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Naknaen A, Surachat K, Manit J, Jetwanna KWN, Thawonsuwan J, Pomwised R. Virulent properties and genomic diversity of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from environment, human, diseased fish. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0007924. [PMID: 38860819 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00079-24] [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: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Vibrio vulnificus infections, with high mortality rates in humans and aquatic animals, has escalated, highlighting a significant public health challenge. Currently, reliable markers to identify strains with high virulence potential are lacking, and the understanding of evolutionary drivers behind the emergence of pathogenic strains is limited. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of virulent genotypes and phenotypes to discern the infectious potential of V. vulnificus strains isolated from three distinct sources. Most isolates, traditionally classified as biotype 1, possessed the virulence-correlated gene-C type. Environmental isolates predominantly exhibited YJ-like alleles, while clinical and diseased fish isolates were significantly associated with the nanA gene and pathogenicity region XII. Hemolytic activity was primarily observed in the culture supernatants of clinical and diseased fish isolates. Genetic relationships, as determined by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis, suggested that strains originating from the same source tended to cluster together. However, multilocus sequence typing revealed considerable genetic diversity across clusters and sources. A phylogenetic analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms of diseased fish strains alongside publicly available genomes demonstrated a high degree of evolutionary relatedness within and across different isolation sources. Notably, our findings reveal no direct correlation between phylogenetic patterns, isolation sources, and virulence capabilities. This underscores the necessity for proactive risk management strategies to address pathogenic V. vulnificus strains emerging from environmental reservoirs.IMPORTANCEAs the global incidence of Vibrio vulnificus infections rises, impacting human health and marine aquacultures, understanding the pathogenicity of environmental strains remains critical yet underexplored. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the virulence potential and genetic relatedness of V. vulnificus strains, focusing on environmental origins. We conduct an extensive genotypic analysis and phenotypic assessment, including virulence testing in a wax moth model. Our findings aim to uncover genetic and evolutionary factors that drive pathogenic strain emergence in the environment. This research advances our ability to identify reliable virulence markers and understand the distribution of pathogenic strains, offering significant insights for public health and environmental risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ampapan Naknaen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Komwit Surachat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Jutamas Manit
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | | | - Jumroensri Thawonsuwan
- Department of Fisheries, Aquatic Animal Health Research and Development Division, Songkhla Aquatic Animal Health Research Center, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Rattanaruji Pomwised
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
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McDonald ND, Boyd EF. Structural and Biosynthetic Diversity of Nonulosonic Acids (NulOs) That Decorate Surface Structures in Bacteria. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:142-157. [PMID: 32950378 PMCID: PMC7855311 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nonulosonic acids (NulOs) are a diverse family of 9-carbon α-keto acid sugars that are involved in a wide range of functions across all branches of life. The family of NulOs includes the sialic acids as well as the prokaryote-specific NulOs. Select bacteria biosynthesize the sialic acid N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), and the ability to produce this sugar and its subsequent incorporation into cell-surface structures is implicated in a variety of bacteria-host interactions. Furthermore, scavenging of sialic acid from the environment for energy has been characterized across a diverse group of bacteria, mainly human commensals and pathogens. In addition to sialic acid, bacteria have the ability to biosynthesize prokaryote-specific NulOs, of which there are several known isomers characterized. These prokaryotic NulOs are similar in structure to Neu5Ac but little is known regarding their role in bacterial physiology. Here, we discuss the diversity in structure, the biosynthesis pathways, and the functions of bacteria-specific NulOs. These carbohydrates are phylogenetically widespread among bacteria, with numerous structurally unique modifications recognized. Despite the diversity in structure, the NulOs are involved in similar functions such as motility, biofilm formation, host colonization, and immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D McDonald
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - E Fidelma Boyd
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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