1
|
Pustijanac E, Buršić M, Millotti G, Paliaga P, Iveša N, Cvek M. Tick-Borne Bacterial Diseases in Europe: Threats to public health. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024:10.1007/s10096-024-04836-5. [PMID: 38676855 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04836-5] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne diseases, caused by bacterial pathogens, pose a growing threat to public health in Europe. This paper provides an overview of the historical context of the discovery of the most impactful pathogens transmitted by ticks, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Francisella spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Understanding the historical context of their discovery provides insight into the evolution of our understanding of these pathogens. METHODS AND RESULTS Systematic investigation of the prevalence and transmission dynamics of these bacterial pathogens is provided, highlighting the intricate relationships among ticks, host organisms, and the environment. Epidemiology is explored, providing an in-depth analysis of clinical features associated with infections. Diagnostic methodologies undergo critical examination, with a spotlight on technological advancements that enhance detection capabilities. Additionally, the paper discusses available treatment options, addressing existing therapeutic strategies and considering future aspects. CONCLUSIONS By integrating various pieces of information on these bacterial species, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers and healthcare professionals addressing the impact of bacterial tick-borne diseases in Europe. This review underscores the importance of understanding the complex details influencing bacterial prevalence and transmission dynamics to better combat these emerging public health threats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emina Pustijanac
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100, Pula, Croatia.
| | - Moira Buršić
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100, Pula, Croatia
| | - Gioconda Millotti
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100, Pula, Croatia
| | - Paolo Paliaga
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100, Pula, Croatia
| | - Neven Iveša
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100, Pula, Croatia
| | - Maja Cvek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Region of Istria, Nazorova 23, 52100, Pula, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Strnad M, Rudenko N, Rego RO. Pathogenicity and virulence of Borrelia burgdorferi. Virulence 2023; 14:2265015. [PMID: 37814488 PMCID: PMC10566445 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2265015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi often triggers pathophysiologic perturbations that are further augmented by the inflammatory responses of the host, resulting in the severe clinical conditions of Lyme disease. While our apprehension of the spatial and temporal integration of the virulence determinants during the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi is constantly being improved, there is still much to be discovered. Many of the novel virulence strategies discussed in this review are undetermined. Lyme disease spirochaetes must surmount numerous molecular and mechanical obstacles in order to establish a disseminated infection in a vertebrate host. These barriers include borrelial relocation from the midgut of the feeding tick to its body cavity and further to the salivary glands, deposition to the skin, haematogenous dissemination, extravasation from blood circulation system, evasion of the host immune responses, localization to protective niches, and establishment of local as well as distal infection in multiple tissues and organs. Here, the various well-defined but also possible novel strategies and virulence mechanisms used by B. burgdorferi to evade obstacles laid out by the tick vector and usually the mammalian host during colonization and infection are reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Strnad
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, Czech Republic
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ryan O.M. Rego
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Golovchenko M, Opelka J, Vancova M, Sehadova H, Kralikova V, Dobias M, Raska M, Krupka M, Sloupenska K, Rudenko N. Concurrent Infection of the Human Brain with Multiple Borrelia Species. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16906. [PMID: 38069228 PMCID: PMC10707132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease (LD) spirochetes are well known to be able to disseminate into the tissues of infected hosts, including humans. The diverse strategies used by spirochetes to avoid the host immune system and persist in the host include active immune suppression, induction of immune tolerance, phase and antigenic variation, intracellular seclusion, changing of morphological and physiological state in varying environments, formation of biofilms and persistent forms, and, importantly, incursion into immune-privileged sites such as the brain. Invasion of immune-privileged sites allows the spirochetes to not only escape from the host immune system but can also reduce the efficacy of antibiotic therapy. Here we present a case of the detection of spirochetal DNA in multiple loci in a LD patient's post-mortem brain. The presence of co-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia garinii in this LD patient's brain was confirmed by PCR. Even though both spirochete species were simultaneously present in human brain tissue, the brain regions where the two species were detected were different and non-overlapping. The presence of atypical spirochete morphology was noted by immunohistochemistry of the brain samples. Atypical morphology was also found in the tissues of experimentally infected mice, which were used as a control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryna Golovchenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Jakub Opelka
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (J.O.); (H.S.)
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Vancova
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic;
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (J.O.); (H.S.)
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kralikova
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law, University Hospital Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (V.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Martin Dobias
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law, University Hospital Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (V.K.); (M.D.)
| | - Milan Raska
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Michal Krupka
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Kristyna Sloupenska
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vaca DJ, Frenzel F, Ballhorn W, Torres SG, Leisegang MS, Günther S, Bender D, Kraiczy P, Göttig S, Kempf VAJ. Adhesion of human pathogenic bacteria to endothelial cells is facilitated by fibronectin interaction. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105172. [PMID: 37343664 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Human pathogenic bacteria circulating in the bloodstream need to find a way to interact with endothelial cells (ECs) lining the blood vessels to infect and colonise the host. The extracellular matrix (ECM) of ECs might represent an attractive initial target for bacterial interaction, as many bacterial adhesins have reported affinities to ECM proteins, in particular to fibronectin (Fn). Here, we analysed the general role of EC-expressed Fn for bacterial adhesion. For this, we evaluated the expression levels of ECM coding genes in different ECs, revealing that Fn is the highest expressed gene and thereby, it is highly abundant in the ECM environment of ECs. The role of Fn as a mediator in bacterial cell-host adhesion was evaluated in adhesion assays of Acinetobacter baumannii, Bartonella henselae, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Staphylococcus aureus to ECs. The assays demonstrated that bacteria colocalised with Fn fibres, as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Fn removal from the ECM environment (FN1 knockout ECs) diminished bacterial adherence to ECs in both static and dynamic adhesion assays to varying extents, as evaluated via absolute quantification using qPCR. Interactions between adhesins and Fn might represent the crucial step for the adhesion of human-pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria targeting the ECs as a niche of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana J Vaca
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe University, Paul Ehrlich Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Fabienne Frenzel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe University, Paul Ehrlich Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Wibke Ballhorn
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe University, Paul Ehrlich Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Sara Garcia Torres
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe University, Paul Ehrlich Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Matthias S Leisegang
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany; German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site RheinMain, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Stefan Günther
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Parkstraße 1, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany.
| | - Daniela Bender
- Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Department of Virology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225, Langen, Germany.
| | - Peter Kraiczy
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe University, Paul Ehrlich Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Stephan Göttig
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe University, Paul Ehrlich Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Volkhard A J Kempf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe University, Paul Ehrlich Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Constantinou I, Bastounis EE. Cell-stretching devices: advances and challenges in biomedical research and live-cell imaging. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:939-950. [PMID: 36604290 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Basic human functions such as breathing and digestion require mechanical stretching of cells and tissues. However, when it comes to laboratory experiments, the mechanical stretching that cells experience in the body is not often replicated, limiting the biomimetic nature of the studies and the relevance of results. Herein, we establish the importance of mechanical stretching during in vitro investigations by reviewing seminal works performed using cell-stretching platforms, highlighting important outcomes of these works as well as the engineering characteristics of the platforms used. Emphasis is placed on the compatibility of cell-stretching devices (CSDs) with live-cell imaging as well as their limitations and on the research advancements that could arise from live-cell imaging performed during cell stretching.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iordania Constantinou
- Institute of Microtechnology (IMT), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Alte Salzdahlumer Str. 203, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-Liszt-Str. 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Effie E Bastounis
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine (IMIT), Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" EXC 2124, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bastounis E, Buttery S. Publishing protocols as a new PI. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102173. [PMID: 37200195 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Effie Bastounis recently started a lab at the University of Tübingen that studies how physical forces guide the interactions of host cells with bacterial pathogens. Former STAR Protocols Lead editor Shawnna Buttery discussed with Effie her experience publishing research at Cell Press journals and how that led to her publishing in STAR Protocols. Effie also shared her thoughts on the usefulness of protocols journals and the importance of protocols to a new PI. For more information on the protocols related to this backstory, please refer to Muenkel et al.1 and Bastounis et al.2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Effie Bastounis
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine (IMIT), Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" EXC 2124, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Muenkel M, Aparicio-Yuste R, Tal MC, Kraiczy P, Bastounis EE. Spatiotemporal characterization of endothelial cell motility and physical forces during exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101832. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
|
8
|
Odendall C, Sa Pessoa J, Mesquita FS. Meeting report - Cell dynamics: host-pathogen interface. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:276364. [PMID: 35979931 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Two years into the most significant infectious disease event of our generation, infections have populated every conversation and in-depth understanding of host-pathogen interactions has, perhaps, never been more important. In a successful return to in-person conferences, the host-pathogen interface was the focus of the third Cell Dynamics meeting, which took place at the glorious Wotton House in Surrey, UK. The meeting organised by Michaela Gack, Maximiliano Gutierrez, Dominique Soldati-Favre and Michael Way gathered an international group of scientists who shared their recent discoveries and views on numerous aspects, including cell-autonomous defence mechanisms, pathogen interactions with host cytoskeletal or membrane dynamics, and cellular immune regulation. More than 30 years into the beginning of cellular microbiology as a field, the meeting exhibited the unique aspect of the host-pathogen interface in uncovering the fundamentals of both pathogens and their hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Odendall
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Joana Sa Pessoa
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 7BL Belfast, UK
| | - Francisco S Mesquita
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|