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Benvin I, Perko VM, Maljković MM, Habuš J, Štritof Z, Hađina S, Perharić M, Zečević I, Cvetnić M, Turk N. Serological surveillance of equine leptospirosis in Croatia in the period from 2012 to 2022 - a key insight into the changing epizootiology. J Equine Vet Sci 2023:104844. [PMID: 37295759 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104844] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is re-emerging zoonotic bacterial disease of global importance that affects domestic and wild animals and humans. Due to the public health importance, control of disease in Croatia is being implemented by monitoring the seroprevalence of equine leptospirosis and it is regulated by the law. In the period from 2012 to 2022, a total of 61724 serum samples from apparently healthy horses were admitted to the Laboratory for leptospires, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb. Serum samples were tested for Leptospira spp. antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Samples were considered seropositive with a cut-off titre 1:200 for Bratislava and 1:400 for other Leptospira spp. serovars. Out of 61724 serum samples tested, 6665 (10.80%) were found seropositive for at least one Leptospira serovar. In the studied period, seroprevalence varied between 5.00% and 15.94%. The highest seroprevalence was found for serovar Pomona (41.98%) and serovar Grippotyphosa (31.34%), followed by Sejroe (8.03%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (7.05%) and Bratislava (6.47%). Results indicated that horses in Croatia are particularly exposed to Leptospira spp. infections. The most prevalent presumed infective serovar was Pomona increasing each year. Investigated horses were randomly selected and healthy and most seropositive horses have anamnestic titre due to previous infection. This is the first study in Europe reporting such high seropositivity for the serovar Pomona in apparently healthy horses. According to the results of the present study, the question arises of the possible evolutionary adaptation of the pathogenic serovar Pomona as dominant for horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Benvin
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Vesna Mojčec Perko
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Maurić Maljković
- Department of Animal Breeding and Livestock Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josipa Habuš
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Štritof
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Suzana Hađina
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matko Perharić
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Zečević
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Cvetnić
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nenad Turk
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Loh SM, Gillett A, Ryan U, Irwin P, Oskam C. Molecular characterization of 'Candidatus Borrelia tachyglossi' (family Spirochaetaceae) in echidna ticks, Bothriocroton concolor. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2017; 67:1075-1080. [PMID: 28475032 PMCID: PMC5817193 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a novel species of the genus Borreliawas identified in Bothriocroton concolor and Ixodes holocyclus ticks from echidnas. Analyses of 16S rRNA and flaB genes identified three closely related genotypes of this bacterium (Borrelia sp. Aus A-C) that were unique and distinct from previously described borreliae. Phylogenetic analyses of flaB (763 bp), groEL (1537 bp), gyrB (1702 bp) and glpQ (874 bp) gene sequences and concatenated sequences (3585 bp) of three gene loci (16S rRNA, flaB and gyrB) were consistent with previous findings and confirm that this novel species of the genus Borrelia is more closely related to, yet distinct from, the Reptile-associated (REP) and Relapsing Fever (RF) groups. At the flaB locus, genotypes A, B and C shared the highest percentage sequence similarities (87.9, 88 and 87.9 %, respectively) with B.orrelia turcica (REP), whereas at the groEL and gyrB loci, these genotypes were most similar (88.2–89.4 %) to B.orrelia hermsii (RF). At the glpQ locus, genotypes A and B were most similar (85.7 and 85.4 % respectively) to Borrelia sp. Tortoise14H1 (REP). The presence of the glpQ gene, which is absent in the Lyme Borreliosis group spirochaetes, further emphasises that the novel species of the genus Borrelia characterized in the present study does not belong to this group. Phylogenetic analyses at multiple loci produced consistent topographies revealing the monophyletic grouping of this bacterium, therefore providing strong support for its species status. We propose the name ‘CandidatusBorrelia tachyglossi’, and hypothesize that this species of the genus Borrelia may be endemic to Australia. The pathogenic potential of this bacterium is not yet known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew-May Loh
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - Una Ryan
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Irwin
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte Oskam
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Though not reservoirs, dogs might transmit Leptospira in New Caledonia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:4316-25. [PMID: 24747539 PMCID: PMC4025015 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110404316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Leptospira has been a major public health concern in New Caledonia for decades. However, few multidisciplinary studies addressing the zoonotic pattern of this disease were conducted so far. Here, pig, deer and dog samples were collected. Analyses were performed using molecular detection and genotyping. Serological analyses were also performed for dogs. Our results suggest that deer are a reservoir of L. borgpetersenii Hardjobovis and pigs a reservoir of L. interrogans Pomona. Interestingly, 4.4% of dogs were renal carriers of Leptospira. In dog populations, MAT results confirmed the circulation of the same Leptospira serogroups involved in human cases. Even if not reservoirs, dogs might be of significance in human contamination by making an epidemiological link between wild or feral reservoirs and humans. Dogs could bring pathogens back home, shedding Leptospira via their urine and in turn increasing the risk of human contamination. We propose to consider dog as a vector, particularly in rural areas where seroprevalence is significantly higher than urban areas. Our results highlight the importance of animal health in improving leptospirosis prevention in a One Health approach.
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Isa SE, Onyedibe KI, Okolo MO, Abiba AE, Mafuka JS, Simji GS, Nathan SY, Udoh UA, Awang SK, Egah DZ, Banwat EB, Newport M, Ahmed A. A 21-year-old student with fever and profound jaundice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2534. [PMID: 24416459 PMCID: PMC3886912 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Samson Ejiji Isa
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
- * E-mail:
| | - Kenneth Ikenna Onyedibe
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Mark Ojogba Okolo
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Abiayi Elmina Abiba
- Leptospirosis Unit, Central Diagnostics Laboratories National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Johnson Simon Mafuka
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Gomerep Samuel Simji
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Shehu Yakubu Nathan
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Ubong Aniefok Udoh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Sati Klein Awang
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Daniel Zanyu Egah
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Edmond Banle Banwat
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Melanie Newport
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital, Brighton, Southeast England, United Kingdom
- Global Health Programme, Brighton and Sussex University, Brighton, Southeast England, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed Ahmed
- Royal Tropical Institute, KIT Biomedical Research, WHO/FAO/OIE and National Collaborating Center for Reference and research on Leptospirosis, Meibergdreef, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Perez J, Brescia F, Becam J, Mauron C, Goarant C. Rodent abundance dynamics and leptospirosis carriage in an area of hyper-endemicity in New Caledonia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1361. [PMID: 22039557 PMCID: PMC3201910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Widespread but particularly incident in the tropics, leptospirosis is transmitted to humans directly or indirectly by virtually any Mammal species. However, rodents are recognized as the most important reservoir. In endemic regions, seasonal outbreaks are observed during hot rainy periods. In such regions, hot spots can be evidenced, where leptospirosis is “hyper-endemic”, its incidence reaching 500 annual cases per 100,000. A better knowledge of how rodent populations and their Leptospira prevalence respond to seasonal and meteorological fluctuations might help implement relevant control measures. Methodology/Principal Findings In two tribes in New Caledonia with hyper-endemic leptospirosis, rodent abundance and Leptospira prevalence was studied twice a year, in hot and cool seasons for two consecutive years. Highly contrasted meteorological situations, particularly rainfall intensities, were noted between the two hot seasons studied. Our results show that during a hot and rainy period, both the rodent populations and their Leptospira carriage were higher. This pattern was more salient in commensal rodents than in the sylvatic rats. Conclusions/Significance The dynamics of rodents and their Leptospira carriage changed during the survey, probably under the influence of meteorology. Rodents were both more numerous and more frequently carrying (therefore disseminating) leptospires during a hot rainy period, also corresponding to a flooding period with higher risks of human exposure to waters and watered soils. The outbreaks of leptospirosis in hyper-endemic areas could arise from meteorological conditions leading to both an increased risk of exposure of humans and an increased volume of the rodent reservoir. Rodent control measures would therefore be most effective during cool and dry seasons, when rodent populations and leptospirosis incidence are low. In this study, we surveyed rodents and their Leptospira carriage in an area where human leptospirosis is hyper-endemic. We evidenced the well-known associations between specific rodent species and particular leptospires in both mice and rats. Overall, the observed Leptospira prevalence was in the range 18–47% depending on species, similar to other descriptions. However, significant variations were observed both in the abundance of rodents and their Leptospira carriage, one hot period with heavy rain being associated with both a highest abundance and an increased prevalence. Similar meteorological conditions could lead to increased leptospires dispersal by the rodent reservoir and increased exposure of humans to risk situations (e.g. flood, mud). Because rodent control measures were demonstrated elsewhere to be cost-effective if correctly planned and implemented, this contribution to a better knowledge of rodent and leptospires dynamics provides useful information and may in turn allow to develop relevant rodent control actions aimed at reducing the burden of human leptospirosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Perez
- Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Laboratoire de Recherche en Bactériologie, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Fabrice Brescia
- Institut Agronomique néo-Calédonien, Diversités Biologique et Fonctionnelle des Ecosystèmes, Port Laguerre, Paita, New Caledonia
| | - Jérôme Becam
- Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Laboratoire de Recherche en Bactériologie, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Carine Mauron
- Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Laboratoire de Recherche en Bactériologie, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Cyrille Goarant
- Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Laboratoire de Recherche en Bactériologie, Nouméa, New Caledonia
- * E-mail:
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The riboswitch regulates a thiamine pyrophosphate ABC transporter of the oral spirochete Treponema denticola. J Bacteriol 2011; 193:3912-22. [PMID: 21622748 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00386-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), a biologically active form of thiamine (vitamin B₁), is an essential cofactor in all living systems. Microorganisms either synthesize TPP via de novo biosynthesis pathways or uptake exogenous thiamine from the environment via specific transporters. The oral spirochete Treponema denticola is an important pathogen that is associated with human periodontal diseases. It lacks a de novo TPP biosynthesis pathway and needs exogenous TPP for growth, suggesting that it may obtain exogenous TPP via a thiamine transporter. In this study, we identified a gene cluster that encodes a TPP ABC transporter which consists of a TPP-binding protein (TDE0143), a transmembrane permease (TDE0144), and a cytosolic ATPase (TDE0145). Transcriptional and translational analyses showed that the genes encoding these three proteins are cotranscribed and form an operon (tbpABC(Td)) that is initiated by a σ⁷⁰-like promoter. The expression level of this operon is negatively regulated by exogenous TPP and is mediated by a TPP-sensing riboswitch (Td(thi-)(box)). Genetic and biochemical studies revealed that the TDE0143 deletion mutant (T. denticola ΔtbpA) had a decreased ability to transport exogenous TPP, and the mutant failed to grow when exogenous TPP was insufficient. These results taken together indicate that the tbpABC(Td) operon encodes an ABC transporter that is required for the uptake of exogenous TPP and that the expression of this operon is regulated by a TPP-binding riboswitch via a feedback inhibition mechanism.
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Abstract
The alternative sigma factor RpoS (sigma38 or sigmaS) plays a central role in the reciprocal regulation of the virulence-associated major outer surface proteins OspC and OspA in Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete. Temperature is one of the key environmental signals controlling RpoS, but the molecular mechanism by which the signal is transduced remains unknown. Herein, we identify and describe a small non-coding RNA, DsrABb, that regulates the temperature-induced increase in RpoS. A novel 5' end of the rpoS mRNA was identified and DsrABb has the potential to extensively base-pair with the upstream region of this rpoS transcript. We demonstrate that B. burgdorferi strains lacking DsrABb do not upregulate RpoS and OspC in response to an increase in temperature, but do regulate RpoS and OspC in response to changes in pH and cell density. Analyses of the rpoS and ospC steady-state mRNA levels in the dsrABb mutant indicate that DsrABb regulates RpoS post-transcriptionally. The 5' and 3' ends of DsrABb were mapped, demonstrating that at least four species exist with sizes ranging from 213 to 352 nucleotides. We hypothesize that DsrABb binds to the upstream region of the rpoS mRNA and stimulates translation by releasing the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and start site from a stable secondary structure. Therefore, we postulate that DsrABb is a molecular thermometer regulating RpoS in Borrelia burgdorferi.
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MESH Headings
- 5' Untranslated Regions/biosynthesis
- 5' Untranslated Regions/genetics
- 5' Untranslated Regions/metabolism
- Antigens, Bacterial/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Bacterial/genetics
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/biosynthesis
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Base Pairing
- Base Sequence
- Blotting, Northern
- Blotting, Western
- Borrelia burgdorferi/genetics
- Borrelia burgdorferi/physiology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/physiology
- Genetic Complementation Test
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Models, Biological
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Untranslated/metabolism
- RNA, Untranslated/physiology
- Sequence Deletion
- Sigma Factor/biosynthesis
- Sigma Factor/genetics
- Temperature
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan C Lybecker
- Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812-4824, USA
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Cechová L, Durnová E, Sikutová S, Halouzka J, Nemec M. Characterization of spirochetal isolates from arthropods collected in South Moravia, Czech Republic, using fatty acid methyl esters analysis. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2004; 808:249-54. [PMID: 15261818 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2004.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2004] [Revised: 05/10/2004] [Accepted: 05/17/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim of this study was to evaluate cellular fatty acid analysis for characterization of spirochetes. Strains were isolated from arthropods collected in South Moravia, Czech Republic. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile was determined for five Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) strains isolated from Ixodes ricinus ticks, one "Spironema culicis" strain recovered from mosquito Culex pipiens and seven spirochetal strains (not identified yet) isolated from mosquitoes and blackflies. Analysis was performed using a gas chromatography column in conjunction with Microbial Identification System Sherlock (MIDI Inc., Newark, DE, USA). Results obtained on the basis of cluster analysis of FAME profiles showed, that the B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates could be well separated from other spirochetal isolates. We recommended method used in this study as a useful tool for preliminary identification of spirochetes isolated from ticks and dipterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leona Cechová
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno, Tvrdého 14, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Greenlee JJ, Bolin CA, Alt DP, Cheville NF, Andreasen CB. Clinical and pathologic comparison of acute leptospirosis in dogs caused by two strains of Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa. Am J Vet Res 2004; 65:1100-7. [PMID: 15334844 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.1100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a method for inducing acute leptospirosis in dogs. ANIMALS 31 nine-week-old female Beagles. PROCEDURE Beagles were randomly assigned to 2 inoculation groups or a control group. Dogs were inoculated on 3 successive days by conjunctival instillation of 5 x 10(7) cells of Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa strain 82 (12 dogs) or strain RM 52 (14 dogs). Control dogs (n = 5) were similarly inoculated with sterile leptospiral culture media. Clinical signs, clinicopathologic variables, anti-leptospiral antibody titers, and evidence of leptospires in tissues and body fluids were evaluated. Dogs were euthanatized and necropsied on days 7, 14, 22, or 28 after inoculation or as required because of severe illness. RESULTS Clinical signs in infected dogs included conjunctivitis, lethargy, diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and icterus. Consistent clinicopathologic alterations included azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased anion gap, hyperbilirubinemia, and an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity. Leptospires were cultured from the kidneys (11/12), urine (6/9), aqueous humor (9/12), blood (12/12), and liver (12/12) of dogs inoculated with strain 82. Only 3 of 14 dogs became infected after inoculation with strain RM 52. Histopathologic lesions in infected dogs included interstitial nephritis, renal tubular degeneration and necrosis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and hepatic edema and perivasculitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Conjunctival exposure to L kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa strain 82 resulted in acute leptospirosis in all inoculated dogs, but only 3 of 14 dogs inoculated with strain RM 52 became infected. This method of infection by serovar grippotyphosa can be used to study the pathogenesis and prevention of leptospirosis in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin J Greenlee
- Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Barocchi MA, Ko AI, Ferrer SR, Faria MT, Reis MG, Riley LW. Identification of new repetitive element in Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni and its application to PCR-based differentiation of Leptospira serogroups. J Clin Microbiol 2001; 39:191-5. [PMID: 11136769 PMCID: PMC87700 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.1.191-195.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A new repetitive DNA element was identified in an isolate of Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni from a patient in Salvador, Brazil. A Sau3A genomic library from this strain was constructed and screened for repetitive DNA elements. An insert of 438 bp (Rep1) from one library clone hybridized to multiple chromosomal DNA fragments resolved electrophoretically after digestion with BamHI, HindIII, and MfeI. A single oligonucleotide primer, designated iRepl, was designed to generate multiple PCR amplicons of various electrophoretic mobilities in a PCR typing method. The method distinguished strains belonging to the eight pathogenic and three saprophytic species of the genus Leptospira. Clinical isolates obtained during urban epidemics between 1996 and 1998 in Salvador, Brazil, were analyzed by this PCR method. Although the iRep1 primer was unable to discriminate strains among L. interrogans serovar copenhageni isolates, it was able to differentiate strains belonging to different species and serogroups of Leptospira identified in Salvador. This PCR-based method may provide a faster and less expensive alternative to serologic tests used in reference laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Barocchi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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Trott DJ, Oxberry SL, Hampson DJ. Evidence for Serpulina hyodysenteriae being recombinant, with an epidemic population structure. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 1997; 143 ( Pt 10):3357-3365. [PMID: 9353937 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-143-10-3357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The population structure of Serpulina hyodysenteriae was investigated using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. A total of 231 isolates were divided into 50 electrophoretic types (ETs), with a mean genetic diversity of 0.29 for the number of ETs and 0.23 for the number of isolates. Subsets of isolates from two Australian states (71 isolates from Victoria and 68 isolates from Queensland) exhibited as much genetic variation as the entire collection. The calculated index of association (IA) for the number of ETs (0.29 +/- 0.17) was not significantly different from zero, and hence provided evidence for the occurrence of significant genetic recombination accounting for the observed variation between strains. In contrast, the IA for the number of isolates (3.93 +/- 0.03) was significantly different from zero, with seven of the 50 ETs (ETs 4, 6, 13, 14, 20, 33 and 35) containing 51% of all the isolates. Even when multiple isolates from the same farm were removed from the analysis, the IA value for the number of isolates remained significantly greater than zero (IA 9.87 +/- 0.04), indicating that it was not biased by their inclusion. The results suggest that S. hyodysenteriae has an epidemic population structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Trott
- Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Sophy L Oxberry
- Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - David J Hampson
- Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
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Ge Y, Old IG, Saint Girons I, Charon NW. Molecular characterization of a large Borrelia burgdorferi motility operon which is initiated by a consensus sigma70 promoter. J Bacteriol 1997; 179:2289-99. [PMID: 9079915 PMCID: PMC178966 DOI: 10.1128/jb.179.7.2289-2299.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A large motility operon, referred to as the flgB operon, was identified, characterized, and mapped at 310 to 320 kb on the linear chromosome of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. This is the first report that a sigma70-like promoter rather than a sigma28-like promoter is involved in the transcription of a major motility operon in bacteria. From these results in conjunction with results from a previous study (Y. Ge and N. W. Charon, Gene, in press), we have identified 26 genes in this operon that are relevant to motility and flagellar synthesis. With few exceptions, the gene order and deduced gene products were most similar to those of other spirochetes and Bacillus subtilis. Primer extension analysis indicated that transcription initiated from a conserved sigma70-like promoter immediately upstream of flgB; this promoter mapped within the heat-shock-induced protease gene hslU. Reverse transcriptase PCR analysis indicated that a single transcript of 21 kb initiated at this promoter and extended through flgE and (with our previous results) onto the putative motility gene flbE. The flgB promoter element had strong activity in both Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. As expected, a mutant of S. typhimurium with an inactivated flagellum-specific sigma28 factor did not affect the function of this promoter. Western blot analysis indicated that B. burgdorferi recombinant FliG and FliI were antigenically similar to those of E. coli and other spirochetes. Although complementation of E. coli or S. typhimurium fliG or fliI mutants with the B. burgdorferi genes was unsuccessful, B. burgdorferi recombinant FliI completely inhibited flagellar synthesis and motility of wild-type E. coli and S. typhimurium. These results show that spirochete motility genes can influence flagellar synthesis in other species of bacteria. Finally, Western blot analysis with sera from infected humans and animals indicated a weak or nondetectable response to recombinant FliG and FliI. These results indicate that these antigens are not favorable candidate reagents to be used in the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ge
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, West Virginia University, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown 26506-9177, USA
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Burth P, Younes-Ibrahim M, Gonçalez FH, Costa ER, Faria MV. Purification and characterization of a Na+, K+ ATPase inhibitor found in an endotoxin of Leptospira interrogans. Infect Immun 1997; 65:1557-60. [PMID: 9119504 PMCID: PMC175170 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.4.1557-1560.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We showed previously that the glycolipoprotein fraction prepared from Leptospira interrogans inhibited the Na+,K+ ATPase enzyme purified from brain or kidney and in isolated nephron segments (M. Younes-Ibrahim, P. Burth, M. V. Castro Faria, B. Buffin-Meyer, S. Marsy, C. Barlet-Bas, L. Cheval, and A. Doucet, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Ser. III 318:619-625, 1995). In the present communication, we have demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and palmitoleic acids, which are adsorbed to this fraction, are effective inhibitors of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Burth
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Merien F, Baranton G, Perolat P. Invasion of Vero cells and induction of apoptosis in macrophages by pathogenic Leptospira interrogans are correlated with virulence. Infect Immun 1997; 65:729-38. [PMID: 9009336 PMCID: PMC176119 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.2.729-738.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions of virulent Leptospira interrogans serovar icterohaemorrhagiae strain Verdun with Vero cells (African green monkey kidney fibroblasts) and a monocyte-macrophage-like cell line (J774A.1) were assayed by a double-fluorescence immunolabelling method. Infectivity profiles were investigated according to (i) the duration of contact between leptospires and eukaryotic cells and (ii) the number of in vitro passages after primary isolation from lethally infected guinea pigs. Comparative experiments were conducted with the corresponding high-passage avirulent variant and the saprophytic leptospire Leptospira biflexa Patoc I. In Vero cells, virulent leptospires were quickly internalized from 20 min postinfection, whereas avirulent and saprophytic strains remained extracellularly located. In addition, the virulent strain demonstrated an ability to actively invade the monocyte-macrophage-like J774A.1 cells during the early stages of contact and to induce programmed cell death, as shown by the detection of oligonucleosomes in a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay. In both cellular systems, subsequent in vitro subcultures demonstrated a progressive decrease of the invasiveness, pointing out the necessity of using primocultures of Leptospira for virulence studies. Invasiveness of virulent leptospires was significantly inhibited with monodansylcadaverine, indicating that internalization was dependent on receptor-mediated endocytosis. Invasion of epithelial cells and induction of apoptosis in macrophages may be related to the pathogenicity of Leptospira, and both could contribute to its ability to survive in the host and to escape from the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Merien
- Laboratoire des Leptospires, Institut Pasteur, Nouméa, New Caledonia, France
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Samuels DS, Garon CF. Oligonucleotide-mediated genetic transformation of Borrelia burgdorferi. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 1997; 143 ( Pt 2):519-522. [PMID: 9043127 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-143-2-519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We have used short oligonucleotides to genetically transform the Lyme disease spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi. The oligonucleotides are derived from the sequence of an Arg-133 to Ile mutant gyrB (chromosomal) gene that confers resistance to the antibiotic coumermycin A1. Oligonucleotides were about 10,000-fold less efficient at transformation, on a molar basis, than longer PCR-generated substrates. All of the transformants tested contained the predicted site-directed silent mutation in their gyrB genes. Antisense oligonucleotides were more efficient at transformation than either sense or double-stranded oligonucleotides. This is the first demonstration of oligonucleotides used to introduce site-directed mutations directly into the genome of a bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Scott Samuels
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, USA
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Section, Rocky Mountain Laboratories Microscopy Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana 59840, USA
| | - Claude F Garon
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Section, Rocky Mountain Laboratories Microscopy Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana 59840, USA
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