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Esmaeilishirazifard E, Usher L, Trim C, Denise H, Sangal V, Tyson GH, Barlow A, Redway KF, Taylor JD, Kremyda-Vlachou M, Davies S, Loftus TD, Lock MMG, Wright K, Dalby A, Snyder LAS, Wuster W, Trim S, Moschos SA. Bacterial Adaptation to Venom in Snakes and Arachnida. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0240821. [PMID: 35604233 PMCID: PMC9248900 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02408-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are considered sterile sources of antimicrobial compounds with strong membrane-disrupting activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, venomous bite wound infections are common in developing nations. Investigating the envenomation organ and venom microbiota of five snake and two spider species, we observed venom community structures that depend on the host venomous animal species and evidenced recovery of viable microorganisms from black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) and Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis) venoms. Among the bacterial isolates recovered from N. nigricollis, we identified two venom-resistant, novel sequence types of Enterococcus faecalis whose genomes feature 16 virulence genes, indicating infectious potential, and 45 additional genes, nearly half of which improve bacterial membrane integrity. Our findings challenge the dogma of venom sterility and indicate an increased primary infection risk in the clinical management of venomous animal bite wounds. IMPORTANCE Notwithstanding their 3 to 5% mortality, the 2.7 million envenomation-related injuries occurring annually-predominantly across Africa, Asia, and Latin America-are also major causes of morbidity. Venom toxin-damaged tissue will develop infections in some 75% of envenomation victims, with E. faecalis being a common culprit of disease; however, such infections are generally considered to be independent of envenomation. Here, we provide evidence on venom microbiota across snakes and arachnida and report on the convergent evolution mechanisms that can facilitate adaptation to black-necked cobra venom in two independent E. faecalis strains, easily misidentified by biochemical diagnostics. Therefore, since inoculation with viable and virulence gene-harboring bacteria can occur during envenomation, acute infection risk management following envenomation is warranted, particularly for immunocompromised and malnourished victims in resource-limited settings. These results shed light on how bacteria evolve for survival in one of the most extreme environments on Earth and how venomous bites must be also treated for infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Esmaeilishirazifard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- Westminster Genomic Services, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Usher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- Westminster Genomic Services, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carol Trim
- School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Hubert Denise
- EMBL-EBI European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vartul Sangal
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory H. Tyson
- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Research, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Axel Barlow
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Keith F. Redway
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - John D. Taylor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- Westminster Genomic Services, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Myrto Kremyda-Vlachou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Davies
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kstir Wright
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Dalby
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lori A. S. Snyder
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wolfgang Wuster
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Trim
- Venomtech, Ltd., Sandwich, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Sterghios A. Moschos
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- Westminster Genomic Services, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
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Almeida JR, Mendes B, Patiño RSP, Pico J, Laines J, Terán M, Mogollón NGS, Zaruma-Torres F, Caldeira CADS, da Silva SL. Assessing the stability of historical and desiccated snake venoms from a medically important Ecuadorian collection. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 230:108702. [PMID: 31911190 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Bothrops asper and Bothrops atrox are important venomous snakes from Ecuador responsible for the most of ophidic accidents, which in the past were treated with a national polyvant antivenom. For years, the venom pools were collected and stored at room temperature in a laboratory. Taking into account the controversial ability of desiccated samples to retain their biological effects and enzymatic activities, we investigated the biochemical and toxicological properties of venoms after years of storage. The proteomic profiles of historical venoms analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrophoresis are very similar. The fresh batches of venom were more lethal than those stored for years, just as the initial and current LD50 values of these samples changed. Significant differences were showed in the myotoxic and hemorrhagic activity of some venom pools, while no significant statistical differences were found for the edema activity. The enzymatic assays revealed a variation in proteolytic activity on azocasein and phospholipase A2 activity, and low differences were reported for thrombin-like serine protease activity. The maintenance of the proteomic profile and certain toxicological activities convert this venom library in a valuable source for research purposes. Nonetheless, the significative reduction of toxicological activities, such as hemorrhagic activity not feasible using these samples for the antivenom production.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.
| | - Bruno Mendes
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo S P Patiño
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - José Pico
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública (INSPI), Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Johanna Laines
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública (INSPI), Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - María Terán
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública (INSPI), Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Noroska G S Mogollón
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo, Ecuador
| | - Fausto Zaruma-Torres
- Facultad de Ciencias Química, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; Centro de Innovación de la Salud - EUS/EP, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
| | - Cleópatra A da S Caldeira
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas a Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz de Rondônia (Fiocruz Rondônia), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR)
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- Facultad de Ciencias Química, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; Centro de Innovación de la Salud - EUS/EP, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
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Aguiar WDS, Galizio NDC, Serino-Silva C, Sant’Anna SS, Grego KF, Tashima AK, Nishiduka ES, de Morais-Zani K, Tanaka-Azevedo AM. Comparative compositional and functional analyses of Bothrops moojeni specimens reveal several individual variations. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222206. [PMID: 31513632 PMCID: PMC6742229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake venoms are complex protein mixtures with different biological activities that can act in both their preys and human victims. Many of these proteins play a role in prey capture and in the digestive process of these animals. It is known that some snakes are resistant to the toxicity of their own venom by mechanisms not yet fully elucidated. However, it was observed in the Laboratory of Herpetology of Instituto Butantan that some Bothrops moojeni individuals injured by the same snake species showed mortalities caused by envenoming effects. This study analyzed the biochemical composition of 13 venom and plasma samples from Bothrops moojeni specimens to assess differences in their protein composition. Application of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed distinct venom protein profiles, but very homogeneous plasma profiles. Western Blotting (WB) was performed with plasma samples, which were submitted to incubation with the respective venom. Some individuals showed an immunorecognized band zone around 25 kDa, indicating interaction between the same individual plasma and venom proteins. Crossed-WB assay using non-self-plasma and venom showed that this variability is due to venom protein composition instead of plasma composition. These venoms presented higher caseinolytic, collagenolytic and coagulant activities than the venoms without these regions recognized by WB. Mass spectrometry analyses performed on two individuals revealed that these individuals present, in addition to higher protein concentrations, other exclusive proteins in their composition. When these same two samples were tested in vivo, the results also showed higher lethality in these venoms, but lower hemorrhagic activity than in the venoms without these regions recognized by WB. In conclusion, some Bothrops moojeni specimens differ in venom composition, which may have implications in envenomation. Moreover, the high individual venom variability found in this species demonstrates the importance to work with individual analyses in studies involving intraspecific venom variability and venom evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weslei da Silva Aguiar
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Nathália da Costa Galizio
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Caroline Serino-Silva
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Karen de Morais-Zani
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
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