heat resistance provided by the LHR questions the control of pathogens by current food processing and preparation techniques. The function of LHR-comprising genes and their regulation, however, remain largely unknown. This study defines a core complement of LHR-encoded proteins that are necessary for heat resistance and demonstrates that regulation of the LHR in E. coli requires a chromosomal copy of the gene encoding EvgA. This study provides insight into the function of a transmissible genomic island that allows otherwise heat-sensitive enteric bacteria, including pathogens, to lead a thermoduric lifestyle and thus contributes to the detection and control of heat-resistant enteric bacteria in food.
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24
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Biofilm Formation Potential of Heat-Resistant Escherichia coli Dairy Isolates and the Complete Genome of Multidrug-Resistant, Heat-Resistant Strain FAM21845. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.00628-17. [PMID: 28550056 PMCID: PMC5514686 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00628-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested the biofilm formation potential of 30 heat-resistant and 6 heat-sensitive Escherichia coli dairy isolates. Production of curli and cellulose, static biofilm formation on polystyrene (PS) and stainless steel surfaces, biofilm formation under dynamic conditions (Bioflux), and initial adhesion rates (IAR) were evaluated. Biofilm formation varied greatly between strains, media, and assays. Our results highlight the importance of the experimental setup in determining biofilm formation under conditions of interest, as correlation between different assays was often not a given. The heat-resistant, multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain FAM21845 showed the strongest biofilm formation on PS and the highest IAR and was the only strain that formed significant biofilms on stainless steel under conditions relevant to the dairy industry, and it was therefore fully sequenced. Its chromosome is 4.9 Mb long, and it harbors a total of five plasmids (147.2, 54.2, 5.8, 2.5, and 1.9 kb). The strain carries a broad range of genes relevant to antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation, including some on its two large conjugative plasmids, as demonstrated in plate mating assays.IMPORTANCE In biofilms, cells are embedded in an extracellular matrix that protects them from stresses, such as UV radiation, osmotic shock, desiccation, antibiotics, and predation. Biofilm formation is a major bacterial persistence factor of great concern in the clinic and the food industry. Many tested strains formed strong biofilms, and especially strains such as the heat-resistant, MDR strain FAM21845 may pose a serious issue for food production. Strong biofilm formation combined with diverse resistances (some encoded on conjugative plasmids) may allow for increased persistence, coselection, and possible transfer of these resistance factors. Horizontal gene transfer may conceivably occur in the food production setting or the gastrointestinal tract after consumption.
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25
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Boll EJ, Marti R, Hasman H, Overballe-Petersen S, Stegger M, Ng K, Knøchel S, Krogfelt KA, Hummerjohann J, Struve C. Turn Up the Heat-Food and Clinical Escherichia coli Isolates Feature Two Transferrable Loci of Heat Resistance. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:579. [PMID: 28439262 PMCID: PMC5383660 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat treatment is a widely used process to reduce bacterial loads in the food industry or to decontaminate surfaces, e.g., in hospital settings. However, there are situations where lower temperatures must be employed, for instance in case of food production such as raw milk cheese or for decontamination of medical devices such as thermo-labile flexible endoscopes. A recently identified locus of heat resistance (LHR) has been shown to be present in and confer heat resistance to a variety of Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia coli isolates from food production settings and clinical ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. Here, we describe the presence of two distinct LHR variants within a particularly heat resistant E. coli raw milk cheese isolate. We demonstrate for the first time in this species the presence of one of these LHRs on a plasmid, designated pFAM21805, also encoding type 3 fimbriae and three bacteriocins and corresponding self-immunity proteins. The plasmid was highly transferable to other E. coli strains, including Shiga-toxin-producing strains, and conferred LHR-dependent heat resistance as well as type 3 fimbriae-dependent biofilm formation capabilities. Selection for and acquisition of this “survival” plasmid by pathogenic organisms, e.g., in food production environments, may pose great concern and emphasizes the need to screen for the presence of LHR genes in isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Boll
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Marti
- Agroscope, Division of Food Microbial Systems, Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin GroupBern, Switzerland
| | - Henrik Hasman
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Marc Stegger
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim Ng
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Knøchel
- Department of Food Science, University of CopenhagenCopenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karen A Krogfelt
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joerg Hummerjohann
- Agroscope, Division of Food Microbial Systems, Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin GroupBern, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Struve
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum InstitutCopenhagen, Denmark
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Genome Sequence of the Thermotolerant Foodborne Pathogen Salmonella enterica Serovar Senftenberg ATCC 43845 and Phylogenetic Analysis of Loci Encoding Increased Protein Quality Control Mechanisms. mSystems 2017; 2:mSystems00190-16. [PMID: 28293682 PMCID: PMC5347186 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00190-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermal interventions are commonly used in the food industry as a means of mitigating pathogen contamination in food products. Concern over heat-resistant food contaminants has recently increased, with the identification of a conserved locus shown to confer heat resistance in disparate lineages of Gram-negative bacteria. Complete sequence analysis of a historical isolate of Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg, used in numerous studies because of its novel heat resistance, revealed that this important strain possesses two distinct copies of this conserved thermotolerance locus, residing on a multireplicon IncHI2/IncHI2A plasmid. Phylogenetic analysis of these loci in comparison with homologs identified in various bacterial genera provides an opportunity to examine the evolution and distribution of loci conferring resistance to environmental stressors, such as heat and desiccation. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica bacteria are important foodborne pathogens with major economic impact. Some isolates exhibit increased heat tolerance, a concern for food safety. Analysis of a finished-quality genome sequence of an isolate commonly used in heat resistance studies, S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Senftenberg 775W (ATCC 43845), demonstrated an interesting observation that this strain contains not just one, but two horizontally acquired thermotolerance locus homologs. These two loci reside on a large 341.3-kbp plasmid that is similar to the well-studied IncHI2 R478 plasmid but lacks any antibiotic resistance genes found on R478 or other IncHI2 plasmids. As this historical Salmonella isolate has been in use since 1941, comparative analysis of the plasmid and of the thermotolerance loci contained on the plasmid will provide insight into the evolution of heat resistance loci as well as acquisition of resistance determinants in IncHI2 plasmids. IMPORTANCE Thermal interventions are commonly used in the food industry as a means of mitigating pathogen contamination in food products. Concern over heat-resistant food contaminants has recently increased, with the identification of a conserved locus shown to confer heat resistance in disparate lineages of Gram-negative bacteria. Complete sequence analysis of a historical isolate of Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg, used in numerous studies because of its novel heat resistance, revealed that this important strain possesses two distinct copies of this conserved thermotolerance locus, residing on a multireplicon IncHI2/IncHI2A plasmid. Phylogenetic analysis of these loci in comparison with homologs identified in various bacterial genera provides an opportunity to examine the evolution and distribution of loci conferring resistance to environmental stressors, such as heat and desiccation.
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Haberbeck LU, Wang X, Michiels C, Devlieghere F, Uyttendaele M, Geeraerd AH. Cross-protection between controlled acid-adaptation and thermal inactivation for 48 Escherichia coli strains. Int J Food Microbiol 2017; 241:206-214. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Mercer RG, Walker BD, Yang X, McMullen LM, Gänzle MG. The locus of heat resistance (LHR) mediates heat resistance in Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae. Food Microbiol 2016; 64:96-103. [PMID: 28213040 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2016.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Enterobacteriaceae comprise food spoilage organisms as well as food-borne pathogens including Escherichia coli. Heat resistance in E. coli was attributed to a genomic island called the locus of heat resistance (LHR). This genomic island is also present in several other genera of Enterobacteriaceae, but its function in the enteric pathogens Salmonella enterica and Enterobacter cloacae is unknown. This study aimed to determine the frequency of the LHR in food isolates of E. coli, and its influence on heat resistance in S. enterica and Enterobacter spp. Cell counts of LHR-positive strains of E. coli, S. enterica and E. cloacae were reduced by less than 1, 1, and 4 log (cfu/mL), respectively, after exposure to 60 °C for 5 min, while cell counts of LHR-negative strains of the same species were reduced by more than 7 log (cfu/mL). Introducing an exogenous copy of the LHR into heat-sensitive enteropathogenic E. coli and S. enterica increased heat resistance to a level that was comparable to LHR-positive wild type strains. Cell counts of LHR-positive S. enterica were reduced by less than 1 log(cfu/mL) after heating to 60 °C for 5 min. Survival of LHR-positive strains was improved by increasing the NaCl concentration from 0 to 4%. Cell counts of LHR-positive strains of E. coli and S. enterica were reduced by less than 2 log (cfu/g) in ground beef patties cooked to an internal core temperature of 71 °C. This study indicates that LHR-positive Enterobacteriaceae pose a risk to food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan G Mercer
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brian D Walker
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xianqin Yang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research Centre, 6000 C&E Trail, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lynn M McMullen
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael G Gänzle
- University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Marti R, Muniesa M, Schmid M, Ahrens CH, Naskova J, Hummerjohann J. Short communication: Heat-resistant Escherichia coli as potential persistent reservoir of extended-spectrum β-lactamases and Shiga toxin-encoding phages in dairy. J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:8622-8632. [PMID: 27568050 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Here we report the isolation of heat-resistant Escherichia coli from raw milk cheeses. Detection of the heat-resistance markers clpK and orfI by PCR was followed by phenotypical confirmation of increased heat-resistance. These strains were Shiga toxin-negative and, although several were found to be multidrug resistant, no plasmids encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) were found in any of the isolates. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of these strains to acquire ESBL plasmids and a modified Shiga toxin-encoding phage. Only 4 ESBL-encoding, heat-sensitive E. coli strains were isolated from 1,251 dairy samples (2/455 raw milk and 2/796 raw milk cheese samples). One incompatibility group FII plasmid (CTX-M-14, 79.0 kb) and 3 incompatibility group I1 plasmids (CTX-M-15, 95.2, 96.1, and 97.8 kb) were fully sequenced and de novo assembled. All 4 plasmids are readily transferred to heat-resistant E. coli isolates in plate matings (9.7×10-5 to 3.7×10-1 exconjugants per recipient) and, to a lesser extent, in milk (up to 7.4×10-5 exconjugants per recipient). Importantly, the plasmids are stably maintained during passaging in liquid media without antimicrobial pressure. The heat-resistant isolate FAM21805 was also shown to be capable of acting as donor of all 4 ESBL plasmids. In addition, 3 of 11 tested ESBL exconjugants of heat-resistant strains were lysogenized by the modified Shiga toxin-encoding phage 933W ∆stx::gfp::cat. The higher fraction of heat-resistant E. coli (93 of 256 isolates) compared with the estimated 2% previously predicted based on genomic prevalence of heat resistance genes seems to indicate a selection advantage in the raw milk cheese production environment. The combination of 2 factors may lead to said advantage: increased survival during thermization of raw milk (heating to subpasteurization temperatures) and increased survival rates during cheese ripening. Should these strains acquire ESBL-encoding plasmids, Shiga toxin-encoding phages, or both, these genetic elements would profit from the selection advantage of their host and become more abundant in this particular environment, which in turn could lead to an increased threat to consumers of raw milk products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Marti
- Agroscope, Institute for Food Sciences IFS, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maite Muniesa
- Department of Microbiology, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Schmid
- Agroscope, Institute for Plant Production Sciences IPS and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Schloss 1, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Christian H Ahrens
- Agroscope, Institute for Plant Production Sciences IPS and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Schloss 1, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Javorka Naskova
- Agroscope, Institute for Food Sciences IFS, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Hummerjohann
- Agroscope, Institute for Food Sciences IFS, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland.
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Lee C, Wigren E, Lünsdorf H, Römling U. Protein homeostasis-more than resisting a hot bath. Curr Opin Microbiol 2016; 30:147-154. [PMID: 26974352 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of protein homeostasis is essential for survival of all organisms. In bacteria, the protein quality control system has a broad physiological impact beyond heat shock resistance, being involved in virulence, antibiotic resistance, as well as protection against environmental stresses. Its contribution to rejuvenation and growth arrest suggests interference with protein quality control to be a novel antimicrobial strategy. Remarkably, a protein quality control module originating from environmental strains has been found to be horizontally transferred to predominant clonal groups of bacteria providing exquisite thermotolerance to recently emerged global pathogens suggesting that novel features related to protein homeostasis contribute to the transition to new environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhan Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden.
| | - Edvard Wigren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Heinrich Lünsdorf
- The Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden.
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Boll EJ, Frimodt-Møller J, Olesen B, Krogfelt KA, Struve C. Heat resistance in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli may favor environmental survival in a hospital setting. Res Microbiol 2016; 167:345-9. [PMID: 26946311 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nosocomial infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are a major concern worldwide. There is an urgent need to identify bacterial factors promoting survival and persistence of these organisms in the nosocomial environment. Here, we describe the presence of a gene cluster, containing the Clp ATPase ClpK, within a collection of Danish ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. The cluster conferred thermoprotection upon the isolates, and thus might facilitate survival on medical devices exposed to semi-high temperatures in a hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Boll
- Department of Microbiology & Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark
| | | | - Bente Olesen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karen A Krogfelt
- Department of Microbiology & Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark
| | - Carsten Struve
- Department of Microbiology & Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark.
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Orieskova M, Kajsik M, Szemes T, Holy O, Forsythe S, Turna J, Drahovska H. Contribution of the thermotolerance genomic island to increased thermal tolerance in Cronobacter strains. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2016; 109:405-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-016-0645-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Chung The H, Karkey A, Pham Thanh D, Boinett CJ, Cain AK, Ellington M, Baker KS, Dongol S, Thompson C, Harris SR, Jombart T, Le Thi Phuong T, Tran Do Hoang N, Ha Thanh T, Shretha S, Joshi S, Basnyat B, Thwaites G, Thomson NR, Rabaa MA, Baker S. A high-resolution genomic analysis of multidrug-resistant hospital outbreaks of Klebsiella pneumoniae. EMBO Mol Med 2015; 7:227-39. [PMID: 25712531 PMCID: PMC4364942 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201404767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. Despite its prominence, little is known about the genetic diversity of K. pneumoniae in resource-poor hospital settings. Through whole-genome sequencing (WGS), we reconstructed an outbreak of MDR K. pneumoniae occurring on high-dependency wards in a hospital in Kathmandu during 2012 with a case-fatality rate of 75%. The WGS analysis permitted the identification of two MDR K. pneumoniae lineages causing distinct outbreaks within the complex endemic K. pneumoniae. Using phylogenetic reconstruction and lineage-specific PCR, our data predicted a scenario in which K. pneumoniae, circulating for 6 months before the outbreak, underwent a series of ward-specific clonal expansions after the acquisition of genes facilitating virulence and MDR. We suggest that the early detection of a specific NDM-1 containing lineage in 2011 would have alerted the high-dependency ward staff to intervene. We argue that some form of real-time genetic characterisation, alongside clade-specific PCR during an outbreak, should be factored into future healthcare infection control practices in both high- and low-income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chung The
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Abhilasha Karkey
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Duy Pham Thanh
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Amy K Cain
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Ellington
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, UK Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kate S Baker
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, UK
| | - Sabina Dongol
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Corinne Thompson
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon R Harris
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, UK
| | - Thibaut Jombart
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Tu Le Thi Phuong
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nhu Tran Do Hoang
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Tuyen Ha Thanh
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Shrijana Shretha
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Suchita Joshi
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Buddha Basnyat
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Guy Thwaites
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas R Thomson
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton Cambridge, UK The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Maia A Rabaa
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stephen Baker
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Mercer RG, Zheng J, Garcia-Hernandez R, Ruan L, Gänzle MG, McMullen LM. Genetic determinants of heat resistance in Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:932. [PMID: 26441869 PMCID: PMC4563881 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli AW1.7 is a heat resistant food isolate and the occurrence of pathogenic strains with comparable heat resistance may pose a risk to food safety. To identify the genetic determinants of heat resistance, 29 strains of E. coli that differed in their of heat resistance were analyzed by comparative genomics. Strains were classified as highly heat resistant strains, exhibiting a D60-value of more than 6 min; moderately heat resistant strains, exhibiting a D60-value of more than 1 min; or as heat sensitive. A ~14 kb genomic island containing 16 predicted open reading frames encoding putative heat shock proteins and proteases was identified only in highly heat resistant strains. The genomic island was termed the locus of heat resistance (LHR). This putative operon is flanked by mobile elements and possesses >99% sequence identity to genomic islands contributing to heat resistance in Cronobacter sakazakii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. An additional 41 LHR sequences with >87% sequence identity were identified in 11 different species of β- and γ-proteobacteria. Cloning of the full length LHR conferred high heat resistance to the heat sensitive E. coli AW1.7ΔpHR1 and DH5α. The presence of the LHR correlates perfectly to heat resistance in several species of Enterobacteriaceae and occurs at a frequency of 2% of all E. coli genomes, including pathogenic strains. This study suggests the LHR has been laterally exchanged among the β- and γ-proteobacteria and is a reliable indicator of high heat resistance in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan G Mercer
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jinshui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, China
| | | | - Lifang Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, China
| | - Michael G Gänzle
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lynn M McMullen
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Lee C, Wigren E, Trček J, Peters V, Kim J, Hasni MS, Nimtz M, Lindqvist Y, Park C, Curth U, Lünsdorf H, Römling U. A novel protein quality control mechanism contributes to heat shock resistance of worldwide-distributed Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone C strains. Environ Microbiol 2015; 17:4511-26. [PMID: 26014207 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly successful nosocomial pathogen capable of causing a wide variety of infections with clone C strains most prevalent worldwide. In this study, we initially characterize a molecular mechanism of survival unique to clone C strains. We identified a P. aeruginosa clone C-specific genomic island (PACGI-1) that contains the highly expressed small heat shock protein sHsp20c, the founding member of a novel subclass of class B bacterial small heat shock proteins. sHsp20c and adjacent gene products are involved in resistance against heat shock. Heat stable sHsp20c is unconventionally expressed in stationary phase in a wide temperature range from 20 to 42°C. Purified sHsp20c has characteristic features of small heat shock protein class B as it is monodisperse, forms sphere-like 24-meric oligomers and exhibits significant chaperone activity. As the P. aeruginosa clone C population is significantly more heat shock resistant than genetically unrelated P. aeruginosa strains without sHsp20c, the horizontally acquired shsp20c operon might contribute to the survival of worldwide-distributed clone C strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhan Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Edvard Wigren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Janja Trček
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Verena Peters
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Jihong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Muhammad Sharif Hasni
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Manfred Nimtz
- The Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Ylva Lindqvist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Chankyu Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Ute Curth
- Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Heinrich Lünsdorf
- The Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - Ute Römling
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
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Huertas JP, Álvarez-Ordóñez A, Morrissey R, Ros-Chumillas M, Esteban MD, Maté J, Palop A, Hill C. Heat resistance of Cronobacter sakazakii DPC 6529 and its behavior in reconstituted powdered infant formula. Food Res Int 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2015.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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López-González JA, Suárez-Estrella F, Vargas-García MC, López MJ, Jurado MM, Moreno J. Dynamics of bacterial microbiota during lignocellulosic waste composting: Studies upon its structure, functionality and biodiversity. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2015; 175:406-416. [PMID: 25459849 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.10.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
An intensive isolation program carried out in three replicated composting piles allowed the identification of the resident and transient components of the composting microbiome. More than 4000 bacterial strains were isolated, enzymatically characterized and identified by partial sequencing of their 16S rRNA gene. While microorganisms isolated under mesophilic conditions were prominent throughout the process, thermophilic stages gathered the highest total counts and spore-forming bacteria prevailed at the bio-oxidative phase of composting. Enzymatic capabilities related to the degradation of polymeric materials were exhibited by most of the isolates and as a result of these activities, more soluble compounds could be made available to the entire composting microbiota. A high proportion of isolates showed to be thermotolerant as they were detected at mesophilic and thermophilic phases. Isolated strains belonged to 187 bacterial species. Biodiversity was greater at the central stages of composting and mesophilic, thermophilic and cooling phases shared 50% of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A López-González
- Unit of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - F Suárez-Estrella
- Unit of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - M C Vargas-García
- Unit of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - M J López
- Unit of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - M M Jurado
- Unit of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - J Moreno
- Unit of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, 04120 Almería, Spain.
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Jaradat ZW, Al Mousa W, Elbetieha A, Al Nabulsi A, Tall BD. Cronobacter spp.--opportunistic food-borne pathogens. A review of their virulence and environmental-adaptive traits. J Med Microbiol 2014; 63:1023-1037. [PMID: 24878566 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.073742-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Cronobacter consists of a diverse group of Gram-negative bacilli and comprises seven species: Cronobacter sakazakii, Cronobacter malonaticus, Cronobacter muytjensii, Cronobacter turicensis, Cronobacter dublinensis, Cronobacter universalis and Cronobacter condimenti. Cronobacter are regarded as opportunistic pathogens, and have been implicated in newborn and infant infections, causing meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis and bacteraemia or sepsis. Cronobacter virulence is believed to be due to multiple factors. Some strains were found to produce diarrhoea or cause significant fluid accumulation in suckling mice. Two iron acquisition systems (eitCBAD and iucABCD/iutA), Cronobacter plasminogen activator gene (cpa), a 17 kb type VI secretion system (T6SS), and a 27 kb filamentous haemagglutinin gene (fhaBC) and associated putative adhesins locus are harboured on a family of RepFIB-related plasmids (pESA3 and pCTU1), suggesting that these are common virulence plasmids; 98% of 229 tested Cronobacter strains possessed these plasmids. Even though pESA3 and pCTU1 share a common backbone composed of the repA gene and eitCBAD and iucABCD/iutA gene clusters, the presence of cpa, T6SS and FHA loci depended on species, demonstrating a strong correlation with the presence of virulence traits, plasmid type and species. Other factors were observed, in that Cronobacter form biofilms, and show unusual resistance to heat, dry and acid stress growth conditions. The outer-membrane protein A is probably one of the best-characterized virulence markers of Cronobacter. Furthermore, it was reported that Cronobacter employ phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt signalling, which activates protein kinase C-α and impairs the host cell's mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, in order to invade cells. Cronobacter can also use immature dendritic cells and macrophages to escape the immune response. This review addresses the various virulence and environmental-adaptive characteristics possessed by members of the genus Cronobacter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziad W Jaradat
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Waseem Al Mousa
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Ahmed Elbetieha
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Anas Al Nabulsi
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Ben D Tall
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Division of Virulence Assessment, 8301 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
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Tall BD, Chen Y, Yan Q, Gopinath GR, Grim CJ, Jarvis KG, Fanning S, Lampel KA. Cronobacter: an emergent pathogen causing meningitis to neonates through their feeds. Sci Prog 2014; 97:154-72. [PMID: 25108996 PMCID: PMC10365370 DOI: 10.3184/003685014x13994743930498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The recognition of Cronobacter as a public health concern was raised when powdered infant formula (PIF) was linked to several neonatal meningitis outbreaks. It is an opportunistic pathogen that causes necrotising enterocolitis, infantile septicaemia, and meningitis which carries a high mortality rate among neonates. It has been also linked with cases of infection in adults and elderly. Over the past decade, much focus has been made on developing sensitive and specific characterisation, detection, and isolation methods to ascertain the quality of foods, notably contamination of PIF with Cronobacter and to understand its ability to cause disease. Whole genome sequencing has unveiled several putative virulence factors, yet the full capacity of the pathogenesis of Cronobacter has not yet been elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben D. Tall
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration in Laurel, Maryland
| | - Yi Chen
- FDA in College Park, Maryland
| | | | - Gopal R. Gopinath
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, in Laurel, Maryland
| | | | - Karen G. Jarvis
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, in Laurel, Maryland
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Li PT, Hsiao WL, Yu RC, Chou CC. Effect of heat shock on the fatty acid and protein profiles of Cronobacter sakazakii BCRC 13988 as well as its growth and survival in the presence of various carbon, nitrogen sources and disinfectants. Food Microbiol 2013; 36:142-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2013.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Yan Q, Power KA, Cooney S, Fox E, Gopinath GR, Grim CJ, Tall BD, McCusker MP, Fanning S. Complete genome sequence and phenotype microarray analysis of Cronobacter sakazakii SP291: a persistent isolate cultured from a powdered infant formula production facility. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:256. [PMID: 24032028 PMCID: PMC3759002 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of human infection linked to the powdered infant formula (PIF) food chain and associated with the bacterium Cronobacter, are of concern to public health. These bacteria are regarded as opportunistic pathogens linked to life-threatening infections predominantly in neonates, with an under developed immune system. Monitoring the microbiological ecology of PIF production sites is an important step in attempting to limit the risk of contamination in the finished food product. Cronobacter species, like other microorganisms can adapt to the production environment. These organisms are known for their desiccation tolerance, a phenotype that can aid their survival in the production site and PIF itself. In evaluating the genome data currently available for Cronobacter species, no sequence information has been published describing a Cronobacter sakazakii isolate found to persist in a PIF production facility. Here we report on the complete genome sequence of one such isolate, Cronobacter sakazakii SP291 along with its phenotypic characteristics. The genome of C. sakazakii SP291 consists of a 4.3-Mb chromosome (56.9% GC) and three plasmids, denoted as pSP291-1, [118.1-kb (57.2% GC)], pSP291-2, [52.1-kb (49.2% GC)], and pSP291-3, [4.4-kb (54.0% GC)]. When C. sakazakii SP291 was compared to the reference C. sakazakii ATCC BAA-894, which is also of PIF origin, the annotated genome data identified two interesting functional categories, comprising of genes related to the bacterial stress response and resistance to antimicrobial and toxic compounds. Using a phenotypic microarray (PM), we provided a full metabolic profile comparing C. sakazakii SP291 and the previously sequenced C. sakazakii ATCC BAA-894. These data extend our understanding of the genome of this important neonatal pathogen and provides further insights into the genotypes associated with features that can contribute to its persistence in the PIF environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongqiong Yan
- UCD Centre for Food Safety, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Reference and Training on Cronobacter, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin Dublin, Ireland
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Grim CJ, Kotewicz ML, Power KA, Gopinath G, Franco AA, Jarvis KG, Yan QQ, Jackson SA, Sathyamoorthy V, Hu L, Pagotto F, Iversen C, Lehner A, Stephan R, Fanning S, Tall BD. Pan-genome analysis of the emerging foodborne pathogen Cronobacter spp. suggests a species-level bidirectional divergence driven by niche adaptation. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:366. [PMID: 23724777 PMCID: PMC3680222 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Members of the genus Cronobacter are causes of rare but severe illness in neonates and preterm infants following the ingestion of contaminated infant formula. Seven species have been described and two of the species genomes were subsequently published. In this study, we performed comparative genomics on eight strains of Cronobacter, including six that we sequenced (representing six of the seven species) and two previously published, closed genomes. Results We identified and characterized the features associated with the core and pan genome of the genus Cronobacter in an attempt to understand the evolution of these bacteria and the genetic content of each species. We identified 84 genomic regions that are present in two or more Cronobacter genomes, along with 45 unique genomic regions. Many potentially horizontally transferred genes, such as lysogenic prophages, were also identified. Most notable among these were several type six secretion system gene clusters, transposons that carried tellurium, copper and/or silver resistance genes, and a novel integrative conjugative element. Conclusions Cronobacter have diverged into two clusters, one consisting of C. dublinensis and C. muytjensii (Cdub-Cmuy) and the other comprised of C. sakazakii, C. malonaticus, C. universalis, and C. turicensis, (Csak-Cmal-Cuni-Ctur) from the most recent common ancestral species. While several genetic determinants for plant-association and human virulence could be found in the core genome of Cronobacter, the four Cdub-Cmuy clade genomes contained several accessory genomic regions important for survival in a plant-associated environmental niche, while the Csak-Cmal-Cuni-Ctur clade genomes harbored numerous virulence-related genetic traits.
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Bojer MS, Struve C, Ingmer H, Krogfelt KA. ClpP-dependent and -independent activities encoded by the polycistronic clpK-encoding locus contribute to heat shock survival in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Res Microbiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2012.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Joseph S, Desai P, Ji Y, Cummings CA, Shih R, Degoricija L, Rico A, Brzoska P, Hamby SE, Masood N, Hariri S, Sonbol H, Chuzhanova N, McClelland M, Furtado MR, Forsythe SJ. Comparative analysis of genome sequences covering the seven cronobacter species. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49455. [PMID: 23166675 PMCID: PMC3500316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Species of Cronobacter are widespread in the environment and are occasional food-borne pathogens associated with serious neonatal diseases, including bacteraemia, meningitis, and necrotising enterocolitis. The genus is composed of seven species: C. sakazakii, C. malonaticus, C. turicensis, C. dublinensis, C. muytjensii, C. universalis, and C. condimenti. Clinical cases are associated with three species, C. malonaticus, C. turicensis and, in particular, with C. sakazakii multilocus sequence type 4. Thus, it is plausible that virulence determinants have evolved in certain lineages. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We generated high quality sequence drafts for eleven Cronobacter genomes representing the seven Cronobacter species, including an ST4 strain of C. sakazakii. Comparative analysis of these genomes together with the two publicly available genomes revealed Cronobacter has over 6,000 genes in one or more strains and over 2,000 genes shared by all Cronobacter. Considerable variation in the presence of traits such as type six secretion systems, metal resistance (tellurite, copper and silver), and adhesins were found. C. sakazakii is unique in the Cronobacter genus in encoding genes enabling the utilization of exogenous sialic acid which may have clinical significance. The C. sakazakii ST4 strain 701 contained additional genes as compared to other C. sakazakii but none of them were known specific virulence-related genes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Genome comparison revealed that pair-wise DNA sequence identity varies between 89 and 97% in the seven Cronobacter species, and also suggested various degrees of divergence. Sets of universal core genes and accessory genes unique to each strain were identified. These gene sequences can be used for designing genus/species specific detection assays. Genes encoding adhesins, T6SS, and metal resistance genes as well as prophages are found in only subsets of genomes and have contributed considerably to the variation of genomic content. Differences in gene content likely contribute to differences in the clinical and environmental distribution of species and sequence types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Joseph
- Pathogen Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Prerak Desai
- Vaccine Research Institute San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Yongmei Ji
- Life Technologies Corporation, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Craig A. Cummings
- Life Technologies Corporation, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Rita Shih
- Life Technologies Corporation, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Lovorka Degoricija
- Life Technologies Corporation, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Alain Rico
- Life Technologies Corporation, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Pius Brzoska
- Life Technologies Corporation, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Stephen E. Hamby
- Bioinformatics and Biomathematics Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Naqash Masood
- Pathogen Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sumyya Hariri
- Pathogen Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hana Sonbol
- Pathogen Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Chuzhanova
- Bioinformatics and Biomathematics Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael McClelland
- Vaccine Research Institute San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Manohar R. Furtado
- Life Technologies Corporation, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Forsythe
- Pathogen Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Callanan M, Paes M, Iversen C, Kleijn R, Bravo Almeida C, Peñaloza W, Johnson N, Vuataz G, Michel M. Behavior of Enterobacter pulveris in amorphous and crystalline powder matrices treated with supercritical carbon dioxide. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:6300-6. [PMID: 22959935 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-5541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The resistance of an Enterobacter pulveris strain to combined heat and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) treatments in different powder matrices was examined. The strain proved resistant to scCO(2) treatment up to 50 MPa pressure at temperatures >73 °C for at least 20 min in a commercial infant formula. Water availability was shown to be important for the observed thermotolerance, because introduction of water in the scCO(2) gas flow during treatment resulted in a 1 log(10) cfu/g reduction of the initial inoculum. Interestingly, similar tolerance to heat and scCO(2) treatment was observed in a less complex matrix, a maltodextrin powder. In contrast, the bacterial strain proved sensitive to lower temperatures (55-65 °C) over shorter times (≤10 min) in a dextrose powder composed of crystalline particles. Therefore, the microorganism demonstrates heat sensitivity in the crystalline powder matrix closer to that of nonpowder liquid matrices. These data demonstrate the increased heat tolerance of the bacterium specifically in amorphous powders and indicate that this characteristic is not dependent on fat and other components commonly found in infant formula. The information is important in designing strategies to deal with contamination of powders with Enterobacteriacae, including pathogenic Cronobacter spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Callanan
- Nestlé Research Centre, Nestec Ltd., Vers-Chez-Les-Blanc, 1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland.
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Yan QQ, Condell O, Power K, Butler F, Tall BD, Fanning S. Cronobacter species (formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii) in powdered infant formula: a review of our current understanding of the biology of this bacterium. J Appl Microbiol 2012; 113:1-15. [PMID: 22420458 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05281.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cronobacter species (formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii) are opportunistic pathogens that can cause necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteraemia and meningitis, predominantly in neonates. Infection in these vulnerable infants has been linked to the consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF). Considerable research has been undertaken on this organism in the past number of years which has enhanced our understanding of this neonatal pathogen leading to improvements in its control within the PIF production environment. The taxonomy of the organism resulted in the recognition of a new genus, Cronobacter, which consists of seven species. This paper presents an up-to-date review of our current knowledge of Cronobacter species. Taxonomy, genome sequencing, current detection protocols and epidemiology are all discussed. In addition, consideration is given to the control of this organism in the manufacturing environment, as a first step towards reducing the occurrence of this pathogen in PIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Q Yan
- UCD Centre for Food Safety, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Reference & Training on Cronobacter, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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