1
|
Asad M, Hassan A, Wang W, Alonazi WB, Khan MS, Ogunyemi SO, Ibrahim M, Bin L. An integrated in silico approach for the identification of novel potential drug target and chimeric vaccine against Neisseria meningitides strain 331401 serogroup X by subtractive genomics and reverse vaccinology. Comput Biol Med 2024; 178:108738. [PMID: 38870724 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108738] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis, commonly known as the meningococcus, leads to substantial illness and death among children and young adults globally, revealing as either epidemic or sporadic meningitis and/or septicemia. In this study, we have designed a novel peptide-based chimeric vaccine candidate against the N. meningitidis strain 331,401 serogroup X. Through rigorous analysis of subtractive genomics, two essential cytoplasmic proteins, namely UPI000012E8E0(UDP-3-O-acyl-GlcNAc deacetylase) and UPI0000ECF4A9(UDP-N-acetylglucosamine acyltransferase) emerged as potential drug targets. Additionally, using reverse vaccinology, the outer membrane protein UPI0001F4D537 (Membrane fusion protein MtrC) identified by subcellular localization and recognized for its known indispensable role in bacterial survival was identified as a novel chimeric vaccine target. Following a careful comparison of MHC-I, MHC-II, T-cell, and B-cell epitopes, three epitopes derived from UPI0001F4D537 were linked with three types of linkers-GGGS, EAAAK, and the essential PADRE-for vaccine construction. This resulted in eight distinct vaccine models (V1-V8). Among them V1 model was selected as the final vaccine construct. It exhibits exceptional immunogenicity, safety, and enhanced antigenicity, with 97.7 % of its residues in the Ramachandran plot's most favored region. Subsequently, the vaccine structure was docked with the TLR4/MD2 complex and six different HLA allele receptors using the HADDOCK server. The docking resulted in the lowest HADDOCK score of 39.3 ± 9.0 for TLR/MD2. Immune stimulation showed a strong immune response, including antibodies creation and the activation of B-cells, T Cytotoxic cells, T Helper cells, Natural Killer cells, and interleukins. Furthermore, the vaccine construct was successfully expressed in the Escherichia coli system by reverse transcription, optimization, and ligation in the pET-28a (+) vector for the expression study. The current study proposes V1 construct has the potential to elicit both cellular and humoral responses, crucial for the developing an epitope-based vaccine against N. meningitidis strain 331,401 serogroup X.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan
| | - Ahmad Hassan
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan
| | - Weiyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wadi B Alonazi
- Health Administration Department, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Solabomi Olaitan Ogunyemi
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Muhammad Ibrahim
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan.
| | - Li Bin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sotheran E, Lane CR, Horan K, Stevens K, Guglielmino C, Bradbury S, Kennedy K, Cooley L, McEwan B, Kahler CM, Mowlaboccus S, Speers DJ, Baird R, Freeman K, Leong L, Warner M, Williamson DA, McVernon J, Lahra M, Jennison AV, Howden BP, Andersson P. Genomic Surveillance of Invasive Meningococcal Disease During a National MenW Outbreak in Australia, 2017-2018. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae249. [PMID: 38854393 PMCID: PMC11161896 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In Australia, invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) incidence rapidly increased between 2014 and 2017 due to rising serogroup W (MenW) and MenY infections. We aimed to better understand the genetic diversity of IMD during 2017 and 2018 using whole genome sequencing data. Methods Whole genome sequencing data from 440 Australian IMD isolates collected during 2017 and 2018 and 1737 international MenW:CC11 isolates collected in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and South America between 1974 and 2020 were used in phylogenetic analyses; genetic relatedness was determined from single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Results Australian isolates were as follows: 181 MenW (41%), 144 MenB (33%), 88 MenY (20%), 16 MenC (4%), 1 MenW/Y (0.2%), and 10 nongenogroupable (2%). Eighteen clonal complexes (CCs) were identified, and 3 (CC11, CC23, CC41/44) accounted for 78% of isolates (343/440). These CCs were associated with specific serogroups: CC11 (n = 199) predominated among MenW (n = 181) and MenC (n = 15), CC23 (n = 80) among MenY (n = 78), and CC41/44 (n = 64) among MenB (n = 64). MenB isolates were highly diverse, MenY were intermediately diverse, and MenW and MenC isolates demonstrated the least genetic diversity. Thirty serogroup and CC-specific genomic clusters were identified. International CC11 comparison revealed diversification of MenW in Australia. Conclusions Whole genome sequencing comprehensively characterized Australian IMD isolates, indexed their genetic variability, provided increased within-CC resolution, and elucidated the evolution of CC11 in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Sotheran
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Courtney R Lane
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kristy Horan
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kerrie Stevens
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christine Guglielmino
- Public Health Microbiology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Susan Bradbury
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canberra Health Services, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, Australia
| | - Karina Kennedy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canberra Health Services, Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, Australia
| | - Louise Cooley
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Belinda McEwan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Charlene M Kahler
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Shakeel Mowlaboccus
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - David J Speers
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Robert Baird
- Royal Darwin Hospital Pathology, Darwin, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Deborah A Williamson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jodie McVernon
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Monica Lahra
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Microbiology Randwick, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy V Jennison
- Public Health Microbiology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Benjamin P Howden
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Pathogen Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patiyan Andersson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Impact of COVID-19 Containment Strategies and Meningococcal Conjugate ACWY Vaccination on Meningococcal Carriage in Adolescents. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2022; 41:e468-e474. [PMID: 35895880 PMCID: PMC9555590 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine if COVID-19 containment strategies were associated with reduced pharyngeal carriage of meningococci in adolescents. Also, to observe if carriage prevalence of meningococcal A, C, W and Y differed in meningococcal conjugate ACWY vaccinated and unvaccinated adolescents. DESIGN Repeat cross-sectional study of pharyngeal carriage. SETTING In 2020, recruitment commenced from February to March (pre-COVID-19) and recommenced from August to September (during COVID-19 measures) in South Australia. PARTICIPANTS Eligible participants were between 17 and 25 years of age and completed secondary school in South Australia in 2019. RESULTS A total of 1338 school leavers were enrolled in 2020, with a mean age of 18.6 years (standard deviation 0.6). Pharyngeal carriage of disease-associated meningococci was higher during the COVID-19 period compared with the pre-COVID-19 period (41/600 [6.83%] vs. 27/738 [3.66%]; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.03; 95% CI: 1.22-3.39; P = 0.01). Nongroupable carriage decreased during COVID period (1.67% vs. 3.79%; aOR, 0.45; 95% CI: 0.22-0.95). Pharyngeal carriage of groups A, C, W and Y was similar among school leavers vaccinated with meningococcal conjugate ACWY (7/257 [2.72%]) compared with those unvaccinated (29/1081 [2.68%]; aOR, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.37-2.02; P = 0.73). Clonal complex 41/44 predominated in both periods. CONCLUSIONS Meningococcal carriage prevalence was not impacted by public health strategies to reduce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission and is unlikely to be the mechanism for lower meningococcal disease incidence. As international travel resumes and influenza recirculates, clinicians must remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease. Vaccinating people at the highest risk of invasive meningococcal disease remains crucial despite containment strategies.
Collapse
|
4
|
Genetic Features of a Representative Panel of 110 Meningococcal B Isolates to Assess the Efficacy of Meningococcal B Vaccines. mSphere 2022; 7:e0038522. [PMID: 36129279 PMCID: PMC9599336 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00385-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Predictions of vaccine efficacy against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) disease are hindered by antigenic variability, limiting the representativeness of individual NmB isolates. A qualitative human serum bactericidal assay using endogenous complements of individual subjects (enc-hSBA) enables large panels of NmB isolates to be tested. A 110-isolate panel was randomly selected from 442 invasive NmB isolates from United States cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from 2000 to 2008. Typing analyses confirmed the 110-isolate panel is representative of the 442 isolates. The genetic features of the 110-isolate panel were compared against over 4,200 invasive NmB isolates collected from 2000 to 2018 in the United States, Australia, Canada, and nine European countries. Clonal complexes in the 110-isolate panel are also present in each geographical region; cumulative percentages show that these account for around 81% of the clonal complexes found in NmB isolates in other panels. For the antigens (fHbp, NHBA, PorA1.4, NadA) included in the currently licensed meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines, specifically considering the presence of at least one antigen with a matched genotype, the 110-isolate panel represents approximately 89% of the NmB isolates circulating worldwide, ranging from 87% for the European isolates to 95% and 97% for NmB isolates in the United States and Australia, respectively. The 110-isolate panel includes the most prevalent clonal complexes and genetic variants of MenB vaccine antigens found in a multinational collection of invasive NmB isolates. This panel is useful for assessing the efficacy of MenB vaccines in clinical trials worldwide. IMPORTANCENeisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) is a major cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Predicting the effectiveness of vaccines against NmB is difficult because NmB is an uncommon disease and because antigens targeted by meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines have highly variable genetic features and expression levels. Therefore, a large number of NmB isolates from different regions would need to be tested to comprehensively assess vaccine effectiveness. We examined a panel of 110 isolates obtained from NmB IMD cases in the United States and compared the genetic features of this panel with those of panels from different countries around the world. We found the 110-isolate panel included the most common clonal complexes and genetic variants of MenB vaccine antigens that exist in the global collections of invasive NmB isolates. This confirms the value of the NmB 110-isolate panel in understanding the effectiveness of MenB vaccines in clinical trials worldwide.
Collapse
|
5
|
Vaccinating Front-Line Healthcare Workers: Results of a Pre-Pandemic Cross-Sectional Study from North-Eastern Italy on First Responders. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091492. [PMID: 36146570 PMCID: PMC9503083 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
First responders are front-line healthcare workers who are potentially exposed to different infectious agents. Characterizing their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards immunization, therefore, has the potential to significantly improve occupational health and safety. A cross-sectional study was performed in October 2018 using a sample of 161 first responders from the Parma Province (mean age 45.1 ± 14.1 years; seniority 10.8 ± 8.6 years). The participants were questioned on three recommended vaccinations (i.e., the seasonal influenza, measles, and pertussis vaccines) and on meningococcal vaccines (not officially recommended for first responders). The participant’s knowledge status and risk perception were assessed as percentage values through a specifically designed questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for factors associated with vaccination status were calculated by means of a binary logistic regression analysis. The internal consistency result, calculated using a general knowledge test, was good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.894), but the corresponding score was unsatisfying (46.5% ± 32.4), evidencing uncertainties surrounding the recommendations for measles and meningococcal vaccines (39.1% and 34.2% incorrect answers, respectively). While the large majority of respondents were favorable towards the meningococcal (89.4%), measles (87.5%), and pertussis vaccines (83.0%), 55.3% exhibited a favorable attitude toward the seasonal influenza vaccine, the uptake of which in 2018, was reported by 28.0% of respondents, compared to the self-reported lifetime status for meningitis (26.1%), measles (42.2%), and pertussis (34.8%). Not coincidentally, all assessed infections were associated with a low-risk perception score, particularly influenza (33.9% ± 18.4). Interestingly enough, neither knowledge status nor risk perception were associated with vaccination rates. More precisely, the main predictor for being vaccinated against seasonal influenza in 2018 was a seniority of ≥10 years (aOR 3.26, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.35–7.91), while both pertussis and measles were positively associated with higher educational achievement (aOR 3.27, 95%CI 1.29–8.30; and aOR 2.69, 95%CI 1.09–6.65, respectively). The reasons for vaccination gaps among the sampled first responders, apparently, did not find their roots in inappropriate knowledge status and risk perception alone. However, the very low rates of sampled immunization lead us to recommend stronger and more appropriate information campaigns.
Collapse
|
6
|
Neri A, Palmieri A, Prignano G, Giuliani M, Latini A, Fazio C, Vacca P, Ambrosio L, Ciammaruconi A, Fillo S, Anselmo A, Fortunato A, Lista R, Stefanelli P. Molecular characterisation and antibiotic susceptibility of meningococcal isolates from healthy men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect 2021; 98:420-426. [PMID: 34789510 PMCID: PMC9411889 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-055173] [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: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate and characterise meningococcal carriage among healthy men who have sex with men (MSM) within a screening programme for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Italy. METHODS A total of 441 MSM attending the STI/HIV Centre of the San Gallicano Institute, Rome, Italy, in 2016 were routinely screened for N. gonorrhoeae infection by pharyngeal and rectal swabs. N. meningitidis isolates were evaluated for antibiotic susceptibility and characterised by whole genome sequencing. Genetic relationships among the meningococcal carriage isolates were determined using core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis. The soluble domain of AniA (sAniA) protein expression by western blotting was also evaluated. RESULTS A total of 62 (14.1%, 95% CI 11.1 to 17.6) carriage meningococci were found among 441 MSM. Forty-three viable N. meningitidis isolates were cultivated (42 from pharyngeal and 1 from rectal swabs). All the viable isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin. Four isolates were penicillin G-resistant and 73% of those penicillin G-susceptible showed a minimum inhibitory concentration from 0.064 μg/mL to 0.25 μg/mL. Serogroup B was the most frequent (44.2%), followed by Z (16.3%), E (9.3%), and Y and W (2.3%), respectively. Multilocus sequence typing analysis identified 29 sequence types belonging to 12 clonal complexes. The sAniA protein was expressed in 8 out of 28 (29%) screened meningococcal carriage isolates. CONCLUSIONS Serogroup B meningococcal carriage identified from oral and anal specimens among healthy MSM was the most frequent serogroup identified in this study. Molecular evaluation revealed a degree of similarity among strains belonging to the same clonal complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Neri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Annapina Palmieri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Grazia Prignano
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology Unit, IRCC San Gallicano Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Giuliani
- STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Latini
- STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano, Roma, Italy
| | - Cecilia Fazio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Luigina Ambrosio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciammaruconi
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Centro Studi e Ricerche di Sanita' e Veterinaria dell' Esercito, Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Fillo
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Centro Studi e Ricerche di Sanita' e Veterinaria dell' Esercito, Roma, Italy
| | - Anna Anselmo
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Centro Studi e Ricerche di Sanita' e Veterinaria dell' Esercito, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonella Fortunato
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Centro Studi e Ricerche di Sanita' e Veterinaria dell' Esercito, Roma, Italy
| | - Romano Lista
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Centro Studi e Ricerche di Sanita' e Veterinaria dell' Esercito, Roma, Italy
| | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
McMillan M, Marshall HS, Richmond P. 4CMenB vaccine and its role in preventing transmission and inducing herd immunity. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 21:103-114. [PMID: 34747302 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2003708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Vaccination is the most effective method of protecting people from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Of all the capsular groups, B is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease in many parts of the world. Despite this, adolescent meningococcal B vaccine programs have not been implemented globally, partly due to the lack of evidence for herd immunity afforded by meningococcal B vaccines. AREAS COVERED This review aims to synthesise the available evidence on recombinant 4CMenB vaccines' ability to reduce pharyngeal carriage and therefore provide indirect (herd) immunity against IMD. EXPERT OPINION There is some evidence that the 4CMenB vaccine may induce cross-protection against non-B carriage of meningococci. However, the overall body of evidence does not support a clinically significant reduction in carriage of disease-associated or group B meningococci following 4CMenB vaccination. No additional cost-benefit from herd immunity effects should be included when modelling the cost-effectiveness of 4CMenB vaccine programs against group B IMD. 4CMenB immunisation programs should focus on direct (individual) protection for groups at greatest risk of meningococcal disease. Future meningococcal B and combination vaccines being developed should consider the impact of the vaccine on carriage as part of their clinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark McMillan
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Helen S Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Richmond
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Department of General Paediatrics and Immunology, Perth Children's Hospital.,Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kid's Institute, Perth, Western Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Genome-wide methylome analysis of two strains belonging to the hypervirulent Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W ST-11 clonal complex. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6239. [PMID: 33737546 PMCID: PMC7973814 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85266-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A rising incidence of meningococcal serogroup W disease has been evident in many countries worldwide. Serogroup W isolates belonging to the sequence type (ST)-11 clonal complex have been associated with atypical symptoms and increased case fatality rates. The continued expansion of this clonal complex in the later part of the 2010s has been largely due to a shift from the so-called original UK strain to the 2013 strain. Here we used single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing to determine the methylomes of the two major serogroup W strains belonging to ST-11 clonal complex. Five methylated motifs were identified in this study, and three of the motifs, namely 5'-GATC-3', 5'-GAAGG-3', 5'-GCGCGC-3', were found in all 13 isolates investigated. The results showed no strain-specific motifs or difference in active restriction modification systems between the two strains. Two phase variable methylases were identified and the enrichment or depletion of the methylation motifs generated by these methylases varied between the two strains. Results from this work give further insight into the low diversity of methylomes in highly related strains and encourage further research to decipher the role of regions with under- or overrepresented methylation motifs.
Collapse
|
9
|
Barnier JP, Euphrasie D, Join-Lambert O, Audry M, Schonherr-Hellec S, Schmitt T, Bourdoulous S, Coureuil M, Nassif X, El Behi M. Type IV pilus retraction enables sustained bacteremia and plays a key role in the outcome of meningococcal sepsis in a humanized mouse model. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009299. [PMID: 33592056 PMCID: PMC7909687 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) remains a major cause of bacterial meningitis and fatal sepsis. This commensal bacterium of the human nasopharynx can cause invasive diseases when it leaves its niche and reaches the bloodstream. Blood-borne meningococci have the ability to adhere to human endothelial cells and rapidly colonize microvessels. This crucial step enables dissemination into tissues and promotes deregulated inflammation and coagulation, leading to extensive necrotic purpura in the most severe cases. Adhesion to blood vessels relies on type IV pili (TFP). These long filamentous structures are highly dynamic as they can rapidly elongate and retract by the antagonistic action of two ATPases, PilF and PilT. However, the consequences of TFP dynamics on the pathophysiology and the outcome of meningococcal sepsis in vivo have been poorly studied. Here, we show that human graft microvessels are replicative niches for meningococci, that seed the bloodstream and promote sustained bacteremia and lethality in a humanized mouse model. Intriguingly, although pilus-retraction deficient N. meningitidis strain (ΔpilT) efficiently colonizes human graft tissue, this mutant did not promote sustained bacteremia nor induce mouse lethality. This effect was not due to a decreased inflammatory response, nor defects in bacterial clearance by the innate immune system. Rather, TFP-retraction was necessary to promote the release of TFP-dependent contacts between bacteria and, in turn, the detachment from colonized microvessels. The resulting sustained bacteremia was directly correlated with lethality. Altogether, these results demonstrate that pilus retraction plays a key role in the occurrence and outcome of meningococcal sepsis by supporting sustained bacteremia. These findings open new perspectives on the role of circulating bacteria in the pathological alterations leading to lethal sepsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Barnier
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
- Service de microbiologie, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris. Centre–Université de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Daniel Euphrasie
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Join-Lambert
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
- Service de microbiologie, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris. Centre–Université de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Audry
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
| | - Sophia Schonherr-Hellec
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
| | - Taliah Schmitt
- Service de chirurgie reconstructrice et plastique, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Bourdoulous
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Coureuil
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Nassif
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
- Service de microbiologie, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris. Centre–Université de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Mohamed El Behi
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Institut Necker Enfants-Malades, Inserm U1151, CNRS UMR 8253, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
MacLennan JM, Rodrigues CMC, Bratcher HB, Lekshmi A, Finn A, Oliver J, Wootton M, Ray S, Cameron C, Smith A, Heath PT, Bartolf A, Nolan T, Hughes S, Varghese A, Snape MD, Sewell R, Cunningham R, Stolton A, Kay C, Palmer K, Baxter D, Suggitt D, Zipitis CS, Pemberton N, Jolley KA, Bray JE, Harrison OB, Ladhani SN, Pollard AJ, Borrow R, Gray SJ, Trotter C, Maiden MCJ. Meningococcal carriage in periods of high and low invasive meningococcal disease incidence in the UK: comparison of UKMenCar1-4 cross-sectional survey results. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 21:677-687. [PMID: 33482143 PMCID: PMC8064914 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30842-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Background The incidence of invasive meningococcal disease in the UK decreased by approximately four times from 1999 to 2014, with reductions in serogroup C and serogroup B disease. Lower serogroup C invasive meningococcal disease incidence was attributable to implementation of the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine in 1999, through direct and indirect protection, but no vaccine was implemented against serogroup B disease. UK Meningococcal Carriage surveys 1–3 (UKMenCar1–3), conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001, were essential for understanding the impact of vaccination. To investigate the decline in invasive meningococcal disease incidence, we did a large oropharyngeal carriage survey in 2014–15, immediately before the changes to meningococcal vaccines in the UK national immunisation schedule. Methods UKMenCar4 was a cross-sectional survey in adolescents aged 15–19 years who were enrolled from schools and colleges geographically local to one of 11 UK sampling centres between Sept 1, 2014, and March 30, 2015. Participants provided an oropharyngeal swab sample and completed a questionnaire on risk factors for carriage, including social behaviours. Samples were cultured for putative Neisseria spp, which were characterised with serogrouping and whole-genome sequencing. Data from this study were compared with the results from the UKMenCar1–3 surveys (1999–2001). Findings From the 19 641 participants (11 332 female, 8242 male, 67 not stated) in UKMenCar4 with culturable swabs and completed risk-factor questionnaires, 1420 meningococci were isolated, with a carriage prevalence of 7·23% (95% CI 6·88–7·60). Carriage prevalence was substantially lower in UKMenCar4 than in the previous surveys: carriage prevalence was 16·6% (95% CI 15·89–17·22; 2306/13 901) in UKMenCar1 (1999), 17·6% (17·05–18·22; 2873/16 295) in UKMenCar2 (2000), and 18·7% (18·12–19·27; 3283/17 569) in UKMenCar3 (2001). Carriage prevalence was lower for all serogroups in UKMenCar4 than in UKMenCar1–3, except for serogroup Y, which was unchanged. The prevalence of carriage-promoting social behaviours decreased from 1999 to 2014–15, with individuals reporting regular cigarette smoking decreasing from 2932 (21·5%) of 13 650 to 2202 (11·2%) of 19 641, kissing in the past week from 6127 (44·8%) of 13 679 to 7320 (37·3%) of 19 641, and attendance at pubs and nightclubs in the past week from 8436 (62·1%) of 13 594 to 7662 (39·0%) of 19 641 (all p<0·0001). Interpretation We show that meningococcal carriage prevalence in adolescents sampled nationally during a low incidence period (2014–15) was less than half of that in an equivalent population during a high incidence period (1999–2001). Disease and carriage caused by serogroup C was well controlled by ongoing vaccination. The prevalence of behaviours associated with carriage declined, suggesting that public health policies aimed at influencing behaviour might have further reduced disease. Funding Wellcome Trust, UK Department of Health, and National Institute for Health Research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny M MacLennan
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Charlene M C Rodrigues
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Holly B Bratcher
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aiswarya Lekshmi
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Public Health Laboratory, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Adam Finn
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jenny Oliver
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Mandy Wootton
- Division of Public Health Wales, Temple of Peace and Health, Cardiff, UK
| | - Samantha Ray
- Division of Public Health Wales, Temple of Peace and Health, Cardiff, UK
| | - Claire Cameron
- NHS National Services Scotland, Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew Smith
- Glasgow Dental School, University of Glasgow, UK; Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul T Heath
- St George's Vaccine Institute, Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Angela Bartolf
- St George's Vaccine Institute, Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Tracey Nolan
- Research and Development Department, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Maidstone, Kent, UK
| | - Stephen Hughes
- Central Manchester University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Anu Varghese
- Central Manchester University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew D Snape
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford and the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Sewell
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford and the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Cunningham
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alison Stolton
- Microbiology Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, UK
| | - Carole Kay
- Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, Lancashire, UK
| | - Karen Palmer
- Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, Lancashire, UK
| | - David Baxter
- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK
| | - Debbie Suggitt
- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK
| | - Christos S Zipitis
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Paediatrics, Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Wigan, UK
| | - Nicola Pemberton
- Clinical Trials Department, Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Wigan, UK
| | - Keith A Jolley
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - James E Bray
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Odile B Harrison
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of London, London, UK; Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford and the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Raymond Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Public Health Laboratory, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen J Gray
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Public Health Laboratory, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Caroline Trotter
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Models in parasite and pathogen evolution: Genomic analysis reveals predominant clonality and progressive evolution at all evolutionary scales in parasitic protozoa, yeasts and bacteria. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 111:75-117. [PMID: 33482977 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The predominant clonal evolution (PCE) model of pathogenic microorganisms postulates that the impact of genetic recombination in those pathogens' natural populations is not enough to erase a persistent phylogenetic signal at all evolutionary scales from microevolution till geological times in the whole ecogeographical range of the species considered. We have tested this model with a set of representative parasitic protozoa, yeasts and bacteria in the light of the most recent genomic data. All surveyed species, including those that were considered as highly recombining, exhibit similar PCE patterns above and under the species level, from macro- to micro-evolutionary scales (Russian doll pattern), suggesting gradual evolution. To our knowledge, it is the first time that such a strong common evolutionary feature among very diverse pathogens has been evidenced. The implications of this model for basic biology and applied research are exposed. These implications include our knowledge on the pathogens' reproductive mode, their population structure, the possibility to type strain and to follow up epidemics (molecular epidemiology) and to revisit pathogens' taxonomy through a flexible use of the phylogenetic species concept (Cracraft, 1983).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Tibayrenc
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-UM1-UM2), Institut de recherche pour le développement, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - Francisco J Ayala
- Catedra Francisco Jose Ayala of Science, Technology, and Religion, University of Comillas, Madrid, Spain; 2 Locke Court, Irvine, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Levy M, Aouiti Trabelsi M, Taha MK. Evidence for Multi-Organ Infection During Experimental Meningococcal Sepsis due to ST-11 Isolates in Human Transferrin-Transgenic Mice. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101456. [PMID: 32977487 PMCID: PMC7598264 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The description of invasive meningococcal disease that is provoked by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is frequently restricted to meningitis. However, a wide panel of clinical presentations can be encountered including severe forms with intense inflammatory reaction leading to multi-organ failure. Several human factors are involved in the development of invasive infections such as transferrin, factor H or CEACAM1. In this study, we used an experimental meningococcal infection in transgenic mice expressing the human transferrin to show multi-organ infection. Mice were infected by an intraperitoneal injection of bacterial suspension (1.5 × 107 colony-forming unit/mouse) of a bioluminescent serogroup C strain belonging to the clonal complex ST-11. Dynamic imaging and histological analysis were performed. The results showed invasion of tissues by Nm with bacteria observed, outside blood vessels, in the kidneys, the heart and the brain as well as skin involvement. These data further support the systemic aspect of invasive meningococcal disease with involvement of several organs including skin as in humans. Thus, our model can be used to study severe forms of meningococcal invasive infections with multi-organ failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Levy
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infection Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris, France; (M.A.T.); (M.-K.T.)
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, 75019 Paris, France
- Université de Paris, 75019 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Myriam Aouiti Trabelsi
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infection Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris, France; (M.A.T.); (M.-K.T.)
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infection Unit, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris, France; (M.A.T.); (M.-K.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Willerton L, Lucidarme J, Campbell H, Caugant DA, Claus H, Jacobsson S, Ladhani SN, Mölling P, Neri A, Stefanelli P, Taha MK, Vogel U, Borrow R. Geographically widespread invasive meningococcal disease caused by a ciprofloxacin resistant non-groupable strain of the ST-175 clonal complex. J Infect 2020; 81:575-584. [PMID: 32858070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by non-serogroupable (NG) strains mainly affects immunocompromised individuals. Reduced susceptibility to penicillin in meningococci is increasing in Europe but ciprofloxacin resistance remains rare. In 2019, three travel-related meningococcal disease cases caused by a ciprofloxacin-resistant NG strain were identified in England, leading Germany to report four additional IMD cases (2016 to 2019). We describe these and newly identified cases and characterise the strain responsible. METHODS Cases were identified as part of national surveillance and by analysing available genomes using PubMLST tools. RESULTS Of the cases identified in England in 2019, two geographically distinct cases developed conjunctivitis after returning from Mecca (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and a third linked case presented with IMD. Of the four cases from Germany, three occurred in asylum seekers - two familial and a further geographically distinct case. Further IMD cases were identified in Italy (n = 2; 2017-2018), Sweden (n = 1; 2016) and England (n = 1; 2015). A single ST-175 clonal complex (cc175) strain with genosubtype P1.22-11,15-25 was responsible. Decreased susceptibility to penicillin was widespread with three ciprofloxacin resistant subclusters. Constituent isolates were potentially covered by subcapsular vaccines. CONCLUSION This disease associated NG cc175 strain exhibits resistance to antibiotics commonly used to prevent IMD but is potentially covered by subcapsular (meningococcal B) vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Willerton
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jay Lucidarme
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester, UK
| | - Helen Campbell
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Dominique A Caugant
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heike Claus
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Jacobsson
- National Reference Laboratory for Neisseria meningitidis, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, UK; Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paula Mölling
- National Reference Laboratory for Neisseria meningitidis, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Arianna Neri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit and WHO collaborating Centre for meningitis, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Ulrich Vogel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Avni E, Snir S. A New Phylogenomic Approach For Quantifying Horizontal Gene Transfer Trends in Prokaryotes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12425. [PMID: 32709941 PMCID: PMC7381616 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62446-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established nowadays that among prokaryotes, various families of orthologous genes exhibit conflicting evolutionary history. A prime factor for this conflict is horizontal gene transfer (HGT) - the transfer of genetic material not via vertical descent. Thus, the prevalence of HGT is challenging the meaningfulness of the classical Tree of Life concept. Here we present a comprehensive study of HGT representing the entire prokaryotic world. We mainly rely on a novel analytic approach for analyzing an aggregate of gene histories, by means of the quartet plurality distribution (QPD) that we develop. Through the analysis of real and simulated data, QPD is used to reveal evidence of a barrier against HGT, separating the archaea from the bacteria and making HGT between the two domains, in general, quite rare. In contrast, bacteria's confined HGT is substantially more frequent than archaea's. Our approach also reveals that despite intensive HGT, a strong tree-like signal can be extracted, corroborating several previous works. Thus, QPD, which enables one to analytically combine information from an aggregate of gene trees, can be used for understanding patterns and rates of HGT in prokaryotes, as well as for validating or refuting models of horizontal genetic transfers and evolution in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliran Avni
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel.
| | - Sagi Snir
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ferreira VM, Ferreira ÍE, Chang HY, Nunes AMPB, Topaz N, Pimentel ER, Moura ARSS, Ribeiro GS, Feitosa CA, Reis MG, Wang X, Campos LC. Meningococcal carriage in young adults six years after meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine catch-up campaign in Salvador, Brazil. Vaccine 2020; 38:2995-3002. [PMID: 32115294 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.050] [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: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal carriage studies are important to improve the knowledge of disease epidemiology as well as to support appropriate vaccination strategies. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and genotypic characteristics of meningococci collected from young adults in Salvador, Brazil six years after a meningococcal C conjugate vaccine catch-up campaign. From August through November 2016, oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 407 students aged 1824 years attending a private college in Salvador, Brazil. Neisseria meningitidis was identified by standard microbiology methods and real time PCR. Genetic characteristics of meningococci were assessed by rt-PCR and/or whole genome sequencing. We also investigated potential factors associated with carriage. N. meningitidis was detectable in 50 students, 39 by both culture and rt-PCR, 7 by culture alone and 4 by rt-PCR alone, resulting in an overall meningococcal carriage prevalence of 12.3% (50/407). Carriage was independently associated with male sex (adjusted PR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.12-3.46; p = 0.018) and attending bars or parties at least once per month (aPR: 3.31; 95% CI: 1.49-7.38; p = 0.003). Molecular tests identified 92% (46/50) N. meningitidis as non-groupable, of which 63% (29/46) had the capsule null genotype; 14 NG isolates contained disrupted capsule backbones and belonged to the following genogroups: 7 B, 3 Z, 3 E and 1 W. One isolate belonged to genogroup C tested only by PCR; 3 isolates contained a complete B capsule backbones, 2 of which were determined to be NG by slide agglutination serogrouping. While most meningococcal carriage isolates were non-groupable, there was a high degree of genetic diversity present in the collection, as evidenced by 25 unique STs being detected. The carriage prevalence of meningococcal serogroup C was low among young adults. Continuous vaccination is important to maintain reduced meningococcal carriage and transmission, inducing herd protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Matos Ferreira
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - How-Yi Chang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Nadav Topaz
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Guilherme Sousa Ribeiro
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Mitermayer Galvão Reis
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bratcher HB, Rodrigues CMC, Finn A, Wootton M, Cameron JC, Smith A, Heath P, Ladhani S, Snape MD, Pollard AJ, Cunningham R, Borrow R, Trotter C, Gray SJ, Maiden MCJ, MacLennan JM. UKMenCar4: A cross-sectional survey of asymptomatic meningococcal carriage amongst UK adolescents at a period of low invasive meningococcal disease incidence. Wellcome Open Res 2019; 4:118. [PMID: 31544158 PMCID: PMC6749934 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15362.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Carriage of
Neisseria meningitidis, the meningococcus, is a prerequisite for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a potentially devastating infection that disproportionately afflicts infants and children. Humans are the sole known reservoir for the meningococcus, and it is carried asymptomatically in the nasopharynx of ~10% of the population. Rates of carriage are dependent on age of the host and social and behavioural factors. In the UK, meningococcal carriage has been studied through large, multi-centre carriage surveys of adolescents in 1999, 2000, and 2001, demonstrating carriage can be affected by immunisation with the capsular group C meningococcal conjugate vaccine, inducing population immunity against carriage. Fifteen years after these surveys were carried out, invasive meningococcal disease incidence had declined from a peak in 1999. The UKMenCar4 study was conducted in 2014/15 to investigate rates of carriage amongst the adolescent population during a period of low disease incidence. The protocols and methodology used to perform UKMenCar4, a large carriage survey, are described here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly B Bratcher
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Charlene M C Rodrigues
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Adam Finn
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8AE, UK
| | - Mandy Wootton
- Division of Public Health Wales, Cardiff, CF10 3NW, UK
| | - J Claire Cameron
- NHS National Services Scotland, Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, G2 6QE, UK
| | - Andrew Smith
- University of Glasgow Dental School, Glasgow, G2 3JZ, UK.,Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, G2 6QE, UK
| | - Paul Heath
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0QT, UK
| | - Shamez Ladhani
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0QT, UK.,Immunisation Department, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Matthew D Snape
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Richard Cunningham
- Microbiology Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, UK
| | - Raymond Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Caroline Trotter
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Stephen J Gray
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Jenny M MacLennan
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bratcher HB, Rodrigues CMC, Finn A, Wootton M, Cameron JC, Smith A, Heath P, Ladhani S, Snape MD, Pollard AJ, Cunningham R, Borrow R, Trotter C, Gray SJ, Maiden MCJ, MacLennan JM. UKMenCar4: A cross-sectional survey of asymptomatic meningococcal carriage amongst UK adolescents at a period of low invasive meningococcal disease incidence. Wellcome Open Res 2019; 4:118. [PMID: 31544158 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15362.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis, the meningococcus, is a prerequisite for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a potentially devastating infection that disproportionately afflicts infants and children. Humans are the sole known reservoir for the meningococcus, and it is carried asymptomatically in the nasopharynx of ~10% of the population. Rates of carriage are dependent on age of the host and social and behavioural factors. In the UK, meningococcal carriage has been studied through large, multi-centre carriage surveys of adolescents in 1999, 2000, and 2001, demonstrating carriage can be affected by immunisation with the capsular group C meningococcal conjugate vaccine, inducing population immunity against carriage. Fifteen years after these surveys were carried out, invasive meningococcal disease incidence had declined from a peak in 1999. The UKMenCar4 study was conducted in 2014/15 to investigate rates of carriage amongst the adolescent population during a period of low disease incidence. The protocols and methodology used to perform UKMenCar4, a large carriage survey, are described here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly B Bratcher
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Charlene M C Rodrigues
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Adam Finn
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8AE, UK
| | - Mandy Wootton
- Division of Public Health Wales, Cardiff, CF10 3NW, UK
| | - J Claire Cameron
- NHS National Services Scotland, Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, G2 6QE, UK
| | - Andrew Smith
- University of Glasgow Dental School, Glasgow, G2 3JZ, UK.,Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, G2 6QE, UK
| | - Paul Heath
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0QT, UK
| | - Shamez Ladhani
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0QT, UK.,Immunisation Department, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Matthew D Snape
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Richard Cunningham
- Microbiology Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, UK
| | - Raymond Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Caroline Trotter
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Stephen J Gray
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Jenny M MacLennan
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ambrosio L, Neri A, Fazio C, Rossolini GM, Vacca P, Riccobono E, Voller F, Miglietta A, Stefanelli P. Genomic analysis of Neisseria meningitidis carriage isolates during an outbreak of serogroup C clonal complex 11, Tuscany, Italy. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217500. [PMID: 31136624 PMCID: PMC6538176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2015–2016, a cross-sectional carriage survey was performed in Tuscany Region, Italy, during an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C clonal complex 11 (MenC:cc11). This study aims to evaluate the genomic profile of meningococcal carriage isolates collected during the survey. Methods Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using Illumina MiSeq on 85 cultivated meningococcal carriage isolates received at the Dept. of Infectious Disease, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), as National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD). De novo assembled genomes were scanned by the BIGSdb platform to assign: the genotypic profiles, the cgMLST, the vaccine antigen variants and allele types of antimicrobial resistance associated genes, together with denitrification pathway loci. Results Capsule null and non-groupable meningococci accounted for 52.9% and 10.6%, respectively. Among the remaining carriage isolates, serogroup B was the predominant (71.0%). Serogroup C meningococci were culture negative and unavailable for WGS. Overall, 64 genotypic profiles were identified and, based on cgMLST, isolates clustered according to clonal complexes. Eight isolates (9.4%) harbored at least one gene encoding a 4CMenB vaccine antigen. Mutated penA alleles were found in more than 82%. Finally, complete aniA and norB coding sequences were detected among 71.8% of carriage isolates. Conclusions Meningococcal carriage isolates collected during the MenC:cc11 outbreak were characterized by an extensive genetic diversity. The lack of outbreak-related isolates among carriage might be attributable to the high transmissibility with low duration of colonization of MenC:cc11 meningococci.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigina Ambrosio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Neri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Fazio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Riccobono
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Voller
- Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Epidemiologic Observatory, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Miglietta
- Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Epidemiologic Observatory, Florence, Italy
- Units of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Central Tuscany Health Authority, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Simonis A, Schubert-Unkmeir A. The role of acid sphingomyelinase and modulation of sphingolipid metabolism in bacterial infection. Biol Chem 2019; 399:1135-1146. [PMID: 29924727 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is a key enzyme in sphingolipid metabolism that converts sphingomyelin to ceramide, thereby modulating membrane structures and signal transduction. Bacterial pathogens can manipulate ASM activity and function, and use host sphingolipids during multiple steps of their infection process. An increase in ceramides upon infection results in the formation of ceramide-enriched membrane platforms that serve to cluster receptor molecules and organize intracellular signaling molecules, thus facilitating bacterial uptake. In this review, we focus on how extracellular bacterial pathogens target ASM and modulate membrane properties and signaling pathways to gain entry into eukaryotic cells or induce cell death. We describe how intracellular pathogens interfere with the intralysosomal functions of ASM to favor replication and survival. In addition, bacteria utilize their own sphingomyelinases as virulence factors to modulate sphingolipid metabolism. The potential of ASM as a target for treating bacterial infections is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Simonis
- Division of Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Schubert-Unkmeir
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Marshall HS, McMillan M, Koehler A, Lawrence A, MacLennan J, Maiden M, Ramsay M, Ladhani SN, Trotter C, Borrow R, Finn A, Sullivan T, Richmond P, Kahler C, Whelan J, Vadivelu K. B Part of It School Leaver protocol: an observational repeat cross-sectional study to assess the impact of a meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine programme on carriage of Neisseria meningitidis. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e027233. [PMID: 31064808 PMCID: PMC6528050 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Invasive meningococcal disease is uncommon but associated with a high-case fatality rate. Carriage prevalence of the causative bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis, is high in adolescents. A large (n=34 500) cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of a meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine on meningococcal carriage was implemented in the state of South Australia (SA) for year 10, 11 and 12 senior school students in 2017-2018. This study will assess the impact of MenB vaccine (4CMenB) on carriage prevalence in school leavers in SA, 1 and 2 years after implementation of the cluster RCT in adolescents. Measuring the impact of population programmes on carriage can assist in informing future meningococcal immunisation programmes such as targeted age groups and use of catch-up campaigns. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This repeat cross-sectional study will assess carriage prevalence in 2018 and 2019. All school leavers who attended year 12 in any school in SA in 2018 or 2019 will be invited to participate in this study. An oropharyngeal swab will be taken from each participating student and a risk factor questionnaire completed by the student following informed consent. Students will attend clinics at SA universities, technical colleges, and metropolitan, rural and remote government council clinics. Confirmed vaccination history will allow a comparison in carriage prevalence between vaccinated and unvaccinated school leavers. A sample size of 4096 students per year will provide 80% power to detect a 20% difference in carriage prevalence of disease-causing meningococci (defined as genogroup A, B, C, W, X or Y) between years. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study was approved by the Women's and Children's Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in international peer review journals and presented at national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03419533; Pre-results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen S Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mark McMillan
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ann Koehler
- Communicable Disease Control Branch, SA Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Lawrence
- Microbiology Department, SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Martin Maiden
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mary Ramsay
- Immunisation Department, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Caroline Trotter
- Immunisation Department, Public Health England, London, UK
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Bristol, UK
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester, UK
| | - Adam Finn
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Thomas Sullivan
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Richmond
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlene Kahler
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jane Whelan
- GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Levy M, Deghmane AE, Aouiti-Trabelsi M, Dauger S, Faye A, Mariani-Kurkdjian P, Taha MK. Analysis of the impact of corticosteroids adjuvant treatment during experimental invasive meningococcal infection in mice. Steroids 2018; 136:32-39. [PMID: 29753775 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is usually associated with intense inflammatory response that is correlated with severe infection. Corticosteroids may regulate this inflammatory response through an early but transient induction of IL-10 that is suggested to improve the outcome of IMD. We explored the mechanism of action of corticosteroids as an adjuvant treatment to antibiotics. Transgenic mice expressing the human transferrin were infected by a hyperinvasive meningococcal strain and transcriptomic analysis were then performed in the blood for all conditions of infection and treatment. Infected untreated mice, infected antibiotic-treated mice and infected amoxicillin and dexamethasone-treated mice were compared. Treatment using both corticosteroids and antibiotics was associated with differential gene expression in the blood especially in Monocytes-Macrophages pathways. Depletion of these cells in infected mice was associated with a more severe bacterial infection and uncontrolled production of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Accordingly, children suffering from severe IMD had low counts of monocytes at admission. Our data are in favor of a role of corticosteroids in enhancing a polarization from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory phenotypes of Monocytes-Macrophages axis that may help controlling meningococcal invasive infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Levy
- Invasive Bacterial Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris, France; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ala-Eddine Deghmane
- Invasive Bacterial Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Myriam Aouiti-Trabelsi
- Invasive Bacterial Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Dauger
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Albert Faye
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Mariani-Kurkdjian
- Microbiology Unit, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Invasive Bacterial Infection Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bidmos FA, Nadel S, Screaton GR, Kroll JS, Langford PR. Cross-Reactive Bactericidal Antimeningococcal Antibodies Can Be Isolated From Convalescing Invasive Meningococcal Disease Patients Using Reverse Vaccinology 2.0. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1621. [PMID: 30061891 PMCID: PMC6055031 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The threat from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) remains a serious source of concern despite the licensure and availability of vaccines. A limitation of current serogroup B vaccines is the breadth of coverage afforded, resulting from the capacity for extensive variation of the meningococcus and its huge potential for the generation of further diversity. Thus, the continuous search for candidate antigens that will compose supplementary or replacement vaccines is mandated. Here, we describe successful efforts to utilize the reverse vaccinology 2.0 approach to identify novel functional meningococcal antigens. In this study, eight broadly cross-reactive sequence-specific antimeningococcal human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) were cloned from 4 ml of blood taken from a 7-month-old sufferer of IMD. Three of these hmAbs possessed human complement-dependent bactericidal activity against meningococcal serogroup B strains of disparate PorA and 4CMenB antigen sequence types, strongly suggesting that the target(s) of these bactericidal hmAbs are not PorA (the immunodominant meningococcal antigen), factor-H binding protein, or other components of current meningococcal vaccines. Reactivity of the bactericidal hmAbs was confirmed to a single ca. 35 kDa protein in western blots. Unequivocal identification of this antigen is currently ongoing. Collectively, our results provide proof-of-principle for the use of reverse vaccinology 2.0 as a powerful tool in the search for alternative meningococcal vaccine candidate antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fadil A Bidmos
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Nadel
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin R Screaton
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - J Simon Kroll
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R Langford
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Potts CC, Joseph SJ, Chang HY, Chen A, Vuong J, Hu F, Jenkins LT, Schmink S, Blain A, MacNeil JR, Harrison LH, Wang X. Population structure of invasive Neisseria meningitidis in the United States, 2011-15. J Infect 2018; 77:427-434. [PMID: 29964139 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) were licensed in the United States in 2005. We assessed the population structure of invasive Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) ten years after recommended use of MenACWY among adolescents. METHODS Meningococcal isolates obtained through Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) from 2000-05, 2006-10, and 2011-15 underwent whole genome or Sanger sequencing. Genome phylogenies were completed using maximum likelihood methods; and distribution of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) sequence type (ST) and clonal complex (CC), and PorA and FetA types were assessed. RESULTS Prevalent serogroups (B, C, Y and W), CCs, and PorA and FetA types were detected in all three time periods, but dynamic changes were observed. The proportion of serogroup W CC11 isolates increased in 2011-15 and were most related to South American strains. Changes in CC distribution were also observed in serogroup C and serogroup Y. Phylogenetic analysis showed that U.S. serogroup W CC11s are closely related to a subset of U.S. serogroup C isolates; combined global analysis demonstrated that some CCs, including CC11, exhibit regional clustering. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the Nm population structure has remained stable after MenACWY introduction. Dynamic changes in genotypes, unlikely related to vaccination, also occurred, highlighting the need for continued whole genome-based surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caelin C Potts
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sandeep J Joseph
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - How-Yi Chang
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexander Chen
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeni Vuong
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Fang Hu
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laurel T Jenkins
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Susanna Schmink
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amy Blain
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jessica R MacNeil
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lee H Harrison
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Emerging Invasive Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup W in Sweden. J Clin Microbiol 2018; 56:JCM.01409-17. [PMID: 29321195 PMCID: PMC5869829 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01409-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (MenW) has historically had a low incidence in Sweden, with an average incidence of 0.03 case/100,000 population from 1995 to 2014. In recent years, a significant increase in the incidence of MenW has been noted in Sweden, to an average incidence of 0.15 case/100,000 population in 2015 to 2016. In 2017 (1 January to 30 June), 33% of invasive meningococcal disease cases (7/21 cases) were caused by MenW. In the present study, all invasive MenW isolates from Sweden collected in 1995 to June 2017 (n = 86) were subjected to whole-genome sequencing to determine the population structure and to compare isolates from Sweden with historical and international cases. The increase of MenW in Sweden was determined to be due to isolates belonging to the South American sublineage of MenW clonal complex 11, namely, the novel U.K. 2013 lineage. This lineage was introduced in Sweden in 2013 and has since been the dominant lineage of MenW.
Collapse
|
25
|
Siena E, Bodini M, Medini D. Interplay Between Virulence and Variability Factors as a Potential Driver of Invasive Meningococcal Disease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2018; 16:61-69. [PMID: 29686800 PMCID: PMC5910500 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is frequently found in the upper respiratory tract of the human population. Despite its prevalence as a commensal organism, Nm can occasionally invade the pharyngeal mucosal epithelium causing septicemia and life-threatening disease. A number of studies have tried to identify factors that are responsible for the onset of a virulent phenotype. Despite this however, we still miss clear causative elements. Several factors have been identified to be associated to an increased susceptibility to meningococcal disease in humans. None of them, however, could unambiguously discriminate healthy carrier from infected individuals. Similarly, comparative studies of virulent and apathogenic strains failed to identify virulence factors that could explain the emergence of the pathogenic phenotype. In line with this, a recent study of within host evolution found that Nm accumulates genomic changes during the asymptomatic carriage phase and that these are likely to contribute to the shift to a pathogenic phenotype. These results suggest that the presence of virulence factors in the meningococcal genome is not a sufficient condition for developing virulent traits, but is rather the ability to promote phenotypic variation, through the stochastic assortment of the repertoire of such factors, which could explain the occasional and unpredictable onset of IMD. Here, we present a series of argumentations supporting the hypothesis that invasive meningococcal disease comes as a result of the coexistence of bacterial virulence and variability factors in a plot that can be further complicated by additional latent factors, like host pre-existing immune status and genetic predisposition.
Collapse
|
26
|
Meningococcal Disease. CLIN NURSE SPEC 2018; 32:15-18. [DOI: 10.1097/nur.0000000000000347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
27
|
Survival of Neisseria meningitidis outside of the host: environmental effects and differences among strains. Epidemiol Infect 2017; 145:3525-3534. [PMID: 29103405 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268817002473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a gram-negative bacterium that lives as a commensal in the human nasopharynx. Meningococci are generally non-invasive, but can invade the nasopharyngeal epithelia and enter the bloodstream causing life-threatening illnesses. It is generally thought that meningococci do not survive for long outside the host, and that transmission requires relatively close contact between hosts. There are some reports, however, that meningococci can survive drying on surfaces, including glass, plastic and cloth. Our examination of N. meningitidis strains dried on glass showed differences in survival of isolates belonging to serogroups B, C and W135, including persistence of Cuban, New Zealand, and Norwegian epidemic strains up to 8 days, depending on temperature and humidity. Survival of a New Zealand epidemic strain isolate NZ98/254 under ambient conditions in the laboratory was greatest in winter suggesting that environmental factors impacted survival. For most isolates, including NZ98/254, survival under controlled conditions at 30 °C was greater at 22% than 30% relative humidity. There were also some differences in survival between carriage and invasive strains. The results suggest that N. meningitidis could be transmitted through contact with surfaces outside the host, potentially including contact through shared drinking vessels.
Collapse
|
28
|
Mirzakhani K, Gargari SLM, Rasooli I, Rasoulinejad S. Development of a DNA Aptamer for Screening Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup B by Cell SELEX. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2017; 22:193-201. [PMID: 28941453 PMCID: PMC5889504 DOI: 10.22034/ibj.22.3.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Artificial oligonucleotides like DNA or RNA aptamers can be used as biodiagnostic alternatives for antibodies to detect pathogens. Comparing to antibodies, artificial oligonucleotides are produced easily at lower costs and are more stable. Neisseria meningitidis, the causative agent of meningitis, is responsible for about 1% of infections in an epidemic period. Specific DNA aptamers that bind to N. meningitidis serogroup B were identified by whole-cell Systemic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment (SELEX). Methods The SELEX begins with a library of labeled ssDNA molecules. After six rounds of selection and two rounds of counter-selection, 60 clones were obtained, of which the binding efficiency of 21 aptamers to the aforementioned bacterium was tested by flow cytometry. Results The aptamers K3 and K4 showed the highest affinity to N. meningitidis serogroup B and no affinity to N. meningitidis serogroups Y, A, and C, or to other meningitis causing bacteria. The dissociation constant (Kd value) for K3 and K4 were calculated as 28.3±8.9 pM and 39.1±8.6 pM, respectively. K3 aptamer with the lowest Kd was chosen as the main aptamer. K3 could detect N. meningitidis in patients’ cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and in CSF from healthy volunteers inoculated with N. meningitidis serogroup B (ATCC 13090) at 200 and 100 CFU ml-1, respectively. Conclusion The findings suggest the application of the developed aptamer in specific detection of N. meningitidis serogroup B amongst a group of meningitis causing bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Mirzakhani
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Iraj Rasooli
- Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
- Molecular Microbiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Moura ARSS, Kretz CB, Ferreira IE, Nunes AMPB, de Moraes JC, Reis MG, McBride AJA, Wang X, Campos LC. Molecular characterization of Neisseria meningitidis isolates recovered from 11-19-year-old meningococcal carriers in Salvador, Brazil. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185038. [PMID: 28931058 PMCID: PMC5607198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of meningococci isolated from the pharynx is essential towards understanding the dynamics of meningococcal carriage and disease. Meningococcal isolates, collected from adolescents resident in Salvador, Brazil during 2014, were characterized by multilocus sequence typing, genotyping or whole-genome sequencing. Most were nongroupable (61.0%), followed by genogroups B (11.9%) and Y (8.5%). We identified 34 different sequence types (STs), eight were new STs, distributed among 14 clonal complexes (cc), cc1136 represented 20.3% of the nongroupable isolates. The porA and fetA genotypes included P1.18,25-37 (11.9%), P1.18-1,3 (10.2%); F5-5 (23.7%), F4-66 (16.9%) and F1-7 (13.6%). The porB class 3 protein and the fHbp subfamily A (variants 2 and 3) genotypes were found in 93.0 and 71.0% of the isolates, respectively. NHBA was present in all isolates, and while most lacked NadA (94.9%), we detected the hyperinvasive lineages B:P1.19,15:F5-1:ST-639 (cc32); C:P1.22,14-6:F3-9:ST-3780 (cc103) and W:P1.5,2:F1-1:ST-11 (cc11). This is the first report on the genetic diversity and vaccine antigen prevalence among N. meningitidis carriage isolates in the Northeast of Brazil. This study highlights the need for ongoing characterization of meningococcal isolates following the introduction of vaccines and for determining public health intervention strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cécilia Batmalle Kretz
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Italo Eustáquio Ferreira
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mitermayer Galvão Reis
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Alan John Alexander McBride
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Xin Wang
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Leila Carvalho Campos
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kim HW, Lee S, Kwon D, Cha J, Ahn JG, Kim KH. Characterization of Oropharyngeal Carriage Isolates of Neisseria meningitidis in Healthy Korean Adolescents in 2015. J Korean Med Sci 2017; 32:1111-1117. [PMID: 28581267 PMCID: PMC5461314 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.7.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The meningococcus carriage rate is age-dependent, with a high prevalence in adolescents and young adults. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the oropharyngeal carriage rate of meningococcus among healthy Korean adolescents and its relationship with several population characteristics. The survey was conducted from April to May 2015 among 1,460 first-year high-school students in 9 high schools located in Gyeonggi province, Korea. Each student answered a short questionnaire assessing risk factors for carriage, and posterior pharyngeal wall swab samples were obtained. These samples were cultured on meningococcus-selective media, with colonies resembling meningococci identified using the Vitek® MS system (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). All isolates were characterized by molecular serogrouping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Meningococci were identified from 3.4% (49/1,460) swabs. Current smokers had significantly higher carriage rates than non-smokers (8.2% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.002), and boys had significantly higher carriage rates than girls (4.4% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.004). Serogroup B was the most common serogroup, followed by serogroup C, then 29E and Y. Twenty-seven different sequence types (STs) were identified; the most common were ST-3091, ST-11278, and ST-44. These belonged to clonal complexes (CCs) 269, 32, and 41/44, respectively, known as the hypervirulent clones. Evaluating meningococcal carriage is important to understand the epidemiology of meningococcal disease; however, little data exist in Korea. Similar to western countries, meningococcal serogroup B has emerged in Korea, and hypervirulent clones were identified. It is necessary to monitor the genetic and serologic characteristics of circulating meningococci and to assess the potential strain coverage of meningococcal vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Wool Kim
- Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soyoung Lee
- Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Daeho Kwon
- Department of Microbiology, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea
| | - Jihei Cha
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Gyun Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Hyo Kim
- Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Beyene GT, Kalayou S, Riaz T, Tonjum T. Comparative proteomic analysis of Neisseria meningitidis wildtype and dprA null mutant strains links DNA processing to pilus biogenesis. BMC Microbiol 2017; 17:96. [PMID: 28431522 PMCID: PMC5399837 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-017-1004-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA processing chain A (DprA) is a DNA binding protein which is ubiquitous in bacteria, and is required for DNA transformation to various extents among bacterial species. However, the interaction of DprA with competence and recombination proteins is poorly understood. Therefore, the proteomes of whole Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) wildtype and dprA mutant cells were compared. Such a comparative proteomic analysis increases our understanding of the interactions of DprA with other Nm components and may elucidate its potential role beyond DNA processing in transformation. Results Using label-free quantitative proteomics, a total of 1057 unique Nm proteins were identified, out of which 100 were quantified as differentially abundant (P ≤ 0.05 and fold change ≥ |2|) in the dprA null mutant. Proteins involved in homologous recombination (RecA, UvrD and HolA), pilus biogenesis (PilG, PilT1, PilT2, PilM, PilO, PilQ, PilF and PilE), cell division, including core energy metabolism, and response to oxidative stress were downregulated in the Nm dprA null mutant. The mass spectrometry data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD006121. Immunoblotting and co-immunoprecipitation were employed to validate the association of DprA with PilG. The analysis revealed reduced amounts of PilG in the dprA null mutant and reduced amounts of DprA in the Nm pilG null mutant. Moreover, a number of pilus biogenesis proteins were shown to interact with DprA and /or PilG. Conclusions DprA interacts with proteins essential for Nm DNA recombination in transformation, pilus biogenesis, and other functions associated with the inner membrane. Inverse downregulation of Nm DprA and PilG expression in the corresponding mutants indicates a link between DNA processing and pilus biogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-017-1004-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Tesfaye Beyene
- Department of Microbiology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Present address: College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Shewit Kalayou
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Mekelle University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Tahira Riaz
- Department of Microbiology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tone Tonjum
- Department of Microbiology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. .,Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Serogroup and Clonal Characterization of Czech Invasive Neisseria meningitidis Strains Isolated from 1971 to 2015. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167762. [PMID: 27936105 PMCID: PMC5147975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study presents antigenic and genetic characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis strains recovered from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the Czech Republic in 1971–2015. Material and Methods A total of 1970 isolates from IMD, referred to the National Reference Laboratory for Meningococcal Infections in 1971–2015, were studied. All isolates were identified and characterized by conventional biochemical and serological tests. Most isolates (82.5%) were characterized by multilocus sequence typing method. Results In the study period 1971–2015, the leading serogroup was B (52.4%), most often assigned to clonal complexes cc32, cc41/44, cc18, and cc269. A significant percentage of strains were of serogroup C (41.4%), with high clonal homogeneity due to hyperinvasive complex cc11, which played an important role in IMD in the Czech Republic in the mid-1990s. Serogroup Y isolates, mostly assigned to cc23, and isolates of clonally homogeneous serogroup W have also been recovered more often over the last years. Conclusion The incidence of IMD and distribution of serogroups and clonal complexes of N. meningitidis in the Czech Republic varied over time, as can be seen from the long-term monitoring, including molecular surveillance data. Data from the conventional and molecular IMD surveillance are helpful in refining the antimeningococcal vaccination strategy in the Czech Republic.
Collapse
|
33
|
Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Is Predominant Clonal Evolution a Common Evolutionary Adaptation to Parasitism in Pathogenic Parasitic Protozoa, Fungi, Bacteria, and Viruses? ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 97:243-325. [PMID: 28325372 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We propose that predominant clonal evolution (PCE) in microbial pathogens be defined as restrained recombination on an evolutionary scale, with genetic exchange scarce enough to not break the prevalent pattern of clonal population structure. The main features of PCE are (1) strong linkage disequilibrium, (2) the widespread occurrence of stable genetic clusters blurred by occasional bouts of genetic exchange ('near-clades'), (3) the existence of a "clonality threshold", beyond which recombination is efficiently countered by PCE, and near-clades irreversibly diverge. We hypothesize that the PCE features are not mainly due to natural selection but also chiefly originate from in-built genetic properties of pathogens. We show that the PCE model obtains even in microbes that have been considered as 'highly recombining', such as Neisseria meningitidis, and that some clonality features are observed even in Plasmodium, which has been long described as panmictic. Lastly, we provide evidence that PCE features are also observed in viruses, taking into account their extremely fast genetic turnover. The PCE model provides a convenient population genetic framework for any kind of micropathogen. It makes it possible to describe convenient units of analysis (clones and near-clades) for all applied studies. Due to PCE features, these units of analysis are stable in space and time, and clearly delimited. The PCE model opens up the possibility of revisiting the problem of species definition in these organisms. We hypothesize that PCE constitutes a major evolutionary strategy for protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses to adapt to parasitism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Tibayrenc
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - F J Ayala
- University of California at Irvine, United States
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Correia Repeat Enclosed Elements and Non-Coding RNAs in the Neisseria Species. Microorganisms 2016; 4:microorganisms4030031. [PMID: 27681925 PMCID: PMC5039591 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms4030031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is capable of causing gonorrhoea and more complex diseases in the human host. Neisseria meningitidis is a closely related pathogen that shares many of the same genomic features and virulence factors, but causes the life threatening diseases meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. The importance of non-coding RNAs in gene regulation has become increasingly evident having been demonstrated to be involved in regulons responsible for iron acquisition, antigenic variation, and virulence. Neisseria spp. contain an IS-like element, the Correia Repeat Enclosed Element, which has been predicted to be mobile within the genomes or to have been in the past. This repeat, present in over 100 copies in the genome, has the ability to alter gene expression and regulation in several ways. We reveal here that Correia Repeat Enclosed Elements tend to be near non-coding RNAs in the Neisseria spp., especially N. gonorrhoeae. These results suggest that Correia Repeat Enclosed Elements may have disrupted ancestral regulatory networks not just through their influence on regulatory proteins but also for non-coding RNAs.
Collapse
|
35
|
Bårnes GK, Workalemahu B, Kristiansen PA, Beyene D, Merdekios B, Fissiha P, Aseffa A, Caugant DA, Næss LM. Salivary and Serum Antibody Response Against
Neisseria meningitidis
After Vaccination With Conjugate Polysaccharide Vaccines in Ethiopian Volunteers. Scand J Immunol 2016; 84:118-29. [DOI: 10.1111/sji.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. K. Bårnes
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway
- Department of Community Medicine Section of International Community Health University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - B. Workalemahu
- Arba Minch College of Health Sciences Arba Minch Ethiopia
| | - P. A. Kristiansen
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway
| | - D. Beyene
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - B. Merdekios
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences Arba Minch University Arba Minch Ethiopia
| | - P. Fissiha
- Arba Minch General Hospital Arba Minch Ethiopia
| | - A. Aseffa
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - D. A. Caugant
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway
- Department of Community Medicine Section of International Community Health University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - L. M. Næss
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Takada S, Fujiwara S, Inoue T, Kataoka Y, Hadano Y, Matsumoto K, Morino K, Shimizu T. Meningococcemia in Adults: A Review of the Literature. Intern Med 2016; 55:567-72. [PMID: 26984070 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.3272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We mainly refer to the acute setting of meningococcemia. Meningococcemia is an infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which has 13 clinically significant serogroups that are distinguishable by the structure of their capsular polysaccharides. N. meningitidis, also called meningococcus, is a Gram-negative, aerobic, diplococcus bacterium. The various consequences of severe meningococcal sepsis include hypotension, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), multiple organ failure, and osteonecrosis due to DIC. The gold standard for the identification of meningococcal infection is the bacteriologic isolation of N. meningitidis from body fluids such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid, and pleural fluid. Blood, CSF, and skin biopsy cultures are used for diagnosis. Meningococcal infection is a medical emergency that requires antibiotic therapy and intensive supportive care. Management of the systemic circulation, respiration, and intracranial pressure is vital for improving the prognosis, which has dramatically improved since the wide availability of antibiotics. This review of the literature provides an overview of current concepts on meningococcemia due to N. meningitidis infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shimon Takada
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Nara City Hospital, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
The three species Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrheae, and Neisseria lactamica are often regarded as highly recombining bacteria. N. meningitidis has been considered a paradigmatic case of the "semiclonal model" or of "epidemic clonality," demonstrating occasional bouts of clonal propagation in an otherwise recombining species. In this model, occasional clonality generates linkage disequilibrium in the short term. In the long run, however, the effects of clonality are countered by recombination. We show that many data are at odds with this proposal and that N. meningitidis fits the criteria that we have proposed for predominant clonal evolution (PCE). We point out that (i) the proposed way to distinguish epidemic clonality from PCE may be faulty and (ii) the evidence of deep phylogenies by microarrays and whole-genome sequencing is at odds with the predictions of the semiclonal model. Last, we revisit the species status of N. meningitidis, N. gonorrheae, and N. lactamica in the light of the PCE model.
Collapse
|
38
|
Moreno J, Hidalgo M, Duarte C, Sanabria O, Gabastou JM, Ibarz-Pavon AB. Characterization of Carriage Isolates of Neisseria meningitides in the Adolescents and Young Adults Population of Bogota (Colombia). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135497. [PMID: 26322796 PMCID: PMC4556189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Meningococcal carriage studies are important to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of meningococcal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of meningococcal carriage and the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of isolates collected from a sample of students in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. Materials and Methods A total of 1459 oropharyngeal samples were collected from students aged 15–21 years attending secondary schools and universities. Swabs were plated on a Thayer Martin agar and N. meningitidis was identified by standard microbiology methods and PCR. Results The overall carriage prevalence was 6.85%. Carriage was associated with cohabitation with smokers, and oral sex practices. Non-groupable and serogroup Y isolates were the most common capsule types found. Isolates presented a high genetic diversity, and circulation of the hypervirulent clonal complexes ST-23, ST-32 and ST-41/44 were detected. Conclusion The meningococcal carriage rate was lower than those reported in Europe and Africa, but higher than in other Latin American countries. Our data also revealed antigenic and genetic diversity of the isolates and the circulation of strains belonging to clonal complexes commonly associated with meningococcal disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Moreno
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| | - Melissa Hidalgo
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Duarte
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Olga Sanabria
- Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jean Marc Gabastou
- Pan-American Health Organization, Washington DC, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Oviedo-Orta E, Ahmed S, Rappuoli R, Black S. Prevention and control of meningococcal outbreaks: The emerging role of serogroup B meningococcal vaccines. Vaccine 2015; 33:3628-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
40
|
Hu S, Zhang W, Li F, Hu Z, Ma E, Zheng T, Zhao Y, Li W, Zhou H, Shao Z, Xu J. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 sequence type 11, Anhui Province, China, 2011-2013. Emerg Infect Dis 2015; 20:1236-8. [PMID: 24960586 PMCID: PMC4073845 DOI: 10.3201/eid2007.131138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
|
41
|
Whelan J, Bambini S, Biolchi A, Brunelli B, Robert–Du Ry van Beest Holle M. Outbreaks of meningococcal B infection and the 4CMenB vaccine: historical and future perspectives. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 14:713-36. [DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.1004317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
42
|
Shan X, Zhou H, Zhang J, Zhu B, Xu L, Hu G, Bai A, Shao Z, Jiang B. Application of multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis to identify outbreak-associated Neisseria meningitides serogroup C sequence type 4821 in China. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116422. [PMID: 25603352 PMCID: PMC4300189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) serogroup C sequence type (ST)-4821 caused an outbreak in 2010 in Shandong province of China. Twenty-one non-outbreak-associated strains were isolated, along with twenty-eight N. meningitides serogroup C ST-4821 isolates. Therefore, it’s essential to identify and clarify characterization of the real outbreak-associated strains with a rapid method during an outbreak investigation. In this study, multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was applied to analyze 84 N. meningitidis strains, among which 58 were recovered from two outbreaks and 26 were sporadic isolates. Three MLVA schemes with different combination of VNTR loci were tested, and two of them were suitable for isolates from China: scheme 2 with six loci was found to separate ST into finer resolution, and scheme 3 with five loci can be used to identify outbreak-associated isolates from the same outbreak that caused by N. meningitidis serogroup C ST-4821.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Shan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Haijian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Bingqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Guangchun Hu
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Aiying Bai
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhujun Shao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (ZJS); (BFJ)
| | - Baofa Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (ZJS); (BFJ)
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shan X, Zhang J, Zhou H, Zhu B, Xu L, Shao Z, Jiang B. Genetic diversity of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C ST-4821 in China based on multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111866. [PMID: 25375168 PMCID: PMC4222954 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis sequence type (ST)-4821 was first reported in China in 2003, and a new hyper-virulent lineage has been designated as the ST-4821 complex. A large number of N. meningitidis ST-4821 strains have been identified in China since 2003; however, the microevolution characteristics of this complex are unclear. Different combinations of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) loci were used in multiple-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA) to analyze 118 N. meningitidis serogroup C ST-4821 strains isolated from seventeen provinces between 2003 and 2012. Additionally, MLVA with five VNTR loci was performed due to its high discriminatory power. One hundred and eighteen isolates were found to comprise 112 subtypes based on MLVA, and 16 outbreak-associated strains were clustered into one group. These data indicate a high level of diversity for N. meningitidis ST-4821 due to microevolution in the last decade. In addition, the results revealed high similarity between isolates from the same geographic origins, which is helpful when monitoring the spread of N. meningitidis serogroup C ST-4821 and will provide valuable information for the control and prevention of bacterial meningitis in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Shan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Haijian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Bingqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhujun Shao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (ZJS); (BFJ)
| | - Baofa Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan City, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (ZJS); (BFJ)
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Emergence of a new epidemic Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A Clone in the African meningitis belt: high-resolution picture of genomic changes that mediate immune evasion. mBio 2014; 5:e01974-14. [PMID: 25336458 PMCID: PMC4212839 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01974-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the African “meningitis belt,” outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur in cycles, representing a model for the role of host-pathogen interactions in epidemic processes. The periodicity of the epidemics is not well understood, nor is it currently possible to predict them. In our longitudinal colonization and disease surveys, we have observed waves of clonal replacement with the same serogroup, suggesting that immunity to noncapsular antigens plays a significant role in natural herd immunity. Here, through comparative genomic analysis of 100 meningococcal isolates, we provide a high-resolution view of the evolutionary changes that occurred during clonal replacement of a hypervirulent meningococcal clone (ST-7) by a descendant clone (ST-2859). We show that the majority of genetic changes are due to homologous recombination of laterally acquired DNA, with more than 20% of these events involving acquisition of DNA from other species. Signals of adaptation to evade herd immunity were indicated by genomic hot spots of recombination. Most striking is the high frequency of changes involving the pgl locus, which determines the glycosylation patterns of major protein antigens. High-frequency changes were also observed for genes involved in the regulation of pilus expression and the synthesis of Maf3 adhesins, highlighting the importance of these surface features in host-pathogen interaction and immune evasion. While established meningococcal capsule polysaccharide vaccines are protective through the induction of anticapsular antibodies, findings of our longitudinal studies in the African meningitis belt have indicated that immunity to noncapsular antigens plays a significant role in natural herd immunity. Our results show that meningococci evade herd immunity through the rapid homologous replacement of just a few key genomic loci that affect noncapsular cell surface components. Identification of recombination hot spots thus represents an eminent approach to gain insight into targets of protective natural immune responses. Moreover, our results highlight the role of the dynamics of the protein glycosylation repertoire in immune evasion by Neisseria meningitidis. These results have major implications for the design of next-generation protein-based subunit vaccines.
Collapse
|
45
|
A genome-wide identification of genes undergoing recombination and positive selection in Neisseria. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:815672. [PMID: 25180194 PMCID: PMC4142384 DOI: 10.1155/2014/815672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there is particular interest in the molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution in bacteria. Neisseria is a genus of gram negative bacteria, and there has recently been considerable focus on its two human pathogenic species N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae. Until now, no genome-wide studies have attempted to scan for the genes related to adaptive evolution. For this reason, we selected 18 Neisseria genomes (14 N. meningitidis, 3 N. gonorrhoeae and 1 commensal N. lactamics) to conduct a comparative genome analysis to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the roles of natural selection and homologous recombination throughout the history of adaptive evolution. Among the 1012 core orthologous genes, we identified 635 genes with recombination signals and 10 genes that showed significant evidence of positive selection. Further functional analyses revealed that no functional bias was found in the recombined genes. Positively selected genes are prone to DNA processing and iron uptake, which are essential for the fundamental life cycle. Overall, the results indicate that both recombination and positive selection play crucial roles in the adaptive evolution of Neisseria genomes. The positively selected genes and the corresponding amino acid sites provide us with valuable targets for further research into the detailed mechanisms of adaptive evolution in Neisseria.
Collapse
|
46
|
Bijlsma MW, Brouwer MC, Spanjaard L, van de Beek D, van der Ende A. A Decade of Herd Protection After Introduction of Meningococcal Serogroup C Conjugate Vaccination. Clin Infect Dis 2014; 59:1216-21. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
47
|
Simonis A, Hebling S, Gulbins E, Schneider-Schaulies S, Schubert-Unkmeir A. Differential activation of acid sphingomyelinase and ceramide release determines invasiveness of Neisseria meningitidis into brain endothelial cells. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004160. [PMID: 24945304 PMCID: PMC4055770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction with brain endothelial cells is central to the pathogenicity of Neisseria meningitidis infections. Here, we show that N. meningitidis causes transient activation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) followed by ceramide release in brain endothelial cells. In response to N. meningitidis infection, ASM and ceramide are displayed at the outer leaflet of the cell membrane and condense into large membrane platforms which also concentrate the ErbB2 receptor. The outer membrane protein Opc and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C that is activated upon binding of the pathogen to heparan sulfate proteoglycans, are required for N. meningitidis-mediated ASM activation. Pharmacologic or genetic ablation of ASM abrogated meningococcal internalization without affecting bacterial adherence. In accordance, the restricted invasiveness of a defined set of pathogenic isolates of the ST-11/ST-8 clonal complex into brain endothelial cells directly correlated with their restricted ability to induce ASM and ceramide release. In conclusion, ASM activation and ceramide release are essential for internalization of Opc-expressing meningococci into brain endothelial cells, and this segregates with invasiveness of N. meningitidis strains. Neisseria meningitidis, an obligate human pathogen, is a causative agent of septicemia and meningitis worldwide. Meningococcal infection manifests in a variety of forms, including meningitis, meningococcemia with meningitis or meningococcemia without obvious meningitis. The interaction of N. meningitidis with human cells lining the blood vessels of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier is a prerequisite for the development of meningitis. As a major pathogenicity factor, the meningococcal outer membrane protein Opc enhances bacterial entry into brain endothelial cells, however, mechanisms underlying trapping of receptors and signaling molecules following this interaction remained elusive. We now show that Opc-expressing meningococci activate acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) in brain endothelial cells, which hydrolyses sphingomyelin to cause ceramide release and formation of extended ceramide-enriched membrane platforms wherein ErbB2, an important receptor involved in bacterial uptake, clusters. Mechanistically, ASM activation relied on binding of N. meningitidis to its attachment receptor, HSPG, followed by activation of PC-PLC. Meningococcal isolates of the ST-11 clonal complex, which are reported to be more likely to cause severe sepsis, but rarely meningitis, barely invaded brain endothelial cells and revealed a highly restricted ability to induce ASM and ceramide release. Thus, our results unravel a differential activation of the ASM/ceramide system by the species N. meningitidis determining its invasiveness into brain endothelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Simonis
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Hebling
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Metagenomics provides a powerful new tool set for investigating evolutionary interactions with the environment. However, an absence of model-based statistical methods means that researchers are often not able to make full use of this complex information. We present a Bayesian method for inferring the phylogenetic relationship among related organisms found within metagenomic samples. Our approach exploits variation in the frequency of taxa among samples to simultaneously infer each lineage haplotype, the phylogenetic tree connecting them, and their frequency within each sample. Applications of the algorithm to simulated data show that our method can recover a substantial fraction of the phylogenetic structure even in the presence of high rates of migration among sample sites. We provide examples of the method applied to data from green sulfur bacteria recovered from an Antarctic lake, plastids from mixed Plasmodium falciparum infections, and virulent Neisseria meningitidis samples.
Collapse
|
49
|
Role of factor H binding protein in Neisseria meningitidis virulence and its potential as a vaccine candidate to broadly protect against meningococcal disease. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2014; 77:234-52. [PMID: 23699256 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00056-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative microorganism that exists exclusively in humans and can cause devastating invasive disease. Although capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines against serogroups A, C, Y, and W135 are widely available, the pathway to a broadly protective vaccine against serogroup B has been more complex. The last 11 years has seen the discovery and development of the N. meningitidis serogroup B (MnB) outer membrane protein factor H binding protein (fHBP) as a vaccine component. Since the initial discovery of fHBP, a tremendous amount of work has accumulated on the diversity, structure, and regulation of this important protein. fHBP has proved to be a virulence factor for N. meningitidis and a target for functional bactericidal antibodies. fHBP is critical for survival of meningococci in the human host, as it is responsible for the primary interaction with human factor H (fH). Binding of hfH by the meningococcus serves to downregulate the host alternative complement pathway and helps the organism evade host innate immunity. Preclinical studies have shown that an fHBP-based vaccine can elicit serum bactericidal antibodies capable of killing MnB, and the vaccine has shown very encouraging results in human clinical trials. This report reviews our current knowledge of fHBP. In particular, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of fHBP, its importance to N. meningitidis, and its potential role as a vaccine for preventing MnB disease.
Collapse
|
50
|
Wörmann ME, Horien CL, Bennett JS, Jolley KA, Maiden MCJ, Tang CM, Aho EL, Exley RM. Sequence, distribution and chromosomal context of class I and class II pilin genes of Neisseria meningitidis identified in whole genome sequences. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:253. [PMID: 24690385 PMCID: PMC4023411 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neisseria meningitidis expresses type four pili (Tfp) which are important for colonisation and virulence. Tfp have been considered as one of the most variable structures on the bacterial surface due to high frequency gene conversion, resulting in amino acid sequence variation of the major pilin subunit (PilE). Meningococci express either a class I or a class II pilE gene and recent work has indicated that class II pilins do not undergo antigenic variation, as class II pilE genes encode conserved pilin subunits. The purpose of this work was to use whole genome sequences to further investigate the frequency and variability of the class II pilE genes in meningococcal isolate collections. Results We analysed over 600 publically available whole genome sequences of N. meningitidis isolates to determine the sequence and genomic organization of pilE. We confirmed that meningococcal strains belonging to a limited number of clonal complexes (ccs, namely cc1, cc5, cc8, cc11 and cc174) harbour a class II pilE gene which is conserved in terms of sequence and chromosomal context. We also identified pilS cassettes in all isolates with class II pilE, however, our analysis indicates that these do not serve as donor sequences for pilE/pilS recombination. Furthermore, our work reveals that the class II pilE locus lacks the DNA sequence motifs that enable (G4) or enhance (Sma/Cla repeat) pilin antigenic variation. Finally, through analysis of pilin genes in commensal Neisseria species we found that meningococcal class II pilE genes are closely related to pilE from Neisseria lactamica and Neisseria polysaccharea, suggesting horizontal transfer among these species. Conclusions Class II pilins can be defined by their amino acid sequence and genomic context and are present in meningococcal isolates which have persisted and spread globally. The absence of G4 and Sma/Cla sequences adjacent to the class II pilE genes is consistent with the lack of pilin subunit variation in these isolates, although horizontal transfer may generate class II pilin diversity. This study supports the suggestion that high frequency antigenic variation of pilin is not universal in pathogenic Neisseria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ellen L Aho
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|