Evolution of genes on the Salmonella Virulence plasmid phylogeny revealed from sequencing of the virulence plasmids of S. enterica serotype Dublin and comparative analysis

Global spread characteristics of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases: A genomic epidemiology analysis

BACKGROUND

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing bacteria have spread worldwide and become a global public health concern. Plasmid-mediated transfer of ESBLs is an important route for resistance acquisition.

METHODS

We collected 1345 complete sequences of plasmids containing CTX-Ms from public database. The global transmission pattern of plasmids and evolutionary dynamics of CTX-Ms have been inferred. We applied the pan-genome clustering based on plasmid genomes and evolution analysis to demonstrate the transmission events.

FINDINGS

Totally, 48 CTX-Ms genotypes and 186 incompatible types of plasmids were identified. The geographical distribution of CTX-Ms showed significant differences across countries and continents. CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-55 were found to be the dominant genotypes in Asia, while CTX-M-1 played a leading role in Europe. The plasmids can be divided into 12 lineages, some of which forming distinct geographical clusters in Asia and Europe, while others forming hybrid populations. The Inc types of plasmids are lineage-specific, with the CTX-M-1_IncI1-I (Alpha) and CTX-M-65_IncFII (pHN7A8)/R being the dominant patterns of cross-host and cross-regional transmission. The IncI-I (Alpha) plasmids with the highest number, were presumed to form communication groups in Europe-Asia and Asia-America-Oceania, showing the transmission model as global dissemination and regional microevolution. Meanwhile, the main kinetic elements of blaCTX-Ms showed genotypic preferences. ISEcpl and IS26 were most frequently involved in the transfer of CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-65, respectively. IS15 has become a crucial participant in mediating the dissemination of blaCTX-Ms. Interestingly, blaTEM and blaCTX-Ms often coexisted in the same transposable unit. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance genes associated with aminoglycosides, sulfonamides and cephalosporins showed a relatively high frequency of synergistic effects with CTX-Ms.

CONCLUSIONS

We recognized the dominant blaCTX-Ms and mainstream plasmids of different continents. The results of this study provide support for a more effective response to the risks associated with the evolution of blaCTX-Ms-bearing plasmids, and lay the foundation for genotype-specific epidemiological surveillance of resistance, which are of important public health implications.

Recombination in Bacterial Genomes: Evolutionary Trends

Bacterial organisms have undergone homologous recombination (HR) and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) multiple times during their history. These processes could increase fitness to new environments, cause specialization, the emergence of new species, and changes in virulence. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of the impact and intensity of genetic exchanges and the location of recombination hotspots on the genome is necessary for understanding the dynamics of adaptation to various conditions. To this end, we aimed to characterize the functional impact and genomic context of computationally detected recombination events by analyzing genomic studies of any bacterial species, for which events have been detected in the last 30 years. Genomic loci where the transfer of DNA was detected pertained to mobile genetic elements (MGEs) housing genes that code for proteins engaged in distinct cellular processes, such as secretion systems, toxins, infection effectors, biosynthesis enzymes, etc. We found that all inferences fall into three main lifestyle categories, namely, ecological diversification, pathogenesis, and symbiosis. The latter primarily exhibits ancestral events, thus, possibly indicating that adaptation appears to be governed by similar recombination-dependent mechanisms.

Salmonella-Based Biorodenticides: Past Applications and Current Contradictions

The idea of using pathogens to control pests has existed since the end of the 19th century. Enterobacteria from the genus Salmonella, discovered at that time, are the causative agents of many serious diseases in mammals often leading to death. Mostly, the strains of Salmonella are able to infect a wide spectrum of hosts belonging to vertebrates, but some of them show host restriction. Several strains of these bacteria have been used as biorodenticides due to the host restriction until they were banned in many countries in the second part of the 20th century. The main reason for the ban was their potential pathogenicity for some domestic animals and poultry and the outbreaks of gastroenteritis in humans. Since that time, a lot of data regarding the host specificity and host restriction of different strains of Salmonella have been accumulated, and the complexity of the molecular mechanisms affecting it has been uncovered. In this review, we summarize the data regarding the history of studying and application of Salmonella-based rodenticides, discuss molecular systems controlling the specificity of Salmonella interactions within its multicellular hosts at different stages of infection, and attempt to reconstruct the network of genes and their allelic variants which might affect the host-restriction mechanisms.

A retrospective and regional approach assessing the genomic diversity of Salmonella Dublin

From a historically rare serotype, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Dublin slowly became one of the most prevalent Salmonella in cattle and raw milk cheese in some regions of France. We present a retrospective genomic analysis of 480 S. Dublin isolates to address the context, evolutionary dynamics, local diversity and the genesis processes of regional S. Dublin outbreaks events between 2015 and 2017. Samples were clustered and assessed for correlation against metadata including isolation date, isolation matrices, geographical origin and epidemiological hypotheses. Significant findings can be drawn from this work. We found that the geographical distance was a major factor explaining genetic groups in the early stages of the cheese production processes (animals, farms) while down-the-line transformation steps were more likely to host genomic diversity. This supports the hypothesis of a generalised local persistence of strains from animal to finished products, with occasional migration. We also observed that the bacterial surveillance is representative of diversity, while targeted investigations without genomics evidence often included unrelated isolates. Combining both approaches in phylogeography methods allows a better representation of the dynamics, of outbreaks.

Bacterial chromosomal mobility via lateral transduction exceeds that of classical mobile genetic elements

It is commonly assumed that the horizontal transfer of most bacterial chromosomal genes is limited, in contrast to the frequent transfer observed for typical mobile genetic elements. However, this view has been recently challenged by the discovery of lateral transduction in Staphylococcus aureus, where temperate phages can drive the transfer of large chromosomal regions at extremely high frequencies. Here, we analyse previously published as well as new datasets to compare horizontal gene transfer rates mediated by different mechanisms in S. aureus and Salmonella enterica. We find that the horizontal transfer of core chromosomal genes via lateral transduction can be more efficient than the transfer of classical mobile genetic elements via conjugation or generalized transduction. These results raise questions about our definition of mobile genetic elements, and the potential roles played by lateral transduction in bacterial evolution.

Epidemiological Analysis of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Dublin in German Cattle Herds Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin is a cattle-adapted serovar that causes enteritis and systemic diseases in animals. In Germany, S. Dublin is not detected or is very rarely detected in some federal states but is endemic in certain regions. Information on detailed genetic characteristics of S. Dublin is not available. An understanding of the paths and spreading of S. Dublin within and between regions and over time is essential to establish effective control strategies. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatic analysis were used to explore the genetic traits of S. Dublin and to determine their epidemiological context. Seventy-four S. Dublin strains collected in 2005 to 2018 from 10 federal states were studied. The phylogeny was analyzed using core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms (cgSNPs) and core-genome multilocus sequence typing. Genomic clusters at 100 cgSNPs, 40 cgSNPs, and 15 cgSNPs were selected for molecular epidemiology. WGS-based genoserotyping confirmed serotyping. Important specific virulence determinants were detected in all strains, but multidrug resistance in German S. Dublin organisms is uncommon. Use of different thresholds for cgSNP analysis enabled a broad view and also a detailed view of the occurrence of S. Dublin in Germany. Genomic clusters could be allocated nationwide, to a limited number of federal states, or to special regions only. Results indicate both persistence and spread of S. Dublin within and between federal states in short and longer time periods. However, to detect possible routes of infection or persistence of S. Dublin indicated by genomic analysis, information on the management of the cattle farms and contacts with corresponding farms are essential.

IMPORTANCESalmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin is a bovine host-adapted serovar that causes up to 50% of all registered outbreaks of salmonellosis in cattle in Germany. S. Dublin is not detected or is only rarely detected in some federal states but has been endemic in certain regions of the country for a long time. Information on genetic traits of the causative strains is essential to determine routes of infection. WGS and bioinformatic analysis should be used to explore the genetic characteristics of S. Dublin. Combining the genomic features of S. Dublin strains with information on the management of the cattle farms concerned should enable the detection of possible routes of infection or persistence of S. Dublin. This approach is regarded as a prerequisite to developing effective intervention strategies.

Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica Serovar Dublin in Cattle and Humans in Denmark, 1996 to 2016: a Retrospective Whole-Genome-Based Study

Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin is a cattle-adapted S. enterica serovar causing both intestinal and systemic infection in its bovine host, and it is also a serious threat to human health. The present study aimed to determine the population structure of S Dublin isolates obtained from Danish cattle herds and to investigate how cattle isolates relate to Danish human isolates, as well as to non-Danish human and bovine isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of 197 Danish cattle isolates from 1996 to 2016 identified three major clades corresponding to distinct geographical regions of cattle herds. Persistence of closely related isolates within the same herd and their circulation between epidemiologically linked herds for a period of more than 20 years were demonstrated. These findings suggest that a lack of internal biosecurity and, to some extent, also a lack of external biosecurity in the herds have played an important role in the long-term persistence of S Dublin in Danish cattle herds in the period investigated. Global population analysis revealed that Danish cattle isolates clustered separately from bovine isolates from other countries, whereas human isolates were geographically spread. Resistance genes were not commonly demonstrated in Danish bovine isolates; only the isolates within one Danish clade were found to often harbor two plasmids of IncFII/IncFIB and IncN types, the latter plasmid carrying bla _TEM-1, tetA, strA, and strB antibiotic resistance genes.IMPORTANCE S Dublin causes economic losses in cattle production, and the bacterium is a public health concern. A surveillance and control program has been in place in Denmark since 2002 with the ultimate goal to eradicate S Dublin from Danish cattle herds; however, a small proportion of herds have remained positive for many years. In this study, we demonstrate that herds with persistent infection often were infected with the same strain for many years, indicating that internal biosecurity has to be improved to curb the infection. Further, domestic cases of S Dublin infection in humans were found to be caused both by Danish cattle isolates and by isolates acquired abroad. This study shows the strength of whole-genome sequencing to obtain detailed information on epidemiology of S Dublin and allows us to suggest internal biosecurity as a main way to control this bacterium in Danish cattle herds.

Genetic and metabolic signatures of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica associated with animal sources at the pangenomic scale

BACKGROUND

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica is a public health issue related to food safety, and its adaptation to animal sources remains poorly described at the pangenome scale. Firstly, serovars presenting potential mono- and multi-animal sources were selected from a curated and synthetized subset of Enterobase. The corresponding sequencing reads were downloaded from the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) providing a balanced dataset of 440 Salmonella genomes in terms of serovars and sources (i). Secondly, the coregenome variants and accessory genes were detected (ii). Thirdly, single nucleotide polymorphisms and small insertions/deletions from the coregenome, as well as the accessory genes were associated to animal sources based on a microbial Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) integrating an advanced correction of the population structure (iii). Lastly, a Gene Ontology Enrichment Analysis (GOEA) was applied to emphasize metabolic pathways mainly impacted by the pangenomic mutations associated to animal sources (iv).

RESULTS

Based on a genome dataset including Salmonella serovars from mono- and multi-animal sources (i), 19,130 accessory genes and 178,351 coregenome variants were identified (ii). Among these pangenomic mutations, 52 genomic signatures (iii) and 9 over-enriched metabolic signatures (iv) were associated to avian, bovine, swine and fish sources by GWAS and GOEA, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the genetic and metabolic determinants of Salmonella adaptation to animal sources may have been driven by the natural feeding environment of the animal, distinct livestock diets modified by human, environmental stimuli, physiological properties of the animal itself, and work habits for health protection of livestock.

Genome analysis of antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and plasmid presence in Turkish Salmonella serovar Infantis isolates

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) isolates were found to have a multi-drug resistance profile (kanamycin, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, sulfonamide, and sometimes to ampicillin) and high prevalence (91%) in Turkish poultry in our previous studies. To investigate the mechanism behind multi-drug antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and high prevalence in Turkish poultry, 23 of the isolates were sequenced for comparative genomic analyses including: SNP-based comparison to S. Infantis from other countries, comparison of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMGs) with AMR phenotypes, and plasmid identification and annotation. Whole-genome SNP-based phylogenetic analysis found that all 23 Turkish S. Infantis isolates formed a distinct, well-supported clade, separate from 243 comparison S. Infantis genomes in GenomeTrakr identified as from the US and EU; the isolates most closely related to the cluster of these Turkish isolates were from Israel and Egypt. AMGs identified by bioinformatic analysis, without differentiating chromosomal or plasmid located genes, implied AMR phenotypes with 94% similarity overall to wet lab data, which was performed by phenotypic and conventional PCR methods. Most of the S. Infantis (21/23) isolates had identifiable plasmids, with 76% (16/21) larger than 100 kb and 48% (10/21) larger than 200 kb. A plasmid larger than 200 kb, with the incompatibility type of IncX1, similar to United States S. Infantis plasmid N55391 (99% query coverage and 99% identity overall), which itself is similar to Italian and Hungarian S. Infantis plasmids. Turkish S. Infantis plasmids had different beta-lactam resistance genes (bla_TEM-70, bla_TEM-148 and bla_TEM-₁₉₈) than the gene bla_CTX-M-65 found in S. Infantis plasmids from other countries. This is the first observation of these three genes in S. Infantis isolates. The plasmids larger than 200 kb had two distinct regions of interest: Site 1 and Site 2. Site 1 (around 130 kb) had virulence- and bacteriocin- associated genes such as bacteriocin secretion system and type II toxin-antitoxin system genes (vagC, ccdA, ccdB, mchE, cvaB) and an aminoglycoside resistance gene (str). Site 2 (around 75-110 kb) had the antimicrobial resistance genes (aadA, sulI, tetA, tetR) and mercury (mer) resistance gene on tranposons Tn552 and Tn501. Presence of these AMR and virulence genes suggests they may have a role in the emergence of S. Infantis in poultry and support treating this serotype as a an important human health hazard.

Genomic Investigation of the Emergence of Invasive Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Dublin in Humans and Animals in Canada

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin is a zoonotic pathogen that often leads to invasive bloodstream infections in humans that are multidrug resistant. Described here are the results of Canadian national surveillance of S Dublin from 2003 to 2015 in humans and bovines, principally collected through the Canadian Integrated Program for Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). An increase in human infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) S Dublin was observed in 2010, many of which were bloodstream infections. Phylogenomic analysis of human and bovine isolates revealed a closely related network that differed by only 0 to 17 single nucleotide variants (SNVs), suggesting some potential transmission between humans and bovines. Phylogenomic comparison of global publicly available sequences of S Dublin showed that Canadian isolates clustered closely with those from the United States. A high correlation between phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility was observed in Canadian isolates. IS26 replication was widespread among U.S. and Canadian isolates and caused the truncation and inactivation of the resistance genes strA and blaTEM-1B A hybrid virulence and MDR plasmid (pN13-01125) isolated from a Canadian S Dublin isolate was searched against NCBI SRA data of bacteria. The pN13-01125 coding sequences were found in 13 Salmonella serovars, but S Dublin appears to be a specific reservoir. In summary, we have observed the rise of invasive MDR S Dublin in humans in Canada and found that they are closely related to bovine isolates and to American isolates in their mobile and chromosomal contents.

Complete Closed Genome Sequences of Three Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Dublin Strains Isolated from Cattle at Harvest

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin is a host-adapted pathogen for cattle that can cause invasive disease in humans. To facilitate genomic comparisons characterizing virulence determinants of this pathogen, we present the complete genome sequences of three S. Dublin strains isolated from bovine sources at harvest.

An IncX1 plasmid isolated from Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Pullorum carrying blaTEM-1B, sul2, arsenic resistant operons

We have identified an IncX1 plasmid named pQJDSal1 from Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Pullorum (S. Pullorum). The plasmid is 67,685 bp in size and has 72 putative genes. pQJDSal1 harbors a conserved IncX1-type backbone with predicted regions for conjugation, replication and partitioning, as well as a toxin/antitoxin plasmid addiction system. Two regions (A and B) that have not been previously reported in IncX1 plasmids are inserted into the backbone. Region A (10.7 kb), inserted between parA and taxD, consists of a new Tn6168-like transposon containing an arsenic resistant operon arsB2CHR and sulfonamide resistance gene sul2. Region B contains another arsenic resistant operon arsADHR, resistance gene bla_TEM-1B and three transposable elements. Conjugation experiments showed that pQJDSal1 could transfer from S. Pullorum to Escherichia coli (E. coli) J53. Statistical analysis of 70 sequenced IncX1 plasmids revealed that IncX1 plasmids harbored various antibiotic resistance genes. The results highlight the importance of IncX1 plasmids in disseminating antibiotic resistance genes.

First gene-ontology enrichment analysis based on bacterial coregenome variants: insights into adaptations of Salmonella serovars to mammalian- and avian-hosts

Background

Many of the bacterial genomic studies exploring evolution processes of the host adaptation focus on the accessory genome describing how the gains and losses of genes can explain the colonization of new habitats. Consequently, we developed a new approach focusing on the coregenome in order to describe the host adaptation of Salmonella serovars.

Methods

In the present work, we propose bioinformatic tools allowing (i) robust phylogenetic inference based on SNPs and recombination events, (ii) identification of fixed SNPs and InDels distinguishing homoplastic and non-homoplastic coregenome variants, and (iii) gene-ontology enrichment analyses to describe metabolic processes involved in adaptation of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica to mammalian- (S. Dublin), multi- (S. Enteritidis), and avian- (S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum) hosts.

Results

The ‘VARCall’ workflow produced a robust phylogenetic inference confirming that the monophyletic clade S. Dublin diverged from the polyphyletic clade S. Enteritidis which includes the divergent clades S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum (i). The scripts ‘phyloFixedVar’ and ‘FixedVar’ detected non-synonymous and non-homoplastic fixed variants supporting the phylogenetic reconstruction (ii). The scripts ‘GetGOxML’ and ‘EveryGO’ identified representative metabolic pathways related to host adaptation using the first gene-ontology enrichment analysis based on bacterial coregenome variants (iii).

Conclusions

We propose in the present manuscript a new coregenome approach coupling identification of fixed SNPs and InDels with regards to inferred phylogenetic clades, and gene-ontology enrichment analysis in order to describe the adaptation of Salmonella serovars Dublin (i.e. mammalian-hosts), Enteritidis (i.e. multi-hosts), Pullorum (i.e. avian-hosts) and Gallinarum (i.e. avian-hosts) at the coregenome scale. All these polyvalent Bioinformatic tools can be applied on other bacterial genus without additional developments.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-017-1132-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Salmonella Serovars from Milk and Chicken Meat by Real-Time PCR Using Unique Genomic Target Regions

A novel genomic and plasmid target-based PCR platform was developed for the detection of Salmonella serovars Heidelberg, Dublin, Hadar, Kentucky, and Enteritidis. Unique genome loci were obtained through extensive genome mining of protein databases and comparative genomic analysis of these serovars. Assays targeting Salmonella serovars Hadar, Heidelberg, Kentucky, and Dublin had 100% specificity and sensitivity, whereas those for Salmonella Enteritidis had 97% specificity and 88% sensitivity. The limits of detection for Salmonella serovars Heidelberg, Kentucky, Hadar, Enteritidis, and Dublin were 12, 9, 40, 13, and 5,280 CFU, respectively. A sensitivity assay was also performed by using milk artificially inoculated with pooled Salmonella serovars, yielding a detection limit of 1 to10 CFU/25 mL of milk samples after enrichment. The minimum DNA detected using the multiplexed TaqMan assay was 75.8 fg (1.53 × 101 genomic equivalents [GE]) for Salmonella Heidelberg, 140.8 fg (2.8 × 101 GE) for Salmonella Enteritidis, and 3.48 pg (6.96 × 102 GE) for Salmonella Dublin. PCR efficiencies were 89.8% for Salmonella Heidelberg, 94.5% for Salmonella Enteritidis, and 75.5% for Salmonella Dublin. Four types of 30 pasteurized milk samples were tested negative by culture techniques and with a genus-specific Salmonella invA gene PCR assay. Among 30 chicken samples similarly tested, 12 (40%) were positive by both culture and the invA PCR. Testing of these 12 samples with the serovar-specific PCR assay detected single and mixed contamination with Salmonella Kentucky, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Salmonella Heidelberg. Five unique primers were designed and tested by multiplex conventional PCR in conjunction with the use of the multiplex TaqMan assay with three of the primers. The diagnostic assays developed in this study could be used as tools for routine detection of these five Salmonella serovars and for epidemiological investigations of foodborne disease outbreaks.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Drug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Isolates from Dairy Cattle and Humans in New York and Washington States Reveals Source and Geographic Associations

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica can be spread from cattle to humans through direct contact with animals shedding Salmonella as well as through the food chain, making MDR Salmonella a serious threat to human health. The objective of this study was to use whole-genome sequencing to compare antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium, Newport, and Dublin isolated from dairy cattle and humans in Washington State and New York State at the genotypic and phenotypic levels. A total of 90 isolates were selected for the study (37 S Typhimurium, 32 S Newport, and 21 S Dublin isolates). All isolates were tested for phenotypic antibiotic resistance to 12 drugs using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. AMR genes were detected in the assembled genome of each isolate using nucleotide BLAST and ARG-ANNOT. Genotypic prediction of phenotypic resistance resulted in a mean sensitivity of 97.2 and specificity of 85.2. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim resistance was observed only in human isolates (P < 0.05), while resistance to quinolones and fluoroquinolones was observed only in 6 S Typhimurium isolates from humans in Washington State. S Newport isolates showed a high degree of AMR profile similarity, regardless of source. S Dublin isolates from New York State differed from those from Washington State based on the presence/absence of plasmid replicons, as well as phenotypic AMR susceptibility/nonsusceptibility (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that distinct factors may contribute to the emergence and dispersal of AMR S. enterica in humans and farm animals in different regions.IMPORTANCE The use of antibiotics in food-producing animals has been hypothesized to select for AMR Salmonella enterica and associated AMR determinants, which can be transferred to humans through different routes. Previous studies have sought to assess the degree to which AMR livestock- and human-associated Salmonella strains overlap, as well as the spatial distribution of Salmonella's associated AMR determinants, but have often been limited by the degree of resolution at which isolates can be compared. Here, a comparative genomics study of livestock- and human-associated Salmonella strains from different regions of the United States shows that while many AMR genes and phenotypes were confined to human isolates, overlaps between the resistomes of bovine and human-associated Salmonella isolates were observed on numerous occasions, particularly for S Newport. We have also shown that whole-genome sequencing can be used to reliably predict phenotypic resistance across Salmonella isolated from bovine sources.

A Novel Hybrid Plasmid Carrying Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Genes in Salmonella enterica Serovar Dublin

Virulence plasmids and antibiotic resistance plasmids are usually maintained separately in Salmonella spp.; however, we report an instance of a hybrid plasmid (pN13-01125) in Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin. Review of the complete sequence of the 172,265-bp plasmid suggests that pN13-01125 is comprised of the previously described pSDVr and pSH696_135 plasmids and that the mechanism of hybridization likely involves IS6 (IS26) insertion sequence elements. The plasmid has a low conjugation frequency, confers resistance to six classes of antimicrobials, and contains a complete spv virulence operon.

One Health and Food-Borne Disease: Salmonella Transmission between Humans, Animals, and Plants

There are >2,600 recognized serovars of Salmonella enterica. Many of these Salmonella serovars have a broad host range and can infect a wide variety of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. In addition, Salmonella can grow in plants and can survive in protozoa, soil, and water. Hence, broad-host-range Salmonella can be transmitted via feces from wild animals, farm animals, and pets or by consumption of a wide variety of common foods: poultry, beef, pork, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, spices, and nuts. Broad-host-range Salmonella pathogens typically cause gastroenteritis in humans. Some Salmonella serovars have a more restricted host range that is associated with changes in the virulence plasmid pSV, accumulation of pseudogenes, and chromosome rearrangements. These changes in host-restricted Salmonella alter pathogen-host interactions such that host-restricted Salmonella organisms commonly cause systemic infections and are transmitted between host populations by asymptomatic carriers. The secondary consequences of efforts to eliminate host-restricted Salmonella serovars demonstrate that basic ecological principles govern the environmental niches occupied by these pathogens, making it impossible to thwart Salmonella infections without a clear understanding of the human, animal, and environmental reservoirs of these pathogens. Thus, transmission of S. enterica provides a compelling example of the One Health paradigm because reducing human infections will require the reduction of Salmonella in animals and limitation of transmission from the environment.

Genome analysis and CRISPR typing of Salmonella enterica serovar Virchow

Background

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Virchow has been recognized as a significant health burden in Asia, Australia and Europe. In addition to its global distribution, S. Virchow is clinically significant due to the frequency at which it causes invasive infections and its association with outbreaks arising from food-borne transmission. Here, we examine the genome of an invasive isolate of S. Virchow SVQ1 (phage type 8) from an outbreak in southeast Queensland, Australia. In addition to identifying new potential genotyping targets that could be used for discriminating between S. Virchow strains in outbreak scenarios, we also aimed to carry out a comprehensive comparative analysis of the S. Virchow genomes.

Results

Genome comparisons between S. Virchow SVQ1 and S. Virchow SL491, a previously published strain, identified a high degree of genomic similarity between the two strains with fewer than 200 single nucleotide differences. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) regions were identified as a highly variable region that could be used to discriminate between S. Virchow isolates. We amplified and sequenced the CRISPR regions of fifteen S. Virchow isolates collected from seven different outbreaks across Australia. We observed three allelic types of the CRISPR region from these isolates based on the presence/absence of the spacers and were able to discriminate S. Virchow phage type 8 isolates originating from different outbreaks. A comparison with 27 published Salmonella genomes found that the S. Virchow SVQ1 genome encodes 11 previously described Salmonella Pathogenicity Islands (SPI), as well as additional genomic islands including a remnant integrative conjugative element that is distinct from SPI-7. In addition, the S. Virchow genome possesses a novel prophage that encodes the Type III secretion system effector protein SopE, a key Salmonella virulence factor. The prophage shares very little similarity to the SopE prophages found in other Salmonella serovars suggesting an independent acquisition of sopE.

Conclusions

The availability of this genome will serve as a genome template and facilitate further studies on understanding the virulence and global distribution of the S. Virchow serovar, as well as the development of genotyping methods for outbreak investigations.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-389) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Salmonella pathogenicity and host adaptation in chicken-associated serovars

Enteric pathogens such as Salmonella enterica cause significant morbidity and mortality. S. enterica serovars are a diverse group of pathogens that have evolved to survive in a wide range of environments and across multiple hosts. S. enterica serovars such as S. Typhi, S. Dublin, and S. Gallinarum have a restricted host range, in which they are typically associated with one or a few host species, while S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium have broad host ranges. This review examines how S. enterica has evolved through adaptation to different host environments, especially as related to the chicken host, and continues to be an important human pathogen. Several factors impact host range, and these include the acquisition of genes via horizontal gene transfer with plasmids, transposons, and phages, which can potentially expand host range, and the loss of genes or their function, which would reduce the range of hosts that the organism can infect. S. Gallinarum, with a limited host range, has a large number of pseudogenes in its genome compared to broader-host-range serovars. S. enterica serovars such as S. Kentucky and S. Heidelberg also often have plasmids that may help them colonize poultry more efficiently. The ability to colonize different hosts also involves interactions with the host's immune system and commensal organisms that are present. Thus, the factors that impact the ability of Salmonella to colonize a particular host species, such as chickens, are complex and multifactorial, involving the host, the pathogen, and extrinsic pressures. It is the interplay of these factors which leads to the differences in host ranges that we observe today.

Conjugative transfer of an IncA/C plasmid-borne blaCMY-2 gene through genetic re-arrangements with an IncX1 plasmid

Background

Our observation that in the Mexican Salmonella Typhimurium population none of the ST19 and ST213 strains harbored both the Salmonella virulence plasmid (pSTV) and the prevalent IncA/C plasmid (pA/C) led us to hypothesize that restriction to horizontal transfer of these plasmids existed. We designed a conjugation scheme using ST213 strain YU39 as donor of the bla_CMY-2 gene (conferring resistance to ceftriaxone; CRO) carried by pA/C, and two E. coli lab strains (DH5α and HB101) and two Typhimurium ST19 strains (SO1 and LT2) carrying pSTV as recipients. The aim of this study was to determine if the genetic background of the different recipient strains affected the transfer frequencies of pA/C.

Results

YU39 was able to transfer CRO resistance, via a novel conjugative mechanism, to all the recipient strains although at low frequencies (10^-7 to 10^-10). The presence of pSTV in the recipients had little effect on the conjugation frequency. The analysis of the transconjugants showed that three different phenomena were occurring associated to the transfer of bla_CMY-2: 1) the co-integration of pA/C and pX1; 2) the transposition of the CMY region from pA/C to pX1; or 3) the rearrangement of pA/C. In addition, the co-lateral mobilization of a small (5 kb) ColE1-like plasmid was observed. The transconjugant plasmids involving pX1 re-arrangements (either via co-integration or ISEcp1-mediated transposition) obtained the capacity to conjugate at very high levels, similar to those found for pX1 (10^-1). Two versions of the region containing bla_CMY-2 were found to transpose to pX1: the large version was inserted into an intergenic region located where the “genetic load” operons are frequently inserted into pX1, while the short version was inserted into the stbDE operon involved in plasmid addiction system. This is the first study to report the acquisition of an extended spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistance gene by an IncX1 plasmid.

Conclusions

We showed that the transfer of the YU39 bla_CMY-2 gene harbored on a non- conjugative pA/C requires the machinery of a highly conjugative pX1 plasmid. Our experiments demonstrate the complex interactions a single strain can exploit to contend with the challenge of horizontal transfer and antibiotic selective pressure.

On the evolutionary history, population genetics and diversity among isolates of Salmonella Enteritidis PFGE pattern JEGX01.0004

Facile laboratory tools are needed to augment identification in contamination events to trace the contamination back to the source (traceback) of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis). Understanding the evolution and diversity within and among outbreak strains is the first step towards this goal. To this end, we collected 106 new S. Enteriditis isolates within S. Enteriditis Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern JEGX01.0004 and close relatives, and determined their genome sequences. Sources for these isolates spanned food, clinical and environmental farm sources collected during the 2010 S. Enteritidis shell egg outbreak in the United States along with closely related serovars, S. Dublin, S. Gallinarum biovar Pullorum and S. Gallinarum. Despite the highly homogeneous structure of this population, S. Enteritidis isolates examined in this study revealed thousands of SNP differences and numerous variable genes (n = 366). Twenty-one of these genes from the lineages leading to outbreak-associated samples had nonsynonymous (causing amino acid changes) changes and five genes are putatively involved in known Salmonella virulence pathways. While chromosome synteny and genome organization appeared to be stable among these isolates, genome size differences were observed due to variation in the presence or absence of several phages and plasmids, including phage RE-2010, phage P125109, plasmid pSEEE3072_19 (similar to pSENV), plasmid pOU1114 and two newly observed mobile plasmid elements pSEEE1729_15 and pSEEE0956_35. These differences produced modifications to the assembled bases for these draft genomes in the size range of approximately 4.6 to 4.8 mbp, with S. Dublin being larger (∼4.9 mbp) and S. Gallinarum smaller (4.55 mbp) when compared to S. Enteritidis. Finally, we identified variable S. Enteritidis genes associated with virulence pathways that may be useful markers for the development of rapid surveillance and typing methods, potentially aiding in traceback efforts during future outbreaks involving S. Enteritidis PFGE pattern JEGX01.0004.

Expansion of the IncX plasmid family for improved identification and typing of novel plasmids in drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

IncX plasmids are narrow host range plasmids of Enterobactericeae that have been isolated for over 50years. They are known to encode type IV fimbriae enabling their own conjugative transfer, and to provide accessory functions to their host bacteria such as resistance towards antimicrobial agents and biofilm formation. Previous plasmid-based replicon typing procedures have indicated that the prevalence of IncX plasmids is low among members of the Enterobacteriaceae. However, examination of a number of IncX-like plasmid sequences and their occurrence in various organisms suggests that IncX plasmid diversity and prevalence is underappreciated. To address these possible shortcomings, we generated additional plasmid sequences of IncX plasmids of interest and compared them to the genomes of all sequenced IncX-like plasmids. These comparisons revealed that IncX plasmids possess a highly syntenic plasmid backbone, but that they are quite divergent with respect to nucleotide and amino acid similarity. Based on phylogenetic comparisons of the sequenced IncX plasmids, the IncX plasmid group has been expanded to include at least four subtypes, IncX1-IncX4. A revised IncX plasmid replicon typing procedure, based upon these sequences and subtypes, was then developed. Use of this revised typing procedure revealed that IncX plasmid occurrence among bacterial populations is much more common than had previously been acknowledged. Thus, this revised procedure can be used to better discern the occurrence of IncX type plasmids among enterobacterial populations.

Reduction of Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis carrying large virulence plasmids after the foot and mouth disease outbreak in swine in southern Taiwan, and their independent evolution in human and pig

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) is a highly invasive zoonotic pathogen that causes bacteremia in humans and pigs. The prevalence of S. Choleraesuis in man has gradually decreased since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in pigs in 1997 in southern Taiwan. The goal of this study was to investigate the change in prevalence of S. Choleraesuis carrying the virulence plasmid (pSCV) in human and swine isolates collected in 1995-2005 and characterize these.

METHODS

380 isolates were collected from human and swine blood samples. Large pSCVs were determined by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance genes, and the phylogenetic association of these large pSCV were analyzed.

RESULTS

The number of isolates harboring the large pSCV was significantly reduced, and their prevalence differed between human and swine isolates. These large pSCVs were a recombinant of original 50-kb pSCV and R plasmid. In addition, some large pSCVs lacked two pSCV-specific deletion regions from pef to repC and from traT to samA. These large pSCVs carried the resistance genes bla(TEM,)aadA2, and sulI, as well as class I integrons of 0.65 and/or 1.9 kb in size, but were inconjugatible. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the large pSCV evolves independently in human and swine isolates.

CONCLUSION

S. Choleraesuis with large pSCV was significantly reduced after the foot and mouth disease outbreak and may evolve in human and swine specific isolates.

E622, a miniature, virulence-associated mobile element

Miniature inverted terminal repeat elements (MITEs) are nonautonomous mobile elements that have a significant impact on bacterial evolution. Here we characterize E622, a 611-bp virulence-associated MITE from Pseudomonas syringae, which contains no coding region but has almost perfect 168-bp inverted repeats. Using an antibiotic coupling assay, we show that E622 is transposable and can mobilize an antibiotic resistance gene contained between its borders. Its predicted parent element, designated TnE622, has a typical transposon structure with a three-gene operon, consisting of resolvase, integrase, and exeA-like genes, which is bounded by the same terminal inverted repeats as E622. A broader genome level survey of the E622/TnE622 inverted repeats identified homologs in Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Shewanella, Erwinia, Pantoea, and the cyanobacteria Nostoc and Cyanothece, many of which appear to encompass known virulence genes, including genes encoding toxins, enzymes, and type III secreted effectors. Its association with niche-specific genetic determinants, along with its persistence and evolutionary diversification, indicates that this mobile element family has played a prominent role in the evolution of many agriculturally and clinically relevant pathogenic bacteria.

Pathogenicity of SG 9R, a rough vaccine strain against fowl typhoid

SG 9R, a rough vaccine strain of Salmonella gallinarum, has been used for the prevention of fowl typhoid and paratyphoid in the world despite the presence of residual virulence. SG 9R-like rough strains have been recently isolated from fowl typhoid cases; however, molecular markers to differentiate SG 9R from field strains are not well-characterized and the molecular mechanisms of SG 9R residual virulence are unclear. Therefore, we analyzed LPS biosynthesis (rfa gene cluster) and virulence genes (spv, SPI-2) of both SG 9R and S. gallinarum rough field strains. SG 9R carried a unique nonsense mutation in rfaJ (TCA to TAA) and a shared rfaZ mutation (G-deletion) by rough and smooth S. gallinarum strains. SG 9R also carried intact SPI-2 and spvC, B, A, and R (except deleted spvD). SG 9R-like rough strains (n=10) carried identical mutations in virulence-related genes to SG 9R. SG 9R and SG 9R-like rough strains did not demonstrate significant mortality or liver lesions under normal conditions. However, fowl typhoid was successfully reproduced in the present study by SG 9R inoculation to 1-day-old male brown layer chicks per os following starvation. Therefore, the LPS defect may be one of the major mechanisms of SG 9R attenuation, and the possession of intact SPI-2, spvC, B, A, and R virulence genes may be associated with residual SG 9R virulence.

Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli bacteria, including strains with genes encoding the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and QnrS, in waterbirds on the Baltic Sea Coast of Poland

Individual cloacal swabs of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and of herring gulls (Larus argentatus), as well as samples of waterbird feces obtained in 2008 and 2009, were cultivated for Escherichia coli. Isolates of E. coli were tested for susceptibilities to 12 antimicrobial agents by the disk diffusion method. Moreover, the samples were subcultivated on MacConkey agar (MCA) containing cefotaxime (2 mg liter(-1)) to detect E. coli with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and subsequently on MCA supplemented with ciprofloxacin (0.05 mg liter(-1)) and MCA with nalidixic acid (20 mg liter(-1)) to isolate fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli. PCR was used to detect specific antibiotic resistance genes. We found 9 E. coli isolates producing ESBL with bla genes: bla(CTX-M-1) (6 isolates), bla(CTX-M-9) plus bla(TEM-1b) (1 isolate), bla(CTX-M-15) plus bla(OXA-1) (1 isolate), and bla(SHV-12) (1 isolate). In the isolate with bla(CTX-M-15), the gene aac(6)-Ib-cr was also detected. The bla genes were harbored by transferable plasmids of the IncN and IncI1 groups. Nine quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates with qnrS genes were found and characterized. The gene qnrS was associated with a Tn3-like transposon on the IncX1 plasmid together with bla(TEM-1) in two isolates. The gene qnrS was also harbored by conjugative plasmids of the IncN and IncX2 groups. Even if populations of wild birds are not directly influenced by antibiotic practice, we have demonstrated that antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains, including strains with various ESBL and qnrS genes, are found in the feces of wild birds on the coast of the Baltic Sea in Poland.

Conjugative plasmid transfer and adhesion dynamics in an Escherichia coli biofilm

A conjugative plasmid from the catheter-associated urinary tract infection strain Escherichia coli MS2027 was sequenced and annotated. This 42,644-bp plasmid, designated pMAS2027, contains 58 putative genes and is most closely related to plasmids belonging to incompatibility group X (IncX1). Plasmid pMAS2027 encodes two important virulence factors: type 3 fimbriae and a type IV secretion (T4S) system. Type 3 fimbriae, recently found to be functionally expressed in E. coli, played an important role in biofilm formation. Biofilm formation by E. coli MS2027 was specifically due to expression of type 3 fimbriae and not the T4S system. The T4S system, however, accounted for the conjugative ability of pMAS2027 and enabled a non-biofilm-forming strain to grow as part of a mixed biofilm following acquisition of this plasmid. Thus, the importance of conjugation as a mechanism to spread biofilm determinants was demonstrated. Conjugation may represent an important mechanism by which type 3 fimbria genes are transferred among the Enterobacteriaceae that cause device-related infections in nosocomial settings.

First report of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinant qnrS1 in an Escherichia coli strain of animal origin in Italy

A qnrS1-positive strain of Escherichia coli was detected among 73 poultry isolates showing ciprofloxacin MICs of > or =0.125 microg/ml. The qnrS1 gene was associated with a Tn3-like transposon, as previously described to occur in a Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis strain of animal origin, but the plasmid scaffold carrying this element resembled that of a plasmid previously identified in Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin. These elements suggest genetic exchanges among Salmonella and E. coli and a potential animal reservoir for the qnr genes.