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Genova-Kalou P, Hodzhev Y, Tsachev I, Pepovich R, Panaiotov S, Dobrinov V, Krumova S, Boneva-Marutsova B, Chakarova B, Todorova K, Simeonov K, Baymakova M, Fournier PE. First Insight into the Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii Infection among Veterinary Medicine Students in Bulgaria. Infect Dis Rep 2024; 16:794-805. [PMID: 39311202 PMCID: PMC11417759 DOI: 10.3390/idr16050061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection among veterinary medicine students from two Bulgarian Universities, located in Sofia and Stara Zagora. Blood samples were collected from a total of 185 veterinary students for the detection of C. burnetii phase II antibodies and presence of DNA using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and end-point PCR test. Out of all samples, 29.7% were positive for at least one C. burnetii phase II antibody marker or by the result of the PCR test. Veterinary students from Stara Zagora showed a significantly high seropositivity for Q fever (33.6%), as compared to the students in Sofia (23%; p < 0.05). Evidence of recent exposure with detection of anti-C. burnetii phase II IgM (+) antibodies was observed in 14.6% of the students under study. Seroprevalence among students in Stara Zagora was higher (15.3%). Anti-C. burnetii phase II IgG antibodies were detected in 21.6% of examined samples. Our study revealed a higher seropositivity among the male students (32.8%) as compared to females (16.0%; p < 0.05). The end-point PCR assay detected 5.9% blood samples as positive. The relative risk (RR) of Q fever exposure for male students was 40.7%, whereas it was 24.6% in females (p < 0.05). The findings from this study indicate that the C. burnetii infection is widely distributed amongst veterinary students in Bulgaria. This study emphasizes the need for improved safety protocols and infection control measures in veterinary training programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petia Genova-Kalou
- Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Yordan Hodzhev
- Department of Microbiology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ilia Tsachev
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Roman Pepovich
- Department of Infectious Pathology, Hygiene, Technology and Control of Foods from Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stefan Panaiotov
- Department of Microbiology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Veselin Dobrinov
- Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stefka Krumova
- Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Betina Boneva-Marutsova
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Borislava Chakarova
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Parasitology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Keytlin Todorova
- National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Medical Institute “Prof. Dr. G. Pavlov”, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Konstantin Simeonov
- National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Medical Institute “Prof. Dr. G. Pavlov”, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Magdalena Baymakova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- French Reference Center for Rickettsioses, Q Fever and Bartonelloses, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
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Alessiani A, Di Domenico M, Averaimo D, Pompilii C, Rulli M, Cocco A, Lomellini L, Coccaro A, Cantelmi MC, Merola C, Tieri EE, Romeo G, Secondini B, Marfoglia C, Di Teodoro G, Petrini A. Coxiella burnetii: A Brief Summary of the Last Five Years of Its Presence in the Abruzzo and Molise Regions in Italy. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2248. [PMID: 39123774 PMCID: PMC11310968 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever. The main reservoirs for this bacterium, which can lead to human infection, in our region are typically cattle, goats, and sheep. In animals, C. burnetii infection is often detected due to reproductive problems. European Member States are required to report confirmed cases annually, but the lack of uniform reporting methods makes the data rather inconsistent. The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise is involved in official controls to identify the causes of abortions, monitor suspected or positive herds, evaluate suspected infections in pets and humans, monitor the spread in wildlife, etc. In this paper, we summarize the presence of C. burnetii over the last five years (2019-2023). Additionally, a detailed overview of C. burnetii infection in wild and domestic animals is provided. Five hundred sixty animals-including cattle; goats; sheep; wild animals, such as deer, boars, wolves, roe deer, owls, and otters; buffalo; dogs; horses; cats; and a donkey-and six human samples were tested by real-time PCR on the transposase gene IS1111 to detect C. burnetii. The MST profile was identified in some of the samples. Outbreaks of C. burnetii occurred in four herds. In one of them, it was possible to follow the outbreak from inception to eradication by evaluating the effect of vaccination on real-time PCR Ct values. A total of 116 animals tested positive for C. burnetii, including 73 goats, 42 sheep, and one bovine. None of the other samples tested positive. The strains for which the ST was performed were identified as ST79, a strain that has been present in the area for more than ten years. The effect of vaccination on the reduction of positive samples and the variation of real-time PCR Ct values was evaluated in strict correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Alessiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Marco Di Domenico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Daniela Averaimo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Cinzia Pompilii
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Marco Rulli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Cocco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Laura Lomellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Coccaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Maria Chiara Cantelmi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Carmine Merola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Elga Ersilia Tieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Gianfranco Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Barbara Secondini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Cristina Marfoglia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Giovanni Di Teodoro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Petrini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.D.D.); (D.A.); (C.P.); (M.R.); (A.C.); (L.L.); (A.C.); (M.C.C.); (C.M.); (E.E.T.); (G.R.); (B.S.); (C.M.); (G.D.T.); (A.P.)
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Osbron CA, Lawson C, Hanna N, Koehler HS, Goodman AG. Caspase-8 activity mediates TNFα production and restricts Coxiella burnetii replication during murine macrophage infection. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0005324. [PMID: 38837340 PMCID: PMC11238558 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00053-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacteria that causes the global zoonotic disease Q Fever. Treatment options for chronic infection are limited, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies requires a greater understanding of how C. burnetii interacts with immune signaling. Cell death responses are known to be manipulated by C. burnetii, but the role of caspase-8, a central regulator of multiple cell death pathways, has not been investigated. In this research, we studied bacterial manipulation of caspase-8 signaling and the significance of caspase-8 to C. burnetii infection, examining bacterial replication, cell death induction, and cytokine signaling. We measured caspase, RIPK, and MLKL activation in C. burnetii-infected tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)/cycloheximide-treated THP-1 macrophage-like cells and TNFα/ZVAD-treated L929 cells to assess apoptosis and necroptosis signaling. Additionally, we measured C. burnetii replication, cell death, and TNFα induction over 12 days in RIPK1-kinase-dead, RIPK3-kinase-dead, or RIPK3-kinase-dead-caspase-8-/- bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) to understand the significance of caspase-8 and RIPK1/3 during infection. We found that caspase-8 is inhibited by C. burnetii, coinciding with inhibition of apoptosis and increased susceptibility to necroptosis. Furthermore, C. burnetii replication was increased in BMDMs lacking caspase-8, but not in those lacking RIPK1/3 kinase activity, corresponding with decreased TNFα production and reduced cell death. As TNFα is associated with the control of C. burnetii, this lack of a TNFα response may allow for the unchecked bacterial growth we saw in caspase-8-/- BMDMs. This research identifies and explores caspase-8 as a key regulator of C. burnetii infection, opening novel therapeutic doors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A. Osbron
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Crystal Lawson
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Nolan Hanna
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Heather S. Koehler
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Wang S, Xu K, Wang G. Delayed diagnosis of persistent Q fever: a case series from China. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:591. [PMID: 38886677 PMCID: PMC11181675 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09484-w] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Q fever, caused by the zoonotic pathogen Coxiella burnetii, exhibits a worldwide prevalence. In China, Q fever is not recognized as a notifiable disease, and the disease is overlooked and underestimated in clinical practice, leading to diagnostic challenges. CASE PRESENTATION We present a case series of three patients diagnosed with persistent Q fever between 2022 and 2023. The average age of our three cases was 63.33 years old, consisting of two males and one female. The medical history of the individuals included previous valve replacement, aneurysm followed by aortic stent-graft placement and prosthetic hip joint replacement. At the onset of the disease, only one case exhibited acute fever, while the remaining two cases were devoid of any acute symptoms. The etiology was initially overlooked until metagenomic next-generation sequencing test identified Coxiella burnetii from the blood or biopsy samples. Delayed diagnosis was noted, with a duration ranging from three months to one year between the onset of the disease and its confirmation. The epidemiological history uncovered that none of the three cases had direct exposure to domestic animals or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. Case 1 and 2 resided in urban areas, while Case 3 was a rural resident engaged in farming. All patients received combination therapy of doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine, and no recurrence of the disease was observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION Q fever is rarely diagnosed and reported in clinical practice in our country. We should be aware of persistent Q fever in high-risk population, even with unremarkable exposure history. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing holds great potential as a diagnostic tool for identifying rare and fastidious pathogens such as Coxiella burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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Ahaduzzaman M, Reza MMB. Global and regional seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1441. [PMID: 38613179 PMCID: PMC11015088 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiellosis is a neglected zoonosis for occupationally exposed people in many parts of the world. Sheep and goats are two important small ruminants that act as reservoirs for human contamination; however, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the epidemiological aspects of coxiellosis in sheep and goats at regional and global levels. The aim of this study was to systematically review the available articles on seroprevalence of coxiellosis in sheep and goats and estimate the overall seroprevalence in different regions. METHODS A systematic search strategy was performed in five electronic repositories for articles published until December 2021. Relevant data were extracted from the selected articles based on the inclusion criteria. A random effect meta-analysis model was used to analyse the data. Results are presented as the prevalence of seropositivity as a percentage and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS The global pooled seroprevalence of coxiellosis in sheep was 17.38% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.59%-19.17%). Overall, the regional level pooled prevalence estimates in sheep ranged from 15.04% (95% CI: 7.68%-22.40%) to 19.14% (95% CI: 15.51%-22.77%), depending on region. The global pooled seroprevalence of coxiellosis in goats was 22.60% (95% CI: 19.54%-25.66%). Overall, the regional level pooled prevalence estimates in goats ranged from 6.33% (95% CI: 2.96%-9.71%) to 55.13% (95% CI: 49.61%-60.65%), depending on the region. The prevalence estimates also varied significantly in both sheep and goats depending on age, sex, and rearing systems of the animals (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Seroprevalence of coxiellosis in both sheep and goats is considerable. Routine monitoring of the sheep and goat populations is needed to prevent spillover infection in other livestock and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ahaduzzaman
- Department of Medicine & SurgeryChattogram Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (CVASU)ChattogramBangladesh
| | - Md Moktadir Billah Reza
- Department of Medicine & SurgeryChattogram Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (CVASU)ChattogramBangladesh
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Kimemia BB, Musila L, Langat S, Odoyo E, Cinkovich S, Abuom D, Yalwala S, Khamadi S, Johnson J, Garges E, Ojwang E, Eyase F. Detection of pathogenic bacteria in ticks from Isiolo and Kwale counties of Kenya using metagenomics. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296597. [PMID: 38687700 PMCID: PMC11060535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are arachnid ectoparasites that rank second only to mosquitoes in the transmission of human diseases including bacteria responsible for anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fevers, and Lyme disease among other febrile illnesses. Due to the paucity of data on bacteria transmitted by ticks in Kenya, this study undertook a bacterial metagenomic-based characterization of ticks collected from Isiolo, a semi-arid pastoralist County in Eastern Kenya, and Kwale, a coastal County with a monsoon climate in the southern Kenyan border with Tanzania. A total of 2,918 ticks belonging to 3 genera and 10 species were pooled and screened in this study. Tick identification was confirmed through the sequencing of the Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit 1 (COI) gene. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons obtained from the above samples were sequenced using the MinION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) platform. The resulting reads were demultiplexed in Porechop, followed by trimming and filtering in Trimmomatic before clustering using Qiime2-VSearch. A SILVA database pretrained naïve Bayes classifier was used to classify the Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) taxonomically. The bacteria of clinical interest detected in pooled tick assays were as follows: Rickettsia spp. 59.43% of pools, Coxiella burnetii 37.88%, Proteus mirabilis 5.08%, Cutibacterium acnes 6.08%, and Corynebacterium ulcerans 2.43%. These bacteria are responsible for spotted fevers, query fever (Q-fever), urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, eye infections, and diphtheria-like infections in humans, respectively. P. mirabilis, C. acnes, and C. ulcerans were detected only in Isiolo. Additionally, COI sequences allowed for the identification of Rickettsia and Coxiella species to strain levels in some of the pools. Diversity analysis revealed that the tick genera had high levels of Alpha diversity but the differences between the microbiomes of the three tick genera studied were not significant. The detection of C. acnes, commonly associated with human skin flora suggests that the ticks may have contact with humans potentially exposing them to bacterial infections. The findings in this study highlight the need for further investigation into the viability of these bacteria and the competency of ticks to transmit them. Clinicians in these high-risk areas also need to be appraised for them to include Rickettsial diseases and Q-fever as part of their differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryson Brian Kimemia
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lillian Musila
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Microbiology Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Solomon Langat
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Virus Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Erick Odoyo
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stephanie Cinkovich
- United States Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Branch, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David Abuom
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Santos Yalwala
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samoel Khamadi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Virus Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jaree Johnson
- United States Armed Forces Pest Management Board, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Eric Garges
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elly Ojwang
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Fredrick Eyase
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Nairobi, Kenya
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Virus Research, Nairobi, Kenya
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Ghazanabad AE, Esfandiari N, Najafi M, Mehrabi S, Sarani S, Khademi P, Maurin M. Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in tick and blood samples from small ruminants in northwest of Iran. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:529-546. [PMID: 38407754 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00888-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
This survey sought to molecularly detect Coxiella burnetii in Argasidae and Ixodidae ticks attached to small ruminants in the region of West Azerbaijan (Northwest of Iran) and blood samples collected from the same animals. 451 tick samples and 927 blood samples were obtained from sheep (n = 536) and goats (n = 391) and tested by nested PCR for detection of C. burnetii insertion sequence IS1111 or icd gene sequence. The collected ticks were morphologically classified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum, or Argas reflexus. 14% of ticks (65 in total 43 for IS1111 and 22 for icd gene) tested positive for C. burnetii, none of which were from the Argas genus. Among the 927 blood samples, 218 (23.5%) tested positive for C. burnetii. The positive result from analysis targeting the genes IS1111 and icd were 131 and 87 respectively. As Q fever is a tickborne zoonosis and endemic to Iran, such information is critical for creating effective, coordinated, and strategic tick and pathogen control programs to prevent disease outbreak in domestic animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Negin Esfandiari
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Najafi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shahryar Mehrabi
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Sarani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zabol University, Zabol, Iran
| | - Peyman Khademi
- Department of pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khoram Abad, Iran
| | - Max Maurin
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, TIMC, 38000, Grenoble, France
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8
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Osbron CA, Lawson C, Hanna N, Koehler HS, Goodman AG. Caspase-8 activity mediates TNFα production and restricts Coxiella burnetii replication during murine macrophage infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.02.578698. [PMID: 38352389 PMCID: PMC10862817 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.578698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacteria which causes the global zoonotic disease Q Fever. Treatment options for infection are limited, and development of novel therapeutic strategies requires a greater understanding of how C. burnetii interacts with immune signaling. Cell death responses are known to be manipulated by C. burnetii, but the role of caspase-8, a central regulator of multiple cell death pathways, has not been investigated. In this research, we studied bacterial manipulation of caspase-8 signaling and the significance of caspase-8 to C. burnetii infection, examining bacterial replication, cell death induction, and cytokine signaling. We measured caspase, RIPK, and MLKL activation in C. burnetii-infected TNFα/CHX-treated THP-1 macrophage-like cells and TNFα/ZVAD-treated L929 cells to assess apoptosis and necroptosis signaling. Additionally, we measured C. burnetii replication, cell death, and TNFα induction over 12 days in RIPK1-kinase-dead, RIPK3-kinase-dead, or RIPK3-kinase-dead-caspase-8-/- BMDMs to understand the significance of caspase-8 and RIPK1/3 during infection. We found that caspase-8 is inhibited by C. burnetii, coinciding with inhibition of apoptosis and increased susceptibility to necroptosis. Furthermore, C. burnetii replication was increased in BMDMs lacking caspase-8, but not in those lacking RIPK1/3 kinase activity, corresponding with decreased TNFα production and reduced cell death. As TNFα is associated with the control of C. burnetii, this lack of a TNFα response may allow for the unchecked bacterial growth we saw in caspase-8-/- BMDMs. This research identifies and explores caspase-8 as a key regulator of C. burnetii infection, opening novel therapeutic doors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A. Osbron
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Crystal Lawson
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Nolan Hanna
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Heather S. Koehler
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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9
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Kodori M, Amani J, Ahmadi A. Unveiling promising immunogenic targets in Coxiella burnetii through in silico analysis: paving the way for novel vaccine strategies. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:902. [PMID: 38129801 PMCID: PMC10740251 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08904-7] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular pathogen, serves as the causative agent of zoonotic Q fever. This pathogen presents a significant threat due to its potential for airborne transmission, environmental persistence, and pathogenicity. The current whole-cell vaccine (WCV) utilized in Australia to combat Q fever exhibits notable limitations, including severe adverse reactions and limited regulatory approval for human use. This research employed the reverse vaccinology (RV) approach to uncover antigenic proteins and epitopes of C. burnetii, facilitating the development of more potent vaccine candidates. METHODS The potential immunogenic proteins derived from C. burnetii RSA493/Nine Mile phase I (NMI) were extracted through manual, automated RV, and virulence factor database (VFDB) methods. Web tools and bioinformatics were used to evaluate physiochemical attributes, subcellular localization, antigenicity, allergenicity, human homology, B-cell epitopes, MHC I and II binding ratios, functional class scores, adhesion probabilities, protein-protein interactions, and molecular docking. RESULTS Out of the 1850 proteins encoded by RSA493/NMI, a subset of 178 demonstrated the potential for surface or membrane localization. Following a series of analytical iterations, 14 putative immunogenic proteins emerged. This collection included nine proteins (57.1%) intricately involved in cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis processes (CBU_0197 (Q83EW1), CBU_0311 (Q83EK8), CBU_0489 (Q83E43), CBU_0939 (Q83D08), CBU_1190 (P39917), CBU_1829 (Q83AQ2), CBU_1412 (Q83BU0), CBU_1414 (Q83BT8), and CBU_1600 (Q83BB2)). The CBU_1627 (Q83B86 ) (7.1%) implicated in intracellular trafficking, secretion, and vesicular transport, and CBU_0092 (Q83F57) (7.1%) contributing to cell division. Additionally, three proteins (21.4%) displayed uncharacterized functions (CBU_0736 (Q83DJ4), CBU_1095 (Q83CL9), and CBU_2079 (Q83A32)). The congruent results obtained from molecular docking and immune response stimulation lend support to the inclusion of all 14 putative proteins as potential vaccine candidates. Notably, seven proteins with well-defined functions stand out among these candidates. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of this study introduce promising proteins and epitopes for the forthcoming formulation of subunit vaccines against Q fever, with a primary emphasis on cellular processes and the virulence factors of C. burnetii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Kodori
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Non Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmadi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Park SM, Choi C, Rhee MS. Cultivation-free sample preparation and DNA purification for direct real-time qPCR of intracellular or spore-like Coxiella burnetii in beef, goat, and lamb meat. Food Res Int 2023; 173:113312. [PMID: 37803623 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113312] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen that has been associated with foodborne outbreaks in products with ruminant origins. However, a method to detect C. burnetii in meat has been merely studied, and commercial kits cannot efficiently fulfill this purpose. In this study, an in-house preparation method for direct real-time qPCR of C. burnetii in beef, goat, and lamb meat was designed. In the sample preparation step (step 1), trypsin digestion and cell disruption techniques were introduced to target C. burnetii in an obligate intracellular or spore-like form. Afterward, 16 DNA purification protocols involving the following steps (steps 2-3) were assessed: the precipitation of meat proteins (step 2; using 2.5, 5.0 M NaCl or 1:1, 2:1 ethanol as the precipitant) and binding of DNA to silicon dioxide particles with chaotropic salts (step 3; using 2.5, 5.0 M NaCl or 2.5, 5.0 M guanidine thiocyanate as the salt). The protocols with superior performance in high-spiked loins (estimated 4-5 log cells/g) were verified in low-spiked (1-2 log cells/g) or Bacillus thuringiensis spore-inoculated (1-2 log CFU/g) loins, ribs, and hind legs. During the protein precipitation, 5.0 M NaCl induced significantly lower protein level as demonstrated by A280, when compared to 2.5 M NaCl or ethanol (P < 0.05). For the DNA binding step, Ct values were lowered in high-spiked goat or lamb loins (3.5-6.0▾; P < 0.05) when the concentration of NaCl was doubled or guanidine thiocyanate was introduced instead of NaCl as a chaotropic salt. Based on these results, two protocols using 5.0 M NaCl as the protein precipitant and 5.0 M NaCl (N2 + N2) or guanidine thiocyanate (N2 + G2) as the chaotropic salt were selected, which demonstrated successful detection in low-spiked (Ct values of N2 + N2, 32.9-35.6; N2 + G2, 32.3-36.4) or spore-inoculated meat (N2 + N2, 30.9-37.5; N2 + G2, 29.7-32.7). Verification in low-spiked meat showed that meat type/part significantly impacted the Ct values of N2 + G2 but not those of N2 + N2. To our knowledge, this is the first study that developed a highly accessible method for detecting C. burnetii in meat which could reveal the possibility of meat-borne Q fever in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Min Park
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsun Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Gyeonggi Province 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Suk Rhee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Harpring M, Cox JV. Plasticity in the cell division processes of obligate intracellular bacteria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1205488. [PMID: 37876871 PMCID: PMC10591338 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1205488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria divide through a highly conserved process called binary fission, in which there is symmetric growth of daughter cells and the synthesis of peptidoglycan at the mid-cell to enable cytokinesis. During this process, the parental cell replicates its chromosomal DNA and segregates replicated chromosomes into the daughter cells. The mechanisms that regulate binary fission have been extensively studied in several model organisms, including Eschericia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Caulobacter crescentus. These analyses have revealed that a multi-protein complex called the divisome forms at the mid-cell to enable peptidoglycan synthesis and septation during division. In addition, rod-shaped bacteria form a multi-protein complex called the elongasome that drives sidewall peptidoglycan synthesis necessary for the maintenance of rod shape and the lengthening of the cell prior to division. In adapting to their intracellular niche, the obligate intracellular bacteria discussed here have eliminated one to several of the divisome gene products essential for binary fission in E. coli. In addition, genes that encode components of the elongasome, which were mostly lost as rod-shaped bacteria evolved into coccoid organisms, have been retained during the reductive evolutionary process that some coccoid obligate intracellular bacteria have undergone. Although the precise molecular mechanisms that regulate the division of obligate intracellular bacteria remain undefined, the studies summarized here indicate that obligate intracellular bacteria exhibit remarkable plasticity in their cell division processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John V. Cox
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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12
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Sam G, Stenos J, Graves SR, Rehm BHA. Q fever immunology: the quest for a safe and effective vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:133. [PMID: 37679410 PMCID: PMC10484952 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00727-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is an infectious zoonotic disease, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Transmission occurs from livestock to humans through inhalation of a survival form of the bacterium, the Small Cell Variant, often via handling of animal parturition products. Q fever manifests as an acute self-limiting febrile illness or as a chronic disease with complications such as vasculitis and endocarditis. The current preventative human Q fever vaccine Q-VAX poses limitations on its worldwide implementation due to reactogenic responses in pre-sensitized individuals. Many strategies have been undertaken to develop a universal Q fever vaccine but with little success to date. The mechanisms of the underlying reactogenic responses remain only partially understood and are important factors in the development of a safe Q fever vaccine. This review provides an overview of previous and current experimental vaccines developed for use against Q fever and proposes approaches to develop a vaccine that establishes immunological memory while eliminating harmful reactogenic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Sam
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Stephen R Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, 2567, Australia
| | - Bernd H A Rehm
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia.
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13
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Tian S, Jiang BG, Liu WS, Chen HR, Gao ZH, Pu EN, Li YQ, Chen JJ, Fang LQ, Wang GL, Du CH, Wei YH. Zoonotic pathogens identified in rodents and shrews from four provinces, China, 2015-2022. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e174. [PMID: 37675640 PMCID: PMC10600915 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823001450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents and shrews are major reservoirs of various pathogens that are related to zoonotic infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate co-infections of zoonotic pathogens in rodents and shrews trapped in four provinces of China. We sampled different rodent and shrew communities within and around human settlements in four provinces of China and characterised several important zoonotic viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens by PCR methods and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 864 rodents and shrews belonging to 24 and 13 species from RODENTIA and EULIPOTYPHLA orders were captured, respectively. For viral pathogens, two species of hantavirus (Hantaan orthohantavirus and Caobang orthohantavirus) were identified in 3.47% of rodents and shrews. The overall prevalence of Bartonella spp., Anaplasmataceae, Babesia spp., Leptospira spp., Spotted fever group Rickettsiae, Borrelia spp., and Coxiella burnetii were 31.25%, 8.91%, 4.17%, 3.94%, 3.59%, 3.47%, and 0.58%, respectively. Furthermore, the highest co-infection status of three pathogens was observed among Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., and Anaplasmataceae with a co-infection rate of 0.46%. Our results suggested that species distribution and co-infections of zoonotic pathogens were prevalent in rodents and shrews, highlighting the necessity of active surveillance for zoonotic pathogens in wild mammals in wider regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Tian
- Institute of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Institute of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Wan-Shuang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hao-Rong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Hou Gao
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Epidemic Disease Prevention and Control technology, Yunnan, P.R. China
| | - En-Nian Pu
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Epidemic Disease Prevention and Control technology, Yunnan, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Qiong Li
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Epidemic Disease Prevention and Control technology, Yunnan, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Jin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Li-Qun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Guo-Lin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Epidemic Disease Prevention and Control technology, Yunnan, P.R. China
| | - Yue-Hong Wei
- Institute of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Institute of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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14
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Debowski AW, Bzdyl NM, Thomas DR, Scott NE, Jenkins CH, Iwasaki J, Kibble EA, Khoo CA, Scheuplein NJ, Seibel PM, Lohr T, Metters G, Bond CS, Norville IH, Stubbs KA, Harmer NJ, Holzgrabe U, Newton HJ, Sarkar-Tyson M. Macrophage infectivity potentiator protein, a peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase, essential for Coxiella burnetii growth and pathogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011491. [PMID: 37399210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a Gram-negative intracellular pathogen that causes the debilitating disease Q fever, which affects both animals and humans. The only available human vaccine, Q-Vax, is effective but has a high risk of severe adverse reactions, limiting its use as a countermeasure to contain outbreaks. Therefore, it is essential to identify new drug targets to treat this infection. Macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) proteins catalyse the folding of proline-containing proteins through their peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity and have been shown to play an important role in the virulence of several pathogenic bacteria. To date the role of the Mip protein in C. burnetii pathogenesis has not been investigated. This study demonstrates that CbMip is likely to be an essential protein in C. burnetii. The pipecolic acid derived compounds, SF235 and AN296, which have shown utility in targeting other Mip proteins from pathogenic bacteria, demonstrate inhibitory activities against CbMip. These compounds were found to significantly inhibit intracellular replication of C. burnetii in both HeLa and THP-1 cells. Furthermore, SF235 and AN296 were also found to exhibit antibiotic properties against both the virulent (Phase I) and avirulent (Phase II) forms of C. burnetii Nine Mile Strain in axenic culture. Comparative proteomics, in the presence of AN296, revealed alterations in stress responses with H2O2 sensitivity assays validating that Mip inhibition increases the sensitivity of C. burnetii to oxidative stress. In addition, SF235 and AN296 were effective in vivo and significantly improved the survival of Galleria mellonella infected with C. burnetii. These results suggest that unlike in other bacteria, Mip in C. burnetii is required for replication and that the development of more potent inhibitors against CbMip is warranted and offer potential as novel therapeutics against this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra W Debowski
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nicole M Bzdyl
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David R Thomas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Nichollas E Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Jua Iwasaki
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Emily A Kibble
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- DMTC Limited, Level 1, Kew, Australia
| | - Chen Ai Khoo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicolas J Scheuplein
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Pamela M Seibel
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Theresa Lohr
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Georgie Metters
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Charles S Bond
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Isobel H Norville
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Keith A Stubbs
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Harmer
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Living Systems Institute, Stocker Road Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hayley J Newton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mitali Sarkar-Tyson
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
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15
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Kodori M, Amani J, Meshkat Z, Ahmadi A. Coxiella burnetii Pathogenesis: Emphasizing the Role of the Autophagic Pathway. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2023; 78:785-796. [PMID: 38028822 PMCID: PMC10657931 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2023.361161.2636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), the etiological agent of the Q fever disease, ranks among the most sporadic and persistent global public health concerns. Ruminants are the principal source of human infections and diseases present in both acute and chronic forms. This bacterium is an intracellular pathogen that can survive and reproduce under acidic (pH 4 to 5) and harsh circumstances that contain Coxiella-containing vacuoles. By undermining the autophagy defense system of the host cell, C. burnetii is able to take advantage of the autophagy pathway, which allows it to improve the movement of nutrients and the membrane, thereby extending the vacuole of the reproducing bacteria. For this method to work, it requires the participation of many bacterial effector proteins. In addition, the precise and prompt identification of the causative agent of an acute disease has the potential to delay the onset of its chronic form. Moreover, to make accurate and rapid diagnoses, it is necessary to create diagnostic devices. This review summarizes the most recent research on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis approaches of C. burnetii. This study also explored the complicated relationships between C. burnetii and the autophagic pathway, which are essential for intracellular reproduction and survival in host cells for the infection to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kodori
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University, of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Non Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - J Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University, of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Z Meshkat
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - A Ahmadi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University, of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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MicroRNAs Contribute to Host Response to Coxiella burnetii. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0019922. [PMID: 36537791 PMCID: PMC9872603 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00199-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs, are critical to gene regulation in eukaryotes. They are involved in modulating a variety of physiological processes, including the host response to intracellular infections. Little is known about miRNA functions during infection by Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of human Q fever. This bacterial pathogen establishes a large replicative vacuole within macrophages by manipulating host processes such as apoptosis and autophagy. We investigated miRNA expression in C. burnetii-infected macrophages and identified several miRNAs that were down- or upregulated during infection. We further explored the functions of miR-143-3p, an miRNA whose expression is downregulated in macrophages infected with C. burnetii, and show that increasing the abundance of this miRNA in human cells results in increased apoptosis and reduced autophagy-conditions that are unfavorable to C. burnetii intracellular growth. In sum, this study demonstrates that C. burnetii infection elicits a robust miRNA-based host response, and because miR-143-3p promotes apoptosis and inhibits autophagy, downregulation of miR-143-3p expression during C. burnetii infection likely benefits the pathogen.
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17
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Zarza SM, Militello M, Gay L, Levasseur A, Lepidi H, Bechah Y, Mezouar S, Mege JL. Infection and Persistence of Coxiella burnetii Clinical Isolate in the Placental Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021209. [PMID: 36674725 PMCID: PMC9866107 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q fever, poses the risk of causing severe obstetrical complications in pregnant women. C. burnetii is known for its placental tropism based on animal models of infection. The Nine Mile strain has been mostly used to study C. burnetii pathogenicity but the contribution of human isolates to C. burnetii pathogenicity is poorly understood. In this study, we compared five C. burnetii isolates from human placentas with C. burnetii strains including Nine Mile (NM) as reference. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the Cb122 isolate was distinct from other placental isolates and the C. burnetii NM strain with a set of unique genes involved in energy generation and a type 1 secretion system. The infection of Balb/C mice with the Cb122 isolate showed higher virulence than that of NM or other placental isolates. We evaluated the pathogenicity of the Cb122 isolate by in vitro and ex vivo experiments. As C. burnetii is known to infect and survive within macrophages, we isolated monocytes and placental macrophages from healthy donors and infected them with the Cb122 isolate and the reference strain. We showed that bacteria from the Cb122 isolate were less internalized by monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) than NM bacteria but the reference strain and the Cb122 isolate were similarly internalized by placental macrophages. The Cb122 isolate and the reference strain survived similarly in the two macrophage types. While the Cb122 isolate and the NM strain stimulated a poorly inflammatory program in MDM, they elicited an inflammatory program in placenta macrophages. We also reported that the Cb122 isolate and NM strain were internalized by trophoblastic cell lines and primary trophoblasts without specific replicative profiles. Placental explants were then infected with the Cb122 isolate and the NM strain. The bacteria from the Cb122 isolate were enriched in the chorionic villous foetal side. It is likely that the Cb122 isolate exhibited increased virulence in the multicellular environment provided by explants. Taken together, these results showed that the placental isolate of C. burnetii exhibits a specific infectious profile but its pathogenic role is not as high as the host immune response in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Madariaga Zarza
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Muriel Militello
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Laetitia Gay
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Anthony Levasseur
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Hubert Lepidi
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Yassina Bechah
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Soraya Mezouar
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Jean-Louis Mege
- MEPHI, IRD, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Immunology Department, Assitance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille (APHM), 13005 Marseille, France
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18
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Khademi P, Ownagh A, Mardani K, Khalili M. PCR-RFLP of Coxiella burnetii Plasmids Isolated from Raw Milk Samples in Iran. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.30699/ijmm.17.1.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
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19
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Zhao QY, Zhang LY, Fu DY, Xu J, Chen P, Ye H. Lactobacillus spp. in the reproductive system of female moths and mating induced changes and possible transmission. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:308. [PMID: 36536275 PMCID: PMC9762107 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02724-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The microbiome in the insect reproductive tract is poorly understood. Our previous study demonstrated the presence of Lactobacillus spp. in female moths, but their distribution and function remain unclear. Lactobacillus spp. are known as the 'healthy' vaginal microbiome in humans. RESULTS Here, we studied the microbiome in the reproductive system (RS) and gut of Spodoptera frugiperda using 16S rDNA sequences. The obtained 4315 bacterial OTUs were classified into 61 phyla and 642 genera, with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota being the top three dominant phyla and Enterococcus and Asaia being dominant genera in most samples. Mating dramatically increased the abundance of pathogens or pathogenic functions in the gut, while in the RS, the change range was trivial. Taxonomy assignment identified thirteen Lactobacillus spp. in S. frugiperda, with Lactobacillus crustorum and Lactobacillus murinus showing high abundance. Three species found in S. frugiperda, namely L. reuteri, L. plantarum and L. brevis, have also been identified as human 'healthy' vaginal bacterial species. Lactobacillus spp. showed higher abundance in the RS of virgin females and lower abundance in the RS of virgin males and the gut of virgin females. Mating reduced their abundance in the RS of females but increased their abundance in the RS of males, especially in males mated with multiple females. The RS of virgin females and of multiple mated males were very similar in terms of composition and abundance of Lactobacillus species, with Lactobacillus crustorum showing much higher abundance in both tissues, potentially due to sexual transmission. CONCLUSIONS Lactobacillus spp. showed high abundance and diversity in the RS of female moths. The higher abundance of Lactobacillus spp. in the RS of female moths and the similarity of Lactobacillus species in female moths with human 'healthy' vaginal Lactobacillus spp. suggest that these bacterial strains are also an important microbiome in the RS of female moths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Yi Zhao
- grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Bailong Road 300#, Kunming, 650224 China ,grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Bailong Road 300#, Kunming, 650224 China
| | - Luo-Yan Zhang
- grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Bailong Road 300#, Kunming, 650224 China
| | - Da-Ying Fu
- grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Bailong Road 300#, Kunming, 650224 China
| | - Jin Xu
- grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Yunnan Academy of Biodiversity, Southwest Forestry University, Bailong Road 300#, Kunming, 650224 China ,grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Bailong Road 300#, Kunming, 650224 China
| | - Peng Chen
- grid.464490.b0000 0004 1798 048XYunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Lanan Road 2#, Kunming, 650201 China
| | - Hui Ye
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456School of Ecology and Environment, Yunnan University, Cuihu North Road 2#, Kunming, 650091 China
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20
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Souza EARD, André MR, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Q fever and coxiellosis in Brazil: an underestimated disease? A brief review. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e009822. [PMID: 36169506 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Q fever, caused by the γ-proteobacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis of great importance and global impact. This agent has high transmissibility and can spread over long distances via wind, in which a small number of aerosolized particles are needed to infect susceptible hosts. The clinical diagnosis of Q fever is difficult owing to the variety of clinical signs shared with other diseases. In Brazil, studies related to C. burnetii are constantly being conducted, and this review aims to increase the number of approaches already studied, leading to the following question: is Q fever an unknown, neglected disease, or does it have a focal occurrence in certain areas (exotic/rare) in the country?
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCA, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
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21
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Hayek I, Szperlinski M, Lührmann A. Coxiella burnetii Affects HIF1α Accumulation and HIF1α Target Gene Expression. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:867689. [PMID: 35755850 PMCID: PMC9218251 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.867689] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
HIF1α is an important transcription factor regulating not only cellular responses to hypoxia, but also anti-infective defense responses. We recently showed that HIF1α hampers replication of the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii which causes the zoonotic disease Q fever. Prior to development of chronic Q fever, it is assumed that the bacteria enter a persistent state. As HIF1α and/or hypoxia might be involved in the induction of C. burnetii persistence, we analyzed the role of HIF1α and hypoxia in the interaction of macrophages with C. burnetii to understand how the bacteria manipulate HIF1α stability and activity. We demonstrate that a C. burnetii-infection initially induces HIF1α stabilization, which decreases then over the course of an infection. This reduction depends on bacterial viability and a functional type IV secretion system (T4SS). While neither the responsible T4SS effector protein(s) nor the molecular mechanism leading to this partial HIF1α destabilization have been identified, our results demonstrate that C. burnetii influences the expression of HIF1α target genes in multiple ways. Therefore, a C. burnetii infection promotes HIF1α-mediated upregulation of several metabolic target genes; affects apoptosis-regulators towards a more pro-apoptotic signature; and under hypoxic conditions, shifts the ratio of the inflammatory genes analyzed towards a pro-inflammatory profile. Taken together, C. burnetii modulates HIF1α in a still elusive manner and alters the expression of multiple HIF1α target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inaya Hayek
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie and Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuela Szperlinski
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie and Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie and Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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22
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Coxiella burnetii Plasmid Effector B Promotes LC3-II Accumulation and Contributes To Bacterial Virulence in a SCID Mouse Model. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0001622. [PMID: 35587202 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00016-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of zoonotic Q fever, is characterized by replicating inside the lysosome-derived Coxiella-containing vacuole (CCV) in host cells. Some effector proteins secreted by C. burnetii have been reported to be involved in the manipulation of autophagy to facilitate the development of CCVs and bacterial replication. Here, we found that the Coxiella plasmid effector B (CpeB) localizes on vacuole membrane targeted by LC3 and LAMP1 and promotes LC3-II accumulation. Meanwhile, the C. burnetii strain lacking the QpH1 plasmid induced less LC3-II accumulation, which was accompanied by smaller CCVs and lower bacterial loads in THP-1 cells. Expression of CpeB in the strain lacking QpH1 led to restoration in LC3-II accumulation but had no effect on the smaller CCV phenotype. In the severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mouse model, infections with the strain expressing CpeB led to significantly higher bacterial burdens in the spleen and liver than its parent strain devoid of QpH1. We also found that CpeB targets Rab11a to promote LC3-II accumulation. Intratracheally inoculated C. burnetii resulted in lower bacterial burdens and milder lung lesions in Rab11a conditional knockout (Rab11a-/- CKO) mice. Collectively, these results suggest that CpeB promotes C. burnetii virulence by inducing LC3-II accumulation via a pathway involving Rab11a.
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23
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Osbron CA, Goodman AG. To die or not to die: Programmed cell death responses and their interactions with Coxiella burnetii infection. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:717-736. [PMID: 35020241 PMCID: PMC9018580 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular, macrophage-tropic bacterium and the causative agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever. The epidemiology of Q fever is associated with the presence of infected animals; sheep, goats, cattle, and humans primarily become infected by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. In humans, the acute phase of the disease is characterized primarily by influenza-like symptoms, and approximately 3-5% of the infected individuals develop chronic infection. C. burnetii infection activates many types of immune responses, and the bacteria's genome encodes for numerous effector proteins that interact with host immune signaling mechanisms. Here, we will discuss two forms of programmed cell death, apoptosis and pyroptosis. Apoptosis is a form of non-inflammatory cell death that leads to phagocytosis of small membrane-bound bodies. Conversely, pyroptosis results in lytic cell death accompanied by the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Both apoptosis and pyroptosis have been implicated in the clearance of intracellular bacterial pathogens, including C. burnetii. Finally, we will discuss the role of autophagy, the degradation of unwanted cellular components, during C. burnetii infection. Together, the review of these forms of programmed cell death will open new research questions aimed at combating this highly infectious pathogen for which treatment options are limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A Osbron
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164
| | - Alan G Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164.,Paul G. Allen School of Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164
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24
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Hartley MG, Norville IH, Richards MI, Barnes KB, Bewley KR, Vipond J, Rayner E, Vente A, Armstrong SJ, Harding SV. Finafloxacin, a Novel Fluoroquinolone, Reduces the Clinical Signs of Infection and Pathology in a Mouse Model of Q Fever. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:760698. [PMID: 34917048 PMCID: PMC8670379 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.760698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Finafloxacin is a novel fluoroquinolone with optimal antibacterial activity in low pH environments, therefore offering a therapeutic advantage over some traditional antibiotics, in treating bacterial infections associated with acidic foci. Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a bacterium which resides and replicates in acidic intracellular parasitic vacuoles. The efficacy of finafloxacin was evaluated in vivo using the A/J mouse model of inhalational Q fever and was compared to doxycycline, the standard treatment for this infection and ciprofloxacin, a comparator fluoroquinolone. Finafloxacin reduced the severity of the clinical signs of infection and weight loss associated with Q fever, but did not reduce the level of bacterial colonization in tissues compared to doxycycline or ciprofloxacin. However, histopathological analysis suggested that treatment with finafloxacin reduced tissue damage associated with C. burnetii infection. In addition, we report for the first time, the use of viable counts on axenic media to evaluate antibiotic efficacy in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gill Hartley
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel H Norville
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom.,College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Mark I Richards
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Kay B Barnes
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin R Bewley
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Vipond
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Rayner
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stuart J Armstrong
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah V Harding
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
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25
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Loterio RK, Zamboni DS, Newton HJ. Keeping the host alive - lessons from obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6424899. [PMID: 34755855 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammals have evolved sophisticated host cell death signaling pathways as an important immune mechanism to recognize and eliminate cell intruders before they establish their replicative niche. However, intracellular bacterial pathogens that have co-evolved with their host have developed a multitude of tactics to counteract this defense strategy to facilitate their survival and replication. This requires manipulation of pro-death and pro-survival host signaling pathways during infection. Obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens are organisms that absolutely require an eukaryotic host to survive and replicate, and therefore they have developed virulence factors to prevent diverse forms of host cell death and conserve their replicative niche. This review encapsulates our current understanding of these host-pathogen interactions by exploring the most relevant findings of Anaplasma spp., Chlamydia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii modulating host cell death pathways. A detailed comprehension of the molecular mechanisms through which these obligate intracellular pathogens manipulate regulated host cell death will not only increase the current understanding of these difficult-to-study pathogens but also provide insights into new tools to study regulated cell death and the development of new therapeutic approaches to control infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robson Kriiger Loterio
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, FMRP/USP. Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dario S Zamboni
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, FMRP/USP. Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Hayley J Newton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia
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26
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Sireci G, Badami GD, Di Liberto D, Blanda V, Grippi F, Di Paola L, Guercio A, de la Fuente J, Torina A. Recent Advances on the Innate Immune Response to Coxiella burnetii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:754455. [PMID: 34796128 PMCID: PMC8593175 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.754455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of a worldwide zoonosis known as Q fever. The pathogen invades monocytes and macrophages, replicating within acidic phagolysosomes and evading host defenses through different immune evasion strategies that are mainly associated with the structure of its lipopolysaccharide. The main transmission routes are aerosols and ingestion of fomites from infected animals. The innate immune system provides the first host defense against the microorganism, and it is crucial to direct the infection towards a self-limiting respiratory disease or the chronic form. This review reports the advances in understanding the mechanisms of innate immunity acting during C. burnetii infection and the strategies that pathogen put in place to infect the host cells and to modify the expression of specific host cell genes in order to subvert cellular processes. The mechanisms through which different cell types with different genetic backgrounds are differently susceptible to C. burnetii intracellular growth are discussed. The subsets of cytokines induced following C. burnetii infection as well as the pathogen influence on an inflammasome-mediated response are also described. Finally, we discuss the use of animal experimental systems for studying the innate immune response against C. burnetii and discovering novel methods for prevention and treatment of disease in humans and livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Sireci
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnostic and Biological Research (CLADIBIOR), Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Università degli studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giusto Davide Badami
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnostic and Biological Research (CLADIBIOR), Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Università degli studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Diana Di Liberto
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnostic and Biological Research (CLADIBIOR), Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone", Università degli studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Blanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Grippi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Di Paola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio Health and Biotechnology, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC -Spanish National Research Council CSIC - University of Castilla-La Mancha UCLM - Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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27
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Viana F, O'Kane CM, Schroeder GN. Precision-cut lung slices: A powerful ex vivo model to investigate respiratory infectious diseases. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:578-588. [PMID: 34570407 PMCID: PMC9298270 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory infections are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Most of the research on the underlying disease mechanisms is based on cell culture, organoid, or surrogate animal models. Although these provide important insights, they have limitations. Cell culture models fail to recapitulate cellular interactions in the lung and animal models often do not permit high‐throughput analysis of drugs or pathogen isolates; hence, there is a need for improved, scalable models. Precision‐cut lung slices (PCLS), small, uniform tissue slices generated from animal or human lungs are increasingly recognized and employed as an ex vivo organotypic model. PCLS retain remarkable cellular complexity and the architecture of the lung, providing a platform to investigate respiratory pathogens in a near‐native environment. Here, we review the generation and features of PCLS, their use to investigate the pathogenesis of viral and bacterial pathogens, and highlight their potential to advance respiratory infection research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Viana
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Cecilia M O'Kane
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Gunnar N Schroeder
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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28
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Hofmann J, Bitew MA, Kuba M, De Souza DP, Newton HJ, Sansom FM. Characterisation of putative lactate synthetic pathways of Coxiella burnetii. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255925. [PMID: 34388185 PMCID: PMC8362950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic pathogen Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of the human disease Q fever, is an ever-present danger to global public health. Investigating novel metabolic pathways necessary for C. burnetii to replicate within its unusual intracellular niche may identify new therapeutic targets. Recent studies employing stable isotope labelling established the ability of C. burnetii to synthesize lactate, despite the absence of an annotated synthetic pathway on its genome. A noncanonical lactate synthesis pathway could provide a novel anti-Coxiella target if it is essential for C. burnetii pathogenesis. In this study, two C. burnetii proteins, CBU1241 and CBU0823, were chosen for analysis based on their similarities to known lactate synthesizing enzymes. Recombinant GST-CBU1241, a putative malate dehydrogenase (MDH), did not produce measurable lactate in in vitro lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assays and was confirmed to function as an MDH. Recombinant 6xHis-CBU0823, a putative NAD+-dependent malic enzyme, was shown to have both malic enzyme activity and MDH activity, however, did not produce measurable lactate in either LDH or malolactic enzyme activity assays in vitro. To examine potential lactate production by CBU0823 more directly, [13C]glucose labelling experiments compared label enrichment within metabolic pathways of a cbu0823 transposon mutant and the parent strain. No difference in lactate production was observed, but the loss of CBU0823 significantly reduced 13C-incorporation into glycolytic and TCA cycle intermediates. This disruption to central carbon metabolism did not have any apparent impact on intracellular replication within THP-1 cells. This research provides new information about the mechanism of lactate biosynthesis within C. burnetii, demonstrating that CBU1241 is not multifunctional, at least in vitro, and that CBU0823 also does not synthesize lactate. Although critical for normal central carbon metabolism of C. burnetii, loss of CBU0823 did not significantly impair replication of the bacterium inside cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Hofmann
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mebratu A. Bitew
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Miku Kuba
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David P. De Souza
- Metabolomics Australia, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hayley J. Newton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona M. Sansom
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Neurotransmitter System-Targeting Drugs Antagonize Growth of the Q Fever Agent, Coxiella burnetii, in Human Cells. mSphere 2021; 6:e0044221. [PMID: 34232075 PMCID: PMC8386451 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00442-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious, intracellular, Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that causes human Q fever, an acute flu-like illness that can progress to chronic endocarditis. C. burnetii is transmitted to humans via aerosols and has long been considered a potential biological warfare agent. Although antibiotics, such as doxycycline, effectively treat acute Q fever, a recently identified antibiotic-resistant strain demonstrates the ability of C. burnetii to resist traditional antimicrobials, and chronic disease is extremely difficult to treat with current options. These findings highlight the need for new Q fever therapeutics, and repurposed drugs that target eukaryotic functions to prevent bacterial replication are of increasing interest in infectious disease. To identify this class of anti-C. burnetii therapeutics, we screened a library of 727 FDA-approved or late-stage clinical trial compounds using a human macrophage-like cell model of infection. Eighty-eight compounds inhibited bacterial replication, including known antibiotics, antipsychotic or antidepressant treatments, antihistamines, and several additional compounds used to treat a variety of conditions. The majority of identified anti-C. burnetii compounds target host neurotransmitter system components. Serotoninergic, dopaminergic, and adrenergic components are among the most highly represented targets and potentially regulate macrophage activation, cytokine production, and autophagy. Overall, our screen identified multiple host-directed compounds that can be pursued for potential use as anti-C. burnetii drugs. IMPORTANCECoxiella burnetii causes the debilitating disease Q fever in humans. This infection is difficult to treat with current antibiotics and can progress to long-term, potentially fatal infection in immunocompromised individuals or when treatment is delayed. Here, we identified many new potential treatment options in the form of drugs that are either FDA approved or have been used in late-stage clinical trials and target human neurotransmitter systems. These compounds are poised for future characterization as nontraditional anti-C. burnetii therapies.
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L Dragan A, E Voth D. Take my breath away: studying pathogen invasion of the human lung using primary tissue models. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6177680. [PMID: 33734371 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The human pulmonary environment is complex, containing a matrix of cells, including fibroblasts, epithelial cells, interstitial macrophages, alveolar macrophages and neutrophils. When confronted with foreign material or invading pathogens, these cells mount a robust response. Nevertheless, many bacterial pathogens with an intracellular lifecycle stage exploit this environment for replication and survival. These include, but are not limited to, Coxiella burnetii, Legionella pneumophila, Yersinia pestis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus. Currently, few human disease-relevant model systems exist for studying host-pathogen interactions during these bacterial infections in the lung. Here, we present two novel infection platforms, human alveolar macrophages (hAMs) and human precision-cut lung slices (hPCLS), along with an up-to-date synopsis of research using said models. Additionally, alternative uses for these systems in the absence of pathogen involvement are presented, such as tissue banking and further characterization of the human lung environment. Overall, hAMs and hPCLS allow novel human disease-relevant investigations that other models, such as cell lines and animal models, cannot completely provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Dragan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Daniel E Voth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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Swart AL, Gomez-Valero L, Buchrieser C, Hilbi H. Evolution and function of bacterial RCC1 repeat effectors. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13246. [PMID: 32720355 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular bacterial pathogens harbour genes, the closest homologues of which are found in eukaryotes. Regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1) repeat proteins are phylogenetically widespread and implicated in protein-protein interactions, such as the activation of the small GTPase Ran by its cognate guanine nucleotide exchange factor, RCC1. Legionella pneumophila and Coxiella burnetii, the causative agents of Legionnaires' disease and Q fever, respectively, harbour RCC1 repeat coding genes. Legionella pneumophila secretes the RCC1 repeat 'effector' proteins LegG1, PpgA and PieG into eukaryotic host cells, where they promote the activation of the pleiotropic small GTPase Ran, microtubule stabilisation, pathogen vacuole motility and intracellular bacterial growth as well as host cell migration. The RCC1 repeat effectors localise to the pathogen vacuole or the host plasma membrane and target distinct components of the Ran GTPase cycle, including Ran modulators and the small GTPase itself. Coxiella burnetii translocates the RCC1 repeat effector NopA into host cells, where the protein localises to nucleoli. NopA binds to Ran GTPase and promotes the nuclear accumulation of Ran(GTP), thus pertubing the import of the transcription factor NF-κB and innate immune signalling. Hence, divergent evolution of bacterial RCC1 repeat effectors defines the range of Ran GTPase cycle targets and likely allows fine-tuning of Ran GTPase activation by the pathogens at different cellular sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Leoni Swart
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Gomez-Valero
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie des Bactéries Intracellulaires, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 3525, Paris, France
| | - Carmen Buchrieser
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Biologie des Bactéries Intracellulaires, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 3525, Paris, France
| | - Hubert Hilbi
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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