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Linde J, Brangsch H, Hölzer M, Thomas C, Elschner MC, Melzer F, Tomaso H. Comparison of Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technology for genome analysis of Francisella tularensis, Bacillus anthracis, and Brucella suis. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:258. [PMID: 37173617 PMCID: PMC10182678 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09343-z] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial epidemiology needs to understand the spread and dissemination of strains in a One Health context. This is important for highly pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus anthracis, Brucella species, and Francisella tularensis. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has paved the way for genetic marker detection and high-resolution genotyping. While such tasks are established for Illumina short-read sequencing, Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) long-read sequencing has yet to be evaluated for such highly pathogenic bacteria with little genomic variations between strains. In this study, three independent sequencing runs were performed using Illumina, ONT flow cell version 9.4.1, and 10.4 for six strains of each of Ba. anthracis, Br. suis and F. tularensis. Data from ONT sequencing alone, Illumina sequencing alone and two hybrid assembly approaches were compared. RESULTS As previously shown, ONT produces ultra-long reads, while Illumina produces short reads with higher sequencing accuracy. Flow cell version 10.4 improved sequencing accuracy over version 9.4.1. The correct (sub-)species were inferred from all tested technologies, individually. Moreover, the sets of genetic markers for virulence, were almost identical for the respective species. The long reads of ONT allowed to assemble not only chromosomes of all species to near closure, but also virulence plasmids of Ba. anthracis. Assemblies based on nanopore data alone, Illumina data alone, and both hybrid assemblies correctly detected canonical (sub-)clades for Ba. anthracis and F. tularensis as well as multilocus sequence types for Br. suis. For F. tularensis, high-resolution genotyping using core-genome MLST (cgMLST) and core-genome Single-Nucleotide-Polymorphism (cgSNP) typing produced highly comparable results between data from Illumina and both ONT flow cell versions. For Ba. anthracis, only data from flow cell version 10.4 produced similar results to Illumina for both high-resolution typing methods. However, for Br. suis, high-resolution genotyping yielded larger differences comparing Illumina data to data from both ONT flow cell versions. CONCLUSIONS In summary, combining data from ONT and Illumina for high-resolution genotyping might be feasible for F. tularensis and Ba. anthracis, but not yet for Br. suis. The ongoing improvement of nanopore technology and subsequent data analysis may facilitate high-resolution genotyping for all bacteria with highly stable genomes in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Linde
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany.
| | - Hanka Brangsch
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Hölzer
- Genome Competence Center (MF1), Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Thomas
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Mandy C Elschner
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Falk Melzer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Herbert Tomaso
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany
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Queiroz PR, Posso MC, Martins ÉS, Grynberg P, Togawa R, Monnerat RG. Identification of cry genes in Bacillus thuringiensis by multiplex real-time PCR. J Microbiol Methods 2023; 205:106665. [PMID: 36592897 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2022.106665] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is an important bacterium of the group Bacillus cereus sensu lato due to its insecticidal properties. This microorganism has high genetic variability and its strains produce different Cry toxins, known as δ-endotoxins, which are mainly responsible for its toxic effect on insects that are agricultural pests or vector human diseases. Each strain can express a variety of cry genes, out of a total of 789 cry genes described so far. The detection of these genes is very important to characterize strains, as they may indicate their toxic potential. Several methods have been used to characterize B. thuringiensis strains, but one of the most common techniques is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) from primers that detect the presence of cry genes. This technique has been optimized to make real-time multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays faster, more efficient, and safer, because the presence of three genes can be detected in a single reaction. In this work, a multiplex assay was developed to identify the presence of genes from the cry1A, cry1C, and cry1F families whose respective toxins are present in both bioinsecticides, and commercial transgenic plants used to control caterpillars. Specific primers were designed to identify the families of the cited genes and the system was validated with samples that were sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The system was implemented and used to characterize 214 strains. Of these, eight were submitted to conventional PCR, and the results matched, again validating the system. Thus, the application of the proposed technique allows the reliable evaluation through this system to detect the presence of the genes of the families cry1A, cry1C, and cry1F in samples of B. thuringiensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Roberto Queiroz
- CEUB 707/907 - Campus Universitário, SEPN - Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70790-075, Brasil.
| | - Marina Cassago Posso
- Laboratório de Bactérias Entomopatogênicas, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, Brasil
| | | | - Priscila Grynberg
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, Brasil
| | - Roberto Togawa
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, Brasil
| | - Rose Gomes Monnerat
- Laboratório de Bactérias Entomopatogênicas, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, Brasil
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Muigg V, Cuénod A, Purushothaman S, Siegemund M, Wittwer M, Pflüger V, Schmidt KM, Weisser M, Ritz N, Widmer A, Goldenberger D, Hinic V, Roloff T, Søgaard KK, Egli A, Seth-Smith HM. Diagnostic challenges within the Bacillus cereus-group: finding the beast without teeth. New Microbes New Infect 2022; 49-50:101040. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2022.101040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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4
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Identification of Universally Applicable and Species-Specific Marker Peptides for Bacillus anthracis. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12101549. [PMID: 36294983 PMCID: PMC9605612 DOI: 10.3390/life12101549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax is a zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis (BA). Specific identification of this pathogen often relies on targeting genes located on two extrachromosomal plasmids, which represent the major pathogenicity factors of BA. However, more recent findings show that these plasmids have also been found in other closely related Bacillus species. In this study, we investigated the possibility of identifying species-specific and universally applicable marker peptides for BA. For this purpose, we applied a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based approach for 42 BA isolates. Along with the genomic sequencing data and by developing a bioinformatics data evaluation pipeline, which uses a database containing most of the publicly available protein sequences worldwide (UniParc), we were able to identify eleven universal marker peptides unique to BA. These markers are located on the chromosome and therefore, might overcome known problems, such as observable loss of plasmids in environmental species, plasmid loss during cultivation in the lab, and the fact that the virulence plasmids are not necessarily a unique feature of BA. The identified chromosomally encoded markers in this study could extend the small panel of already existing chromosomal targets and along with targets for the virulence plasmids, may pave the way to an even more reliable identification of BA using genomics- as well as proteomics-based techniques.
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Frentzel H, Kelner-Burgos Y, Fischer J, Heise J, Göhler A, Wichmann-Schauer H. Occurrence of selected bacterial pathogens in insect-based food products and in-depth characterisation of detected Bacillus cereus group isolates. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 379:109860. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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An Outbreak of Human Systemic Anthrax, including One Case of Anthrax Meningitis, Occurred in Calabria Region (Italy): A Description of a Successful One Health Approach. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12060909. [PMID: 35743940 PMCID: PMC9225246 DOI: 10.3390/life12060909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this report, three cases of human cutaneous anthrax are described, one complicated by meningitis, and all were linked to a single infected bullock. A 41-year-old male truck driver, along with two male slaughterhouse workers, 45 and 42, were hospitalized for necrotic lesions of the arm associated with edema of the limb and high fever. All three patients were involved in transporting a bullock to the slaughterhouse. Microbiological examination on the prescapular lymph node and a piece of muscle from the bullock carcass showed the presence of Bacillus anthracis. The three patients underwent a biopsy of the affected tissues, and all samples tested positive for B. anthracis DNA using PCR. Furthermore, the truck driver also complained of an intense headache, and a CSF sampling was performed, showing him positive for B. anthracis by PCR, confirming the presumptive diagnosis of meningitis. Fast diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for the management of human anthrax. Cooperation between human and veterinary medicine proved successful in diagnosing and resolving three human anthrax cases, confirming the reliability of the One Health approach for the surveillance of zoonoses.
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Evaluation of a Frozen Micro-Agar Plates of MAPt Antibiotic Susceptibility Test for Enhanced Bioterror Preparedness. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11050580. [PMID: 35625224 PMCID: PMC9137970 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11050580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for rapid antibiotic susceptibility tests to improve clinical treatment and to support antibiotic stewardship, especially concerning the emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Nowadays this need is even more profound due to progress in synthetic biology procedures that may facilitate the malicious preparation of engineered antibiotic-resistant pathogens. We recently described a novel, rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive method named a Micro-Agar-PCR-test (MAPt) and showed its performance on clinical as well as environmental samples. The method does not require any isolation or purification steps and is applicable to a wide range of bacterial concentrations, thus allowing a short time to respond within a bioterror event (5–7 h for B. anthracis, 10–12 h for Y. pestis, and 16 h for F. tularensis). Ready-to-use reagents for this assay may add a level of preparedness. We examined the option of freezing pre-prepared MAPt agar plates and thawing them upon need. Our results show that adequate minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values are obtained with the use of thawed 6- and 12-month frozen agar plates. The ability to store MAPt micro-agar plates at −70 °C for a year, together with all other reagents required for MAPt, holds a great advantage for bioterror preparedness.
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Wang L, Yang H, Wang K, Yang H, Zhao M, Shang Y, Wang F, Dong J, Zhao W, Li L, Liang W, Wang Y. A Visualized Isothermal Amplification Method for Rapid and Specific Detection of Emetic and Non-emetic Bacillus cereus in Dairy Products. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:802656. [PMID: 35418965 PMCID: PMC8996228 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.802656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus cereus is widely distributed in foods, especially dairy products, and can lead to diarrhea (non-emetic B. cereus) and emesis (emetic B. cereus). Although diarrhea due to B. cereus is usually mild, emesis can lead to acute encephalopathy and even death. To develop rapid and sensitive detection methods for B. cereus in foods, specific primers targeting the gyrase B (gyrB) and cereulide synthetase (ces) genes were designed and screened using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). Probes and base substitutions were introduced to improve specificity and eliminate primer-dependent artifacts. The 5' ends of the reverse primers and probes were modified with biotin and fluorescein isothiocyanate for detection of RPA products on a lateral flow strip (LFS). The developed RPA-LFS assay allows detection within 20 min at 37°C with no cross-reactivity with other foodborne pathogens. The limit of detection was 104 copies/ml and 102 CFU/ml in pure cultures and milk, respectively. Comparisons with established methods using cream obtained similar results. A specific, rapid, and sensitive RPA-LFS assay was successfully developed for on-site detection of B. cereus in dairy products to distinguish emetic from non-emetic strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China.,School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Huansen Yang
- Lianyungang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lianyungang, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Haitao Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Mengdi Zhao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuping Shang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Jingquan Dong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Weiguo Zhao
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Li Li
- Lianyungang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lianyungang, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Laboratory Department of Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo Hospital of Zhejiang University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, China
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Braun P, Nguyen MDT, Walter MC, Grass G. Ultrasensitive Detection of Bacillus anthracis by Real-Time PCR Targeting a Polymorphism in Multi-Copy 16S rRNA Genes and Their Transcripts. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12224. [PMID: 34830105 PMCID: PMC8618755 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The anthrax pathogen Bacillus anthracis poses a significant threat to human health. Identification of B. anthracis is challenging because of the bacterium's close genetic relationship to other Bacillus cereus group species. Thus, molecular detection is founded on species-specific PCR targeting single-copy genes. Here, we validated a previously recognized multi-copy target, a species-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) present in 2-5 copies in every B. anthracis genome analyzed. For this, a hydrolysis probe-based real-time PCR assay was developed and rigorously tested. The assay was specific as only B. anthracis DNA yielded positive results, was linear over 9 log10 units, and was sensitive with a limit of detection (LoD) of 2.9 copies/reaction. Though not exhibiting a lower LoD than established single-copy PCR targets (dhp61 or PL3), the higher copy number of the B. anthracis-specific 16S rRNA gene alleles afforded ≤2 unit lower threshold (Ct) values. To push the detection limit even further, the assay was adapted for reverse transcription PCR on 16S rRNA transcripts. This RT-PCR assay was also linear over 9 log10 units and was sensitive with an LoD of 6.3 copies/reaction. In a dilution series of experiments, the 16S RT-PCR assay achieved a thousand-fold higher sensitivity than the DNA-targeting assays. For molecular diagnostics, we recommend a real-time RT-PCR assay variant in which both DNA and RNA serve as templates (thus, no requirement for DNase treatment). This can at least provide results equaling the DNA-based implementation if no RNA is present but is superior even at the lowest residual rRNA concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gregor Grass
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.B.); (M.D.-T.N.); (M.C.W.)
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FRICKMANN HAGEN, POPPERT SVEN. No hints for abundance of Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in 100 environmental samples from Cameroon. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2021; 11:57-61. [PMID: 34478403 PMCID: PMC8614492 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2021.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known on the abundance of the pathogens Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia pseudomallei in environmental samples in Cameroon. Therefore, 100 respective samples were assessed in a proof-of-principle assessment. METHODS DNA residuals from nucleic acid extractions of 100 environmental samples, which were collected between 2011 and 2013 in the Mapé Basin of Cameroon, were screened for B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei by real-time PCR. The samples comprised soil samples with water contact (n = 88), soil samples without water contact (n = 6), plant material with water contact (n = 3), water (n = 2), and soil from a hospital dressing room (n = 1). RESULTS B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei were detected in none of the samples assessed. CONCLUSION The results indicate that at least a quantitatively overwhelming, ubiquitous occurrence of B. anthracis and B. pseudomallei in the environment in Cameroon is highly unlikely. However, the number and choice of the assessed samples limit the interpretability of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- HAGEN FRICKMANN
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - SVEN POPPERT
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Braun P, Rupprich N, Neif D, Grass G. Enzyme-Linked Phage Receptor Binding Protein Assays (ELPRA) Enable Identification of Bacillus anthracis Colonies. Viruses 2021; 13:1462. [PMID: 34452328 PMCID: PMC8402711 DOI: 10.3390/v13081462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage receptor binding proteins (RBPs) are employed by viruses to recognize specific surface structures on bacterial host cells. Recombinant RBPs have been utilized for detection of several pathogens, typically as fusions with reporter enzymes or fluorescent proteins. Identification of Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, can be difficult because of the bacterium's close relationship with other species of the Bacillus cereussensu lato group. Here, we facilitated the identification of B. anthracis using two implementations of enzyme-linked phage receptor binding protein assays (ELPRA). We developed a single-tube centrifugation assay simplifying the rapid analysis of suspect colonies. A second assay enables identification of suspect colonies from mixed overgrown solid (agar) media derived from the complex matrix soil. Thus, these tests identified vegetative cells of B. anthracis with little processing time and may support or confirm pathogen detection by molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gregor Grass
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.B.); (N.R.); (D.N.)
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Manzulli V, Rondinone V, Buchicchio A, Serrecchia L, Cipolletta D, Fasanella A, Parisi A, Difato L, Iatarola M, Aceti A, Poppa E, Tolve F, Pace L, Petruzzi F, Rovere ID, Raele DA, Del Sambro L, Giangrossi L, Galante D. Discrimination of Bacillus cereus Group Members by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061202. [PMID: 34199368 PMCID: PMC8228078 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technology is currently increasingly used in diagnostic laboratories as a cost effective, rapid and reliable routine technique for the identification and typing of microorganisms. In this study, we used MALDI-TOF MS to analyze a collection of 160 strains belonging to the Bacillus cereus group (57 B. anthracis, 49 B. cereus, 1 B. mycoides, 18 B. wiedmannii, 27 B. thuringiensis, 7 B. toyonensis and 1 B. weihenstephanensis) and to detect specific biomarkers which would allow an unequivocal identification. The Main Spectra Profiles (MSPs) were added to an in-house reference library, expanding the current commercial library which does not include B. toyonensis and B. wiedmannii mass spectra. The obtained mass spectra were statistically compared by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that revealed seven different clusters. Moreover, for the identification purpose, were generated dedicate algorithms for a rapid and automatic detection of characteristic ion peaks after the mass spectra acquisition. The presence of specific biomarkers can be used to differentiate strains within the B. cereus group and to make a reliable identification of Bacillus anthracis, etiologic agent of anthrax, which is the most pathogenic and feared bacterium of the group. This could offer a critical time advantage for the diagnosis and for the clinical management of human anthrax even in case of bioterror attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Manzulli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Valeria Rondinone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0881-786330
| | - Alessandro Buchicchio
- Bruker Italia s.r.l., Daltonics Division, Strada Cluentina, 26/R, 62100 Macerata, Italy;
| | - Luigina Serrecchia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Dora Cipolletta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Antonio Fasanella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Laura Difato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Michela Iatarola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Angela Aceti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Elena Poppa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Francesco Tolve
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Lorenzo Pace
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Fiorenza Petruzzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Ines Della Rovere
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Donato Antonio Raele
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Laura Del Sambro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Luigi Giangrossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Domenico Galante
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (V.M.); (L.S.); (D.C.); (A.F.); (A.P.); (L.D.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (F.T.); (L.P.); (F.P.); (I.D.R.); (D.A.R.); (L.D.S.); (L.G.); (D.G.)
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Eremenko E, Pechkovskii G, Pisarenko S, Ryazanova A, Kovalev D, Semenova O, Aksenova L, Timchenko L, Golovinskaya T, Bobrisheva O, Shapakov N, Kulichenko A. Phylogenetics of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Russia and bordering countries. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 92:104890. [PMID: 33962043 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax is a concern for public health and veterinary medicine in Russia. The available phylogenetic data on isolates from Russia and neighboring CIS countries are clearly not enough to gain a better understanding of their position in the global phylogenetic population structure of this pathogen. In this study, we analyzed the genomes of 66 Bacillus anthracis strains, which were isolated between 1935 and 2019 from different sources in Russia, as well as in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova. Whole genome SNP analysis of genomes of 66 strains obtained in this study along with 222 B. anthracis genomes available in the GenBank database revealed 7242 SNPs used to construct a phylogenetic reconstruction with the method of Maximum Likelihood. Studied strains belong to 6 different genetic groups: A.Br.008(A.Br.008/009), A.Br.081(Ames), A.Br.014(A.Br.Aust94), A.Br.082(A.Br.001/002), A.Br.034(A.Br.005/006, Ancient A) and B.Br.002 (B.Br.001/002). Within the group A.Br.014(A.Br.Aust94) a subcluster A.Br.029 of strains isolated in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia (Republic of Dagestan) and Turkey, named Caucasus-East Anatolia (CEA), was identified. In the subgroup A.Br.105(Tsiankovskii) the cluster A.Br.117 of strains from Russia, Ukraine and Slovakia are assigned, in the subgroup A.Br118 (STI) - cluster A.Br.123 with strains from Russia and Georgia and cluster A.Br.125 with strains from Republic of Dagestan. New subclusters B.Br.017("EUROPE") were identified in the B.Br.002(B.Br.001/002) cluster, represented by strains from the European part of Russia, as well as from South Korea and Finland. For 8 clusters and subclusters, the SNP markers were identified. The study confirmed a significant genetic diversity of the strains isolated in Russia and border countries and clarified their position in the phylogenetic structure of the global B. anthracis population. New genetic clusters A.Br.029 (CEA), A.Br.117, A.Br.123, A.Br.125, and B.Br.017 («EUROPE») were defined. 96 marker SNPs specific for these clusters were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Eremenko
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation.
| | - Grigorii Pechkovskii
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey Pisarenko
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Alla Ryazanova
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitry Kovalev
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Ol'ga Semenova
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Lyudmila Aksenova
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Lyudmila Timchenko
- Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution for Higher Education "North-Caucasus Federal University", 1 Pushkina Str, 355017 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Tatyana Golovinskaya
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Ol'ga Bobrisheva
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay Shapakov
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Kulichenko
- Federal Government Health Institution «Stavropol Plague Control Research Institute» of the Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Consumers Rights Protection and Human Welfare, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, 355035 Stavropol, Russian Federation
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Aloni-Grinstein R, Shifman O, Gur D, Aftalion M, Rotem S. MAPt: A Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing for Bacteria in Environmental Samples as a Means for Bioterror Preparedness. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:592194. [PMID: 33224128 PMCID: PMC7674193 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.592194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance of bio-threat agents holds major concerns especially in light of advances in methods for engineering pathogens with antibiotic resistance. Preparedness means for rapid identification and prompt proper medical treatment are of need to contain the event and prevent morbidity and spreading of the disease by properly treating exposed individuals before symptoms appearance. Herein, we describe a novel, rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive method named Micro-Agar-PCR-test (MAPt), which determines antibiotic susceptibility of bio-terror pathogens, directly from environmental samples, with no need for any prior isolation, quantification, or enrichment steps. As proof of concept, we have used this approach to obtain correct therapeutic antibiotic minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the Tier-1 select agents, Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Francisella tularensis, spiked in various environmental samples recapitulating potential bioterror scenarios. The method demonstrated efficiency for a broad dynamic range of bacterial concentrations, both for fast-growing as well as slow-growing bacteria and most importantly significantly shortening the time for accurate results from days to a few hours. The MAPt allows us to address bioterror agents-contaminated environmental samples, offering rational targeted prophylactic treatment, before the onset of morbidity in exposed individuals. Hence, MAPt is expected to provide data for decision-making personal for treatment regimens before the onset of symptoms in infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronit Aloni-Grinstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ohad Shifman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - David Gur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Moshe Aftalion
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Shahar Rotem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona, Israel
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Aminu OR, Lembo T, Zadoks RN, Biek R, Lewis S, Kiwelu I, Mmbaga BT, Mshanga D, Shirima G, Denwood M, Forde TL. Practical and effective diagnosis of animal anthrax in endemic low-resource settings. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008655. [PMID: 32925904 PMCID: PMC7513992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax threatens human and animal health, and people's livelihoods in many rural communities in Africa and Asia. In these areas, anthrax surveillance is challenged by a lack of tools for on-site detection. Furthermore, cultural practices and infrastructure may affect sample availability and quality. Practical yet accurate diagnostic solutions are greatly needed to quantify anthrax impacts. We validated microscopic and molecular methods for the detection of Bacillus anthracis in field-collected blood smears and identified alternative samples suitable for anthrax confirmation in the absence of blood smears. We investigated livestock mortalities suspected to be caused by anthrax in northern Tanzania. Field-prepared blood smears (n = 152) were tested by microscopy using four staining techniques as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Bayesian latent class analysis. Median sensitivity (91%, CI 95% [84-96%]) and specificity (99%, CI 95% [96-100%]) of microscopy using azure B were comparable to those of the recommended standard, polychrome methylene blue, PMB (92%, CI 95% [84-97%] and 98%, CI 95% [95-100%], respectively), but azure B is more available and convenient. Other commonly-used stains performed poorly. Blood smears could be obtained for <50% of suspected anthrax cases due to local customs and conditions. However, PCR on DNA extracts from skin, which was almost always available, had high sensitivity and specificity (95%, CI 95% [90-98%] and 95%, CI 95% [87-99%], respectively), even after extended storage at ambient temperature. Azure B microscopy represents an accurate diagnostic test for animal anthrax that can be performed with basic laboratory infrastructure and in the field. When blood smears are unavailable, PCR using skin tissues provides a valuable alternative for confirmation. Our findings lead to a practical diagnostic approach for anthrax in low-resource settings that can support surveillance and control efforts for anthrax-endemic countries globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olubunmi R. Aminu
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Tiziana Lembo
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth N. Zadoks
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Roman Biek
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanna Lewis
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Ireen Kiwelu
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Blandina T. Mmbaga
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Gabriel Shirima
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Matt Denwood
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Taya L. Forde
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Rapid Microscopic Detection of Bacillus anthracis by Fluorescent Receptor Binding Proteins of Bacteriophages. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060934. [PMID: 32575866 PMCID: PMC7356292 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax disease, is typically diagnosed by immunological and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Alternatively, mass spectrometry techniques may aid in confirming the presence of the pathogen or its toxins. However, because of the close genetic relationship between B. anthracis and other members of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group (such as Bacillus cereus or Bacillus thuringiensis) mis- or questionable identification occurs frequently. Also, bacteriophages such as phage gamma (which is highly specific for B. anthracis) have been in use for anthrax diagnostics for many decades. Here we employed host cell-specific receptor binding proteins (RBP) of (pro)-phages, also known as tail or head fibers, to develop a microscopy-based approach for the facile, rapid and unambiguous detection of B. anthracis cells. For this, the genes of (putative) RBP from Bacillus phages gamma, Wip1, AP50c and from lambdoid prophage 03 located on the chromosome of B. anthracis were selected. Respective phage genes were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as fusions with fluorescent proteins. B. anthracis cells incubated with either of the reporter fusion proteins were successfully surface-labeled. Binding specificity was confirmed as RBP fusion proteins did not bind to most isolates of a panel of other B. cereus s.l. species or to more distantly related bacteria. Remarkably, RBP fusions detected encapsulated B. anthracis cells, thus RBP were able to penetrate the poly-γ-d-glutamate capsule of B. anthracis. From these results we anticipate this RBP-reporter assay may be useful for rapid confirmative identification of B. anthracis.
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17
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Israeli O, Makdasi E, Cohen-Gihon I, Zvi A, Lazar S, Shifman O, Levy H, Gur D, Laskar O, Beth-Din A. A rapid high-throughput sequencing-based approach for the identification of unknown bacterial pathogens in whole blood. Future Sci OA 2020; 6:FSO476. [PMID: 32670604 PMCID: PMC7351085 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput DNA sequencing (HTS) of pathogens in whole blood samples is hampered by the high host/pathogen nucleic acids ratio. We describe a novel and rapid bacterial enrichment procedure whose implementation is exemplified in simulated bacteremic human blood samples. The procedure involves depletion of the host DNA, rapid HTS and bioinformatic analyses. Following this procedure, Y. pestis, F. tularensis and B. anthracis spiked-in samples displayed an improved host/pathogen DNA ratio of 2.5-5.9 orders of magnitude, in samples with bacteria spiked-in at 103-105 CFU/ml. The procedure described in this study enables rapid and detailed metagenomic profiling of pathogens within 8-9 h, circumventing the challenges imposed by the high background present in the bacteremic blood and by the unknown nature of the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Israeli
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Efi Makdasi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Inbar Cohen-Gihon
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Anat Zvi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Shirley Lazar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Ohad Shifman
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Haim Levy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - David Gur
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Orly Laskar
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Adi Beth-Din
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
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18
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Phylogenomic structure of Bacillus anthracis isolates in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa revealed novel single nucleotide polymorphisms. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 80:104146. [PMID: 31866402 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the aetiological agent of anthrax, is regarded as a highly monomorphic pathogen that presents a low genetic diversity using standard molecular techniques. Whole genome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are definitive signatures for subtyping of B. anthracis. Here we employed whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (wgSNP) analysis to investigate the genetic diversity of B. anthracis in the historically endemic region of Northern Cape Province (NCP), South Africa. Twenty-six isolates from anthrax outbreaks that occurred between 1998 and 2008/9 in NCP as well as from Namibia-South Africa Transfontier Conservation area and Botswana were compared to global B. anthracis genomes. Most NCP B. anthracis strains (n = 22) clustered in the A.Br.003/004 (A.Br.101) branch and are closely related to the Zimbabwe and Mozambique strains (A.Br.102 branch). A total of 4923 parsimony informative-SNPs accurately established the A.Br.003/004 phylogenetic relationships of the NCP isolates into two distinct sub-clades and SNP markers designated as A.Br.172 and A.Br.173 were developed. Other NCP strains (n = 2) grouped in the A.Br.001/002 (Sterne) branch while strains (n = 2) from the Namibia-South Africa Transfontier Conservation area and Botswana clustered in A.Br.005/006 (Ancient A) branch. The sequenced B. anthracis strains (A0094, A0096 and A0097) that clustered in the A.Br.064 (V770) clade were isolated from Vaalbos National Park and similar strains have not been isolated. The B. anthracis A0088 strain cluster with the NCP strains in the A.Br.003/004 (A.Br.172) SNP branch which has been isolated in NCP, South Africa. This study highlights the phylogenetic structure of NCP B. anthracis strains with distinctive SNP branches important for forensic tracing and novel SNP discovery purposes. The sequenced strains will serve as a means to further trace the dissemination of B. anthracis outbreaks in NCP, South Africa, and on the continent, as well as for forensic tracking on a global scale.
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19
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Pisarenko SV, Eremenko EI, Ryazanova AG, Kovalev DA, Buravtseva NP, Aksenova LY, Evchenko AY, Semenova OV, Bobrisheva OV, Kuznetsova IV, Golovinskaya TM, Tchmerenko DK, Kulichenko AN, Morozov VY. Genotyping and phylogenetic location of one clinical isolate of Bacillus anthracis isolated from a human in Russia. BMC Microbiol 2019; 19:165. [PMID: 31315564 PMCID: PMC6637652 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-019-1542-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus anthracis. In Russia, there are more than 35 thousand anthrax stationary unfavourable sites. At the same time, there is very little published information about the isolates of B. anthracis from the territory of Russia. In this study, we report the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis to characterize B. anthracis 81/1 strain isolated in Russia in 1969 from a person during an outbreak of the disease in the Stavropol region. Results We used 232 B. anthracis genomes, which are currently available in the GenBank database, to determine the place of the Russian isolate in the global phylogeny of B. anthracis. The studied strain was characterized by PCR-based genetic methods, such as Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA), canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (canSNP), as well as the method of full-genomic analysis of nucleotide polymorphisms (wgSNP). The results indicate that the Russian B. anthracis 81/1 strain belongs to Trans-Eurasion (TEA) group, the most representative in the world. Conclusions In this study, the full genomic sequence of virulent B. anthracis strain from Russia was characterized for the first time. As a result of complex phylogenetic analysis, the place of this isolate was determined in the global phylogenetic structure of the B. anthracis population, expanding our knowledge of anthrax phylogeography in Russia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-019-1542-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey V Pisarenko
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia.
| | - Eugene I Eremenko
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Alla G Ryazanova
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Kovalev
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Nina P Buravtseva
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Lyudmila Yu Aksenova
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Anna Yu Evchenko
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Olga V Semenova
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Olga V Bobrisheva
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Irina V Kuznetsova
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Tatyana M Golovinskaya
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Dmitriy K Tchmerenko
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Alexander N Kulichenko
- Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute, 13-15 Sovetskaya Str, Stavropol, 355035, Russia
| | - Vitaliy Yu Morozov
- Stavropol State Agrarian University, Stavropol, 355017, Russian Federation
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Israeli O, Cohen-Gihon I, Zvi A, Lazar S, Shifman O, Levy H, Tidhar A, Beth-Din A. Rapid identification of unknown pathogens in environmental samples using a high-throughput sequencing-based approach. Heliyon 2019; 5:e01793. [PMID: 31193701 PMCID: PMC6538980 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the event of a bioterror attack, a prompt, sensitive and definite identification of the agents involved is of major concern for confirmation of the event and for mitigation of countermeasures. Whether the information from intelligence forces is limited concerning the biothreat identity or one suspects the presence of a novel or engineered agent, the genetic identification of microorganisms in an unknown sample is challenging. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies can sequence a heterogeneous mixture of genetic materials with high sensitivity and speed; nevertheless, despite the enormous advantages of HTS, all previous reports have analyzed unknown samples in a timeframe of a few days to a few weeks. This timeframe might not be relevant to an emergency scenario. Here, we present an HTS-based approach for deciphering the genetic composition of unknown samples within a working day. This outcome is accomplished by a rapid library preparation procedure, short-length sequencing and a prompt bioinformatics comparison against all available microbial genomic sequences. Using this approach, as a proof of concept, we were able to detect two spiked-in biothreat agents, B. anthracis and Y. pestis, in a variety of environmental samples at relevant concentrations and within a short timeframe of eight hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Israeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Inbar Cohen-Gihon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Anat Zvi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Shirley Lazar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Ohad Shifman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Haim Levy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Avital Tidhar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Adi Beth-Din
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
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Bacillus species at the Canberra Airport: A comparison of real-time polymerase chain reaction and massively parallel sequencing for identification. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 295:169-178. [PMID: 30612042 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Anthrax, caused by the Gram-positive, spore forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is a disease with naturally occurring outbreaks in many parts of the world, primarily in domestic and wild herbivores. Due to the movement of people and stock, B. anthracis could, however, be at transportation hubs including airports. The continuous threat to national and international security from a biological agent release, or hoax attack, is a very real concern. Sensitive, robust and rapid (hours-day) methods to identify biological agents, including B. anthracis, and distinguish pathogenic from non-pathogenic species, is an essential cornerstone to national security. The aim of this project was to determine the presence of Bacillus species at the Canberra Airport using two massively parallel sequencing (MPS) approaches and compare with previous results using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Samples were collected daily for seven days each month from August 2011-July 2012 targeting movement of people, luggage and freight into and out of the Canberra Airport. Extracted DNA was analysed using qPCR specific for B. anthracis. A subset of samples was analysed using two MPS approaches. Approach one, using the Ion PGM™ (Thermo Fisher Scientific; TFS) and an in-house assay, targeted the two B. anthracis virulence plasmids (cya and capB genes) and a single conserved region of the 16S rRNA gene. Approach two, using the Ion S5™ (TFS) and the commercial Ion 16S™ Metagenomics Kit (TFS), targeted multiple regions within the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Overall there was consistency between the two MPS approaches and between MPS and qPCR, however, MPS was more sensitive, particularly for plasmid detection. Whilst the broad-range 16S genomic target(s) used in both MPS approaches in this study was able to generate a metagenomic fingerprint of the bacterial community at the Canberra Airport, it could not resolve Bacillus species beyond the level of the Bacillus cereus group. The inclusion of B. anthracis virulence plasmid targets in the in-house assay did allow for the potential presumptive identifications of pathogenic species. No plasmid targets were in the Ion 16S™ Metagenomics Kit. This study shows the choice of target(s) is key in MPS assay development and should be carefully considered to ensure the assay is fit for purpose, whether as an initial screening (presumptive) or a more specific (but not entirely confirmatory) test. Identification approaches may also benefit from a combination of MPS and qPCR as each has benefits and limitations.
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Hutchison JR, Piepel GF, Amidan BG, Hess BM, Sydor MA, Deatherage Kaiser BL. Comparison of false-negative rates and limits of detection following macrofoam-swab sampling of Bacillus anthracis surrogates via Rapid Viability PCR and plate culture. J Appl Microbiol 2018; 124:1092-1106. [PMID: 29356220 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We evaluated the effects of Bacillus anthracis surrogates, low surface concentrations, surface materials and assay methods on false-negative rate (FNR) and limit of detection (LOD95 ) for recovering Bacillus spores using a macrofoam-swab sampling procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS Bacillus anthracis Sterne or Bacillus atrophaeus Nakamura spores were deposited over a range of low target concentrations (2-500 per coupon) onto glass, stainless steel, vinyl tile and plastic. Samples were assayed using a modified Rapid Viability-PCR (mRV-PCR) method and the traditional plate culture method to obtain FNR and LOD95 results. CONCLUSIONS Mean FNRs tended to be lower for mRV-PCR compared to culturing, and increased as spore concentration decreased for all surface materials. Surface material, but not B. anthracis surrogate, influenced FNRs with the mRV-PCR method. The mRV-PCR LOD95 was lowest for glass and highest for vinyl tile. LOD95 values overall were lower for mRV-PCR than for the culture method. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY This study adds to the limited data on FNR and LOD95 for mRV-PCR and culturing methods with low concentrations of B. anthracis sampled from various surface materials by the CDC macrofoam-swab method. These are key inputs for planning characterization and clearance studies for low contamination levels of B. anthracis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Hutchison
- National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - G F Piepel
- National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - B G Amidan
- National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - B M Hess
- National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - M A Sydor
- National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - B L Deatherage Kaiser
- National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
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Frentzel H, Kraushaar B, Krause G, Bodi D, Wichmann-Schauer H, Appel B, Mader A. Phylogenetic and toxinogenic characteristics of Bacillus cereus group members isolated from spices and herbs. Food Control 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Frentzel H, Thanh MD, Krause G, Appel B, Mader A. Quantification and differentiation of Bacillus cereus group species in spices and herbs by real-time PCR. Food Control 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Rapid identification of Bacillus anthracis by real-time PCR with dual hybridization probes in environmental swabs. Mol Cell Probes 2017; 37:22-27. [PMID: 29113932 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we report the development of a real-time PCR assay for the identification of Bacillus anthracis, based on the amplification of a unique chromosomal marker, the E4 sequence, with dual hybridization probes. The assay was evaluated using a panel of ten B. anthracis strains, two B. anthracis isolates from human clinical samples, 12 B. anthracis environmental swabs and 40 non- B. anthracis strains. All 12 B. anthracis strains and clinical isolates were correctly detected, and the method did not show cross-reactions with other micro-organisms. Likewise, the E4 sequence was not found in those strains of B. thuringiensis and B. cereus closely related (homology > 90%) to B. anthracis by computer analysis. On the other hand, this molecular assay showed a high analytical sensitivity, 3.5 genome equivalents per reaction at 95% probability. Furthermore, the real-time PCR assay allowed sequence-specific detection of the amplicon (melting peak with a Tm of 63.5 °C ± 0.5 °C) without post-amplification procedures, which offers an additional advantage over other qPCR assays for B. anthracis detection. Finally, the performance of the method was successfully evaluated in 12 environmental samples. In summary, we have developed a rapid and specific method for the molecular identification of Bacillus anthracis in environmental samples.
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High-Quality Genome Sequence of Bacillus anthracis Strain 14RA5914 Isolated during an Outbreak in Germany in 2014. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2017; 5:5/40/e01002-17. [PMID: 28982993 PMCID: PMC5629050 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.01002-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a zoonotic agent causing anthrax, a notifiable disease in animals. The last anthrax outbreak among cattle in Germany occurred in April 2014 in Saxony-Anhalt. Here we report a high-quality genome sequence of the Bacillus anthracis strain 14RA5914 Dobichau isolated from the spleen of a dead cow.
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Ozanich RM, Colburn HA, Victry KD, Bartholomew RA, Arce JS, Heredia-Langner A, Jarman K, Kreuzer HW, Bruckner-Lea CJ. Evaluation of PCR Systems for Field Screening of Bacillus anthracis. Health Secur 2017; 15:70-80. [PMID: 28192050 PMCID: PMC5314994 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2016.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is little published data on the performance of hand-portable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems that can be used by first responders to determine if a suspicious powder contains a potential biothreat agent. We evaluated 5 commercially available hand-portable PCR instruments for detection of Bacillus anthracis. We used a cost-effective, statistically based test plan to evaluate systems at performance levels ranging from 0.85-0.95 lower confidence bound (LCB) of the probability of detection (POD) at confidence levels of 80% to 95%. We assessed specificity using purified genomic DNA from 13 B. anthracis strains and 18 Bacillus near neighbors, potential interference with 22 suspicious powders that are commonly encountered in the field by first responders during suspected biothreat incidents, and the potential for PCR inhibition when B. anthracis spores were spiked into these powders. Our results indicate that 3 of the 5 systems achieved 0.95 LCB of the probability of detection with 95% confidence levels at test concentrations of 2,000 genome equivalents/mL (GE/mL), which is comparable to 2,000 spores/mL. This is more than sufficient sensitivity for screening visible suspicious powders. These systems exhibited no false-positive results or PCR inhibition with common suspicious powders and reliably detected B. anthracis spores spiked into these powders, though some issues with assay controls were observed. Our testing approach enables efficient performance testing using a statistically rigorous and cost-effective test plan to generate performance data that allow users to make informed decisions regarding the purchase and use of field biodetection equipment. The authors evaluated 5 commercially available hand-portable PCR instruments for detecting Bacillus anthracis. These systems exhibited no false-positive results or PCR inhibition with common suspicious powders and reliably detected B. anthracis spores spiked into these powders, though some issues with assay controls were observed.
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Boukedi H, Ben Khedher S, Hadhri R, Jaoua S, Tounsi S, Abdelkefi-Mesrati L. Vegetative insecticidal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis BLB459 and its efficiency against Lepidoptera. Toxicon 2017; 129:89-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Hutchison JR, Erikson RL, Sheen AM, Ozanich RM, Kelly RT. Reagent-free and portable detection of Bacillus anthracis spores using a microfluidic incubator and smartphone microscope. Analyst 2016; 140:6269-76. [PMID: 26266749 DOI: 10.1039/c5an01304f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax and can be contracted by humans and herbivorous mammals by inhalation, ingestion, or cutaneous exposure to bacterial spores. Due to its stability and disease potential, B. anthracis is a recognized biothreat agent and robust detection and viability methods are needed to identify spores from unknown samples. Here we report the use of smartphone-based microscopy (SPM) in combination with a simple microfluidic incubation device (MID) to detect 50 to 5000 B. anthracis Sterne spores in 3 to 5 hours. This technique relies on optical monitoring of the conversion of the ∼1 μm spores to the filamentous vegetative cells that range from tens to hundreds of micrometers in length. This distinguishing filament formation is unique to B. anthracis as compared to other members of the Bacillus cereus group. A unique feature of this approach is that the sample integrity is maintained, and the vegetative biomass can be removed from the chip for secondary molecular analysis such as PCR. Compared with existing chip-based and rapid viability PCR methods, this new approach reduces assay time by almost half, and is highly sensitive, specific, and cost effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine R Hutchison
- Chemical Biological Signatures Science, National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P. O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, USA.
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Gahan ME, Thomas R, Rossi R, Nelson M, Roffey P, Richardson MM, McNevin D. Background frequency of Bacillus species at the Canberra Airport: A 12 month study. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 257:142-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Advances in Anthrax Detection: Overview of Bioprobes and Biosensors. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2015; 176:957-77. [PMID: 25987133 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-015-1625-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Although anthrax commonly affects domestic and wild animals, it causes a rare but lethal infection in humans. A variety of techniques have been introduced and evaluated to detect anthrax using cultures, polymerase chain reaction, and immunoassays to address the potential threat of anthrax being used as a bioweapon. The high-potential harm of anthrax in bioterrorism requires sensitive and specific detection systems that are rapid, field-ready, and real-time monitoring. Here, we provide a systematic overview of anthrax detection probes with their potential applications in various ultra-sensitive diagnostic systems.
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Muller J, Gwozdz J, Hodgeman R, Ainsworth C, Kluver P, Czarnecki J, Warner S, Fegan M. Diagnostic performance characteristics of a rapid field test for anthrax in cattle. Prev Vet Med 2015; 120:277-82. [PMID: 25956134 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Although diagnosis of anthrax can be made in the field with a peripheral blood smear, and in the laboratory with bacterial culture or molecular based tests, these tests require either considerable experience or specialised equipment. Here we report on the evaluation of the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a simple and rapid in-field diagnostic test for anthrax, the anthrax immunochromatographic test (AICT). The AICT detects the protective antigen (PA) component of the anthrax toxin present within the blood of an animal that has died from anthrax. The test provides a result in 15min and offers the advantage of avoiding the necessity for on-site necropsy and subsequent occupational risks and environmental contamination. The specificity of the test was determined by testing samples taken from 622 animals, not infected with Bacillus anthracis. Diagnostic sensitivity was estimated on samples taken from 58 animals, naturally infected with B. anthracis collected over a 10-year period. All samples used to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the AICT were also tested using the gold standard of bacterial culture. The diagnostic specificity of the test was estimated to be 100% (99.4-100%; 95% CI) and the diagnostic sensitivity was estimated to be 93.1% (83.3-98.1%; 95% CI) (Clopper-Pearson method). Four samples produced false negative AICT results. These were among 9 samples, all of which tested positive for B. anthracis by culture, where there was a time delay between collection and testing of >48h and/or the samples were collected from animals that were >48h post-mortem. A statistically significant difference (P<0.001; Fishers exact test) was found between the ability of the AICT to detect PA in samples from culture positive animals <48h post-mortem, 49 of 49, Se=100% (92.8-100%; 95% CI) compared with samples tested >48h post-mortem 5 of 9 Se=56% (21-86.3%; 95% CI) (Clopper-Pearson method). Based upon these results a post hoc cut-off for use of the AICT of 48h post-mortem was applied, Se=100% (92.8-100%; 95% CI) and Sp=100% (99.4-100%; 95% CI). The high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and the simplicity of the AICT enables it to be used for active surveillance in areas with a history of anthrax, or used as a preliminary tool in investigating sudden, unexplained death in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Muller
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Biosciences Research Division, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, La Trobe University Research and Development Park, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Jacek Gwozdz
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Biosciences Research Division, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, La Trobe University Research and Development Park, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Rachel Hodgeman
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Biosciences Research Division, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, La Trobe University Research and Development Park, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Catherine Ainsworth
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Biosciences Research Division, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, La Trobe University Research and Development Park, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Patrick Kluver
- Livestock Biosecurity Networks, National Farmers Federation House, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Jill Czarnecki
- Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center-Frederick, 8400 Research Plaza, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Simone Warner
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Biosciences Research Division, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, La Trobe University Research and Development Park, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Mark Fegan
- Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Biosciences Research Division, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, La Trobe University Research and Development Park, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
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Riojas MA, Kiss K, McKee ML, Hazbón MH. Multiplex PCR for species-level identification of Bacillus anthracis and detection of pXO1, pXO2, and related plasmids. Health Secur 2015; 13:122-9. [PMID: 25813976 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2014.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus anthracis virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 have critical implications for biosafety and select agent status. The proper identification and characterization of B. anthracis and its plasmid profile is important to the biodefense research community. Multiplex PCR was used to simultaneously detect a B. anthracis-specific chromosomal mutation, 4 targets distributed across pXO1, 3 targets distributed across pXO2, and highly conserved regions of the 16S gene, allowing an internal positive control for each sample. The multiplex PCR can produce as many as 9 easily separable and distinguishable amplicons, ranging in size from 188 to 555 bp. The PCR results were used to characterize DNA samples extracted from B. anthracis, other Bacillus species, and other bacterial species from many different genera. With the exception of 2 novel putative plasmids discovered, testing against inclusion and extensive exclusion panels showed 100% correlation to previously published and expected results. Upon testing 29 previously unpublished B. anthracis strains, 10 (34.5%) were pXO1(+)/pXO2(+), 9 (31.0%) were pXO1(+)/pXO2(-), 7 (24.1%) were pXO1(-)/pXO2(+), and 3 (10.3%) were pXO1(-)/pXO2(-). The present work presents a novel 9-target multiplex PCR assay capable of species-level identification of B. anthracis via a unique chromosomal marker and the detection of pXO1 and pXO2 via multiply redundant targets on each.
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Osmekhina E, Shvetsova A, Ruottinen M, Neubauer P. Quantitative and sensitive RNA based detection of Bacillus spores. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:92. [PMID: 24653718 PMCID: PMC3949131 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fast and reliable detection of bacterial spores is of great importance and still remains a challenge. Here we describe a direct RNA-based diagnostic method for the specific detection of viable bacterial spores which does not depends on an enzymatic amplification step and therefore is directly appropriate for quantification. The procedure includes the following steps: (i) heat activation of spores, (ii) germination and enrichment cultivation, (iii) cell lysis, and (iv) analysis of 16S rRNA in crude cell lysates using a sandwich hybridization assay. The sensitivity of the method is dependent on the cultivation time and the detection limit; it is possible to detect 10 spores per ml when the RNA analysis is performed after 6 h of enrichment cultivation. At spore concentrations above 10(6) spores per ml the cultivation time can be shortened to 30 min. Total analysis times are in the range of 2-8 h depending on the spore concentration in samples. The developed procedure is optimized at the example of Bacillus subtilis spores but should be applicable to other organisms. The new method can easily be modified for other target RNAs and is suitable for specific detection of spores from known groups of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Osmekhina
- Department of Process and Environmental Engineering and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland
| | - Antonina Shvetsova
- Department of Biochemistry and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland
| | - Maria Ruottinen
- Department of Process and Environmental Engineering and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland
| | - Peter Neubauer
- Department of Process and Environmental Engineering and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu Oulu, Finland ; Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
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Ågren J, Hamidjaja RA, Hansen T, Ruuls R, Thierry S, Vigre H, Janse I, Sundström A, Segerman B, Koene M, Löfström C, Van Rotterdam B, Derzelle S. In silico and in vitro evaluation of PCR-based assays for the detection of Bacillus anthracis chromosomal signature sequences. Virulence 2013; 4:671-85. [PMID: 24005110 DOI: 10.4161/viru.26288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a zoonotic pathogen that is relatively common throughout the world and may cause life threatening diseases in animals and humans. There are many PCR-based assays in use for the detection of B. anthracis. While most of the developed assays rely on unique markers present on virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2, relatively few assays incorporate chromosomal DNA markers due to the close relatedness of B. anthracis to the B. cereus group strains. For the detection of chromosomal DNA, different genes have been used, such as BA813, rpoB, gyrA, plcR, S-layer, and prophage-lambda. Following a review of the literature, an in silico analysis of all signature sequences reported for identification of B. anthracis was conducted. Published primer and probe sequences were compared for specificity against 134 available Bacillus spp. genomes. Although many of the chromosomal targets evaluated are claimed to be specific to B. anthracis, cross-reactions with closely related B. cereus and B. thuringiensis strains were often observed. Of the 35 investigated PCR assays, only 4 were 100% specific for the B. anthracis chromosome. An interlaboratory ring trial among five European laboratories was then performed to evaluate six assays, including the WHO recommended procedures, using a collection of 90 Bacillus strains. Three assays performed adequately, yielding no false positive or negative results. All three assays target chromosomal markers located within the lambdaBa03 prophage region (PL3, BA5345, and BA5357). Detection limit was further assessed for one of these highly specific assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakim Ågren
- National Veterinary Institute; Department of Bacteriology; Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Raditijo A Hamidjaja
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; Centre for Infectious Disease Control; Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Trine Hansen
- National Food Institute; Technical University of Denmark; Søborg, Denmark
| | - Robin Ruuls
- Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University and Research Centre; Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Simon Thierry
- University Paris-Est Anses; Animal Health Laboratory; Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Håkan Vigre
- National Food Institute; Technical University of Denmark; Søborg, Denmark
| | - Ingmar Janse
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; Centre for Infectious Disease Control; Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anders Sundström
- National Veterinary Institute; Department of Bacteriology; Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bo Segerman
- National Veterinary Institute; Department of Bacteriology; Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Miriam Koene
- Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University and Research Centre; Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotta Löfström
- National Food Institute; Technical University of Denmark; Søborg, Denmark
| | - Bart Van Rotterdam
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; Centre for Infectious Disease Control; Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology; Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sylviane Derzelle
- University Paris-Est Anses; Animal Health Laboratory; Maisons-Alfort, France
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Amoako KK, Janzen TW, Shields MJ, Hahn KR, Thomas MC, Goji N. Rapid detection and identification of Bacillus anthracis in food using pyrosequencing technology. Int J Food Microbiol 2013; 165:319-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Ehling-Schulz M, Messelhäusser U. Bacillus "next generation" diagnostics: moving from detection toward subtyping and risk-related strain profiling. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:32. [PMID: 23440299 PMCID: PMC3579190 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly heterogeneous genus Bacillus comprises the largest species group of endospore forming bacteria. Because of their ubiquitous nature, Bacillus spores can enter food production at several stages resulting in significant economic losses and posing a potential risk to consumers due the capacity of certain Bacillus strains for toxin production. In the past, food microbiological diagnostics was focused on the determination of species using conventional culture-based methods, which are still widely used. However, due to the extreme intra-species diversity found in the genus Bacillus, DNA-based identification and typing methods are gaining increasing importance in routine diagnostics. Several studies showed that certain characteristics are rather strain-dependent than species-specific. Therefore, the challenge for current and future Bacillus diagnostics is not only the efficient and accurate identification on species level but also the development of rapid methods to identify strains with specific characteristics (such as stress resistance or spoilage potential), trace contamination sources, and last but not least discriminate potential hazardous strains from non-toxic strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ehling-Schulz
- Institute of Functional Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna, Austria
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Straub T, Baird C, Bartholomew RA, Colburn H, Seiner D, Victry K, Zhang L, Bruckner-Lea CJ. Estimated copy number of Bacillus anthracis plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 using digital PCR. J Microbiol Methods 2012; 92:9-10. [PMID: 23142659 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2012.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Revised: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated digital PCR (dPCR) to directly enumerate plasmid and chromosome copies in three strains of Bacillus anthracis. Copy number estimates based on conventional quantitative PCR (qPCR) highlighted the variability of using qPCR to measure copy number whereas estimates based on direct sequencing are comparable to dPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Straub
- Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences Group, National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, United States.
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Doellinger J, Schroeder K, Witt N, Heunemann C, Nitsche A. Comparison of real-time PCR and MassTag PCR for the multiplex detection of highly pathogenic agents. Mol Cell Probes 2012; 26:177-81. [PMID: 22819946 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2012.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Multiplex PCR assays are a cost- as well as labour-effective way to analyse one sample for several pathogens simultaneously. Besides the mutual competition of the individual PCR reactions included in a multiplex PCR assay, their specific read-out displays a limiting factor for the total number of PCR reactions that can be multiplexed. In this study, two PCR systems with different read-out approaches are compared, using a pentaplex PCR assay for the detection of highly pathogenic agents. A pentaplex assay was used since five represents the current limit of real-time PCR multiplexing capacity due to the low resolution of fluorescence emission peaks of the current equipment. In contrast, MassTag PCR as a quite new technique offers the possibility to detect up to 20-30 target sequences from one reaction. After extensive and separate optimisation of the PCR protocol for both platforms, a comparative probit analysis showed good sensitivities for MassTag and real-time PCR detection. Nevertheless, the detection limits of MassTag PCR have been undercut by the real-time PCR for each target. We therefore conclude that MassTag PCR is a useful diagnostic technique for the sensitive screening for pathogens by highly multiplexed PCR assays, but cannot reach the sensitivity of real-time PCR for lower multiplexed PCR assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Doellinger
- Centre for Biological Security, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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Ågren J, Sundström A, Håfström T, Segerman B. Gegenees: fragmented alignment of multiple genomes for determining phylogenomic distances and genetic signatures unique for specified target groups. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39107. [PMID: 22723939 PMCID: PMC3377601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of Next Generation Sequencing technologies leads to the accumulation of huge amounts of sequencing data. The scientific community faces an enormous challenge in how to deal with this explosion. Here we present a software tool, ‘Gegenees’, that uses a fragmented alignment approach to facilitate the comparative analysis of hundreds of microbial genomes. The genomes are fragmented and compared, all against all, by a multithreaded BLAST control engine. Ready-made alignments can be complemented with new genomes without recalculating the existing data points. Gegenees gives a phylogenomic overview of the genomes and the alignment can then be mined for genomic regions with conservation patterns matching a defined target group and absent from a background group. The genomic regions are given biomarker scores forming a uniqueness signature that can be viewed and explored, graphically and in tabular form. A primer/probe alignment tool is also included for specificity verification of currently used or new primers. We exemplify the use of Gegenees on the Bacillus cereus group, on Foot and Mouth Disease Viruses, and on strains from the 2011 Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak. Gegenees contributes towards an increased capacity of fast and efficient data mining as more and more genomes become sequenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakim Ågren
- Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Sundström
- Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Therese Håfström
- Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bo Segerman
- Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Knutsson R, van Rotterdam B, Fach P, De Medici D, Fricker M, Löfström C, Ågren J, Segerman B, Andersson G, Wielinga P, Fenicia L, Skiby J, Schultz AC, Ehling-Schulz M. Accidental and deliberate microbiological contamination in the feed and food chains — How biotraceability may improve the response to bioterrorism. Int J Food Microbiol 2011; 145 Suppl 1:S123-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2010] [Revised: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 10/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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42
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Knutsson R. A tracing tool portfolio to detect Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum and Noroviruses: bioterrorism is a food safety and security issue. Int J Food Microbiol 2010; 145 Suppl 1:S121-2. [PMID: 21324542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rickard Knutsson
- Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute, SVA, Sweden.
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