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Freddi L, de la Garza-García JA, Al Dahouk S, Occhialini A, Köhler S. Brucella spp. are facultative anaerobic bacteria under denitrifying conditions. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0276723. [PMID: 37882559 PMCID: PMC10714718 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02767-23] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Respiration is a fundamental and complex process that bacteria use to produce energy. Despite aerobic respiration being the most common, some bacteria make use of a mode of respiration in the absence of oxygen, called anaerobic respiration, which can yield advantages in adaptation to various environmental conditions. Denitrification is part of this respiratory process ensuring higher respiratory flexibility under oxygen depletion. Here, we report for the first time the evidence of anaerobic growth of Brucella spp. under denitrifying conditions, which implies that this genus should be reconsidered as facultative anaerobic. Our study further describes that efficient denitrification is not equally found within the Brucella genus, with atypical species showing a greater ability to denitrify, correlated with higher expression of the genes involved, as compared to classical species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Freddi
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jorge A. de la Garza-García
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- German Environment Agency, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandra Occhialini
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Stephan Köhler
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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Scholz HC, Heckers KO, Appelt S, Geier-Dömling D, Schlegel P, Wattam AR. Isolation of Brucella inopinata from a White's tree frog ( Litoria caerulea): pose exotic frogs a potential risk to human health? Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1173252. [PMID: 37362939 PMCID: PMC10285381 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1173252] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cold-blooded hosts, particularly exotic frogs, have become a newly recognized reservoir for atypical Brucella species and strains worldwide, but their pathogenicity to humans remains largely unknown. Here we report the isolation and molecular characterization of a B. inopinata strain (FO700662) cultured from clinical samples taken from a captive diseased White's Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) in Switzerland. The isolation of B. inopinata from a frog along with other reports of human infection by atypical Brucella raises the question of whether atypical Brucella could pose a risk to human health and deserves further attention. Methods The investigations included histopathological analysis of the frog, bacterial culture and in-depth molecular characterization of strain FO700662 based on genome sequencing data. Results and Discussion Originally identified as Ochrobactrum based on its rapid growth and biochemical profile, strain FO700622 was positive for the Brucella- specific markers bcsp31 and IS711. It showed the specific banding pattern of B. inopinata in conventional Bruce-ladder multiplex PCR and also had identical 16S rRNA and recA gene sequences as B. inopinata. Subsequent genome sequencing followed by core genome-based MLST (cgMLST) analysis using 2704 targets (74% of the total chromosome) revealed only 173 allelic differences compared to the type strain of B. inopinata BO1T, while previously considered the closest related strain BO2 differed in 2046 alleles. The overall average nucleotide identity (ANI) between the type strain BO1T and FO700622 was 99,89%, confirming that both strains were almost identical. In silico MLST-21 and MLVA-16 also identified strain FO700662 as B. inopinata. The nucleotide and amino acid-based phylogenetic reconstruction and comparative genome analysis again placed the isolate together with B. inopinata with 100% support. In conclusion, our data unequivocally classified strain FO700622, isolated from an exotic frog, as belonging to B. inopinata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger C. Scholz
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Kim O. Heckers
- LABOklin GmbH and Co KG, Labor für klinische Diagnostik, Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Appelt
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Patrick Schlegel
- Kleintierpraxis Dr. med vet. Patrick Schlegel, Sargans, Switzerland
| | - Alice R. Wattam
- Biocomplexity Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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3
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Kurmanov B, Zincke D, Su W, Hadfield TL, Aikimbayev A, Karibayev T, Berdikulov M, Orynbayev M, Nikolich MP, Blackburn JK. Assays for Identification and Differentiation of Brucella Species: A Review. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081584. [PMID: 36014002 PMCID: PMC9416531 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is one of the most important and widespread bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Cases are reported annually across the range of known infectious species of the genus Brucella. Globally, Brucella melitensis, primarily hosted by domestic sheep and goats, affects large proportions of livestock herds, and frequently spills over into humans. While some species, such as Brucella abortus, are well controlled in livestock in areas of North America, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem supports the species in native wild ungulates with occasional spillover to livestock. Elsewhere in North America, other Brucella species still infect domestic dogs and feral swine, with some associated human cases. Brucella spp. patterns vary across space globally with B. abortus and B. melitensis the most important for livestock control. A myriad of other species within the genus infect a wide range of marine mammals, wildlife, rodents, and even frogs. Infection in humans from these others varies with geography and bacterial species. Control in humans is primarily achieved through livestock vaccination and culling and requires accurate and rapid species confirmation; vaccination is Brucella spp.-specific and typically targets single livestock species for distribution. Traditional bacteriology methods are slow (some media can take up to 21 days for bacterial growth) and often lack the specificity of molecular techniques. Here, we summarize the molecular techniques for confirming and identifying specific Brucella species and provide recommendations for selecting the appropriate methods based on need, sensitivity, and laboratory capabilities/technology. As vaccination/culling approaches are costly and logistically challenging, proper diagnostics and species identification are critical tools for targeting surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berzhan Kurmanov
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Diansy Zincke
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Wanwen Su
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Ted L. Hadfield
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Alim Aikimbayev
- Scientific Practical Center for Sanitary Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring, Ministry of Health, Almaty 050008, Kazakhstan
| | - Talgat Karibayev
- National Reference Veterinary Center, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Maxat Berdikulov
- National Reference Veterinary Center, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Mukhit Orynbayev
- Research Institute for Biological Special Problems, Otar, Zhambyl 080409, Kazakhstan
| | - Mikeljon P. Nikolich
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Jason K. Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Correspondence:
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4
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The Retrospective on Atypical Brucella Species Leads to Novel Definitions. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10040813. [PMID: 35456863 PMCID: PMC9025488 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Brucella currently comprises twelve species of facultative intracellular bacteria with variable zoonotic potential. Six of them have been considered as classical, causing brucellosis in terrestrial mammalian hosts, with two species originated from marine mammals. In the past fifteen years, field research as well as improved pathogen detection and typing have allowed the identification of four new species, namely Brucella microti, Brucella inopinata, Brucella papionis, Brucella vulpis, and of numerous strains, isolated from a wide range of hosts, including for the first time cold-blooded animals. While their genome sequences are still highly similar to those of classical strains, some of them are characterized by atypical phenotypes such as higher growth rate, increased resistance to acid stress, motility, and lethality in the murine infection model. In our review, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art knowledge about these novel Brucella sp., with emphasis on their phylogenetic positions in the genus, their metabolic characteristics, acid stress resistance mechanisms, and their behavior in well-established in cellulo and in vivo infection models. Comparison of phylogenetic classification and phenotypical properties between classical and novel Brucella species and strains finally lead us to propose a more adapted terminology, distinguishing between core and non-core, and typical versus atypical brucellae, respectively.
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Pathogenicity and Its Implications in Taxonomy: The Brucella and Ochrobactrum Case. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030377. [PMID: 35335701 PMCID: PMC8954888 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular pathogens of the genus Brucella are phylogenetically close to Ochrobactrum, a diverse group of free-living bacteria with a few species occasionally infecting medically compromised patients. A group of taxonomists recently included all Ochrobactrum organisms in the genus Brucella based on global genome analyses and alleged equivalences with genera such as Mycobacterium. Here, we demonstrate that such equivalencies are incorrect because they overlook the complexities of pathogenicity. By summarizing Brucella and Ochrobactrum divergences in lifestyle, structure, physiology, population, closed versus open pangenomes, genomic traits, and pathogenicity, we show that when they are adequately understood, they are highly relevant in taxonomy and not unidimensional quantitative characters. Thus, the Ochrobactrum and Brucella differences are not limited to their assignments to different “risk-groups”, a biologically (and hence, taxonomically) oversimplified description that, moreover, does not support ignoring the nomen periculosum rule, as proposed. Since the epidemiology, prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment are thoroughly unrelated, merging free-living Ochrobactrum organisms with highly pathogenic Brucella organisms brings evident risks for veterinarians, medical doctors, and public health authorities who confront brucellosis, a significant zoonosis worldwide. Therefore, from taxonomical and practical standpoints, the Brucella and Ochrobactrum genera must be maintained apart. Consequently, we urge researchers, culture collections, and databases to keep their canonical nomenclature.
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6
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Ouahrani-Bettache S, Jiménez De Bagüés MP, De La Garza J, Freddi L, Bueso JP, Lyonnais S, Al Dahouk S, De Biase D, Köhler S, Occhialini A. Lethality of Brucella microti in a murine model of infection depends on the wbkE gene involved in O-polysaccharide synthesis. Virulence 2020; 10:868-878. [PMID: 31635539 PMCID: PMC6844557 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1682762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella microti was isolated a decade ago from wildlife and soil in Europe. Compared to the classical Brucella species, it exhibits atypical virulence properties such as increased growth in human and murine macrophages and lethality in experimentally infected mice. A spontaneous rough (R) mutant strain, derived from the smooth reference strain CCM4915T, showed increased macrophage colonization and was non-lethal in murine infections. Whole-genome sequencing and construction of an isogenic mutant of B. microti and Brucella suis 1330 revealed that the R-phenotype was due to a deletion in a single gene, namely wbkE (BMI_I539), encoding a putative glycosyltransferase involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-polysaccharide biosynthesis. Complementation of the R-strains with the wbkE gene restored the smooth phenotype and the ability of B. microti to kill infected mice. LPS with an intact O-polysaccharide is therefore essential for lethal B. microti infections in the murine model, demonstrating its importance in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María P Jiménez De Bagüés
- Unidad de Tecnología en Producción y Sanidad Animal, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Luca Freddi
- IRIM, CNRS, University Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Juan P Bueso
- Laboratorio Agroalimentario, Gobierno de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela De Biase
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to the Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Latina, Italy
| | - Stephan Köhler
- IRIM, CNRS, University Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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7
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Eisenberg T, Schlez K, Fawzy A, Völker I, Hechinger S, Curić M, Schauerte N, Geiger C, Blom J, Scholz HC. Expanding the host range: infection of a reptilian host (Furcifer pardalis) by an atypical Brucella strain. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2020; 113:1531-1537. [PMID: 32699967 PMCID: PMC7481142 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-020-01448-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Atypical brucellae show deviant phenotypes and/or genotypes. Besides Brucella inopinata, B. microti and B. vulpis, atypical strains have been described infecting humans, rodents, amphibians and fish. They represent potential zoonotic agents. Here, we provide evidence that reptiles as the remaining poikilothermic vertebrate class also represent susceptible hosts for atypical Brucella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Eisenberg
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60/ Haus 13, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Karen Schlez
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60/ Haus 13, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ahmad Fawzy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60/ Haus 13, 35392, Giessen, Germany.,Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza Square, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Iris Völker
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60/ Haus 13, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Silke Hechinger
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60/ Haus 13, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mersiha Curić
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Schubertstr. 60/ Haus 13, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nicole Schauerte
- Frankfurt Zoo, Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christina Geiger
- Frankfurt Zoo, Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Holger C Scholz
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
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8
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A safe non-toxic Brucella abortus ghosts induce immune responses and confer protection in BALB/c mice. Mol Immunol 2020; 124:117-124. [PMID: 32559678 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis, which is caused by Brucella spp., is an important zoonotic infectious disease that can cause great hazard to public health and safety. However, the current vaccines have several drawbacks, including residual virulence for animals and humans. Bacterial ghost is the empty envelopes of bacteria, which emerge as a proper vaccine candidate. With the purpose of generating B. abortus ghosts and investigating the immunogenicity of bacterial ghosts as vaccine candidate, we used homologous recombination and bacterial ghost technologies to construct 2308ΔgntR ghost strain. Mice were injected with 2308ΔgntR ghost and the safety and immunogenicity of ghost were further evaluated. The mice inoculated with ghost showed no splenomegaly. The 2308ΔgntR ghost induced high protective immunity in BALB/c mice against challenge with S2308, and elicited an anti-Brucella-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) response and induced the secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Additionally, 2308ΔgntR ghost demonstrated strong spleen CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. These results suggest that 2308ΔgntR ghost is a potential vaccine candidate and may represent a promising new approach for vaccination against Brucella infection.
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9
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Survival of Brucella abortus S19 and other Brucella spp. in the presence of oxidative stress and within macrophages. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2020; 65:879-894. [PMID: 32462327 PMCID: PMC8219583 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-020-00798-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionary “success” of the genus Brucella depends on the ability to persist both in the environment as well as inside of even activated macrophages of the animal host. For that, the Brucellae produce catalase and superoxide dismutase to defend against oxidative stress. Since the deletion of the mglA gene in the B. abortus S19 vaccine strain resulted not only in an increased tolerance to H2O2 but also in the induction of cytokines in macrophages, we here investigated the effect of oxidative stress (Fe2+ and H2O2) on the survival of B. abortus S19 and the isogenic B. abortus S 19 ∆mglA 3.14 deletion mutant in comparison with B. neotomae 5K33, Brucella strain 83/13, and B. microti CCM4915. These Brucellae belong to different phylogenetic clades and show characteristic differences in the mgl-operon. From the various Brucellae tested, B. abortus S19 showed the highest susceptibility to oxidative stress and the lowest ability to survive inside of murine macrophages. B. abortus S19 ∆mglA 3.14 as well as B. neotomae, which also belongs to the classical core clade of Brucella and lacks the regulators of the mgl-operon, presented the highest degree of tolerance to H2O2 but not in the survival in macrophages. The latter was most pronounced in case of an infection with B. 83/13 and B. microti CCM4915. The various Brucellae investigated here demonstrate significant differences in tolerance against oxidative stress and different survival in murine macrophages, which, however, do not correlate directly.
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10
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Brucella neotomae Recapitulates Attributes of Zoonotic Human Disease in a Murine Infection Model. Infect Immun 2018; 87:IAI.00255-18. [PMID: 30373892 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00255-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Brucella are Gram-negative pathogens that cause chronic systemic infection in farm animals and zoonotic infection in humans. Study of the genus Brucella has been hindered by the need for biosafety level 3 select agent containment. Brucella neotomae, originally isolated from the desert pack rat, presented an opportunity to develop an alternative, non-select agent experimental model. Our prior in vitro work indicated that the cell biology and type IV secretion system (T4SS) dependence of B. neotomae intracellular replication were similar to observations for human-pathogenic select agent Brucella species. Therefore, here, we investigated the pathobiology of B. neotomae infection in the BALB/c mouse. During a sustained infectious course, B. neotomae replicated and persisted in reticuloendothelial organs. Bioluminescent imaging and histopathological and PCR-based analysis demonstrated that the T4SS contributed to efficient early infection of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; granuloma formation and hepatosplenomegaly; and early induction of Th1-associated cytokine gene expression. The infectious course and pathologies in the murine model showed similarity to prior observations of primate and native host infection with zoonotic Brucella species. Therefore, the B. neotomae BALB/c infection model offers a promising system to accelerate and complement experimental work in the genus Brucella.
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11
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Xu X, Ding Z, Li J, Liang J, Bu Z, Ding J, Yang Y, Lang X, Wang X, Yin R, Qian J. Newcastle disease virus-like particles containing the Brucella BCSP31 protein induce dendritic cell activation and protect mice against virulent Brucella challenge. Vet Microbiol 2018; 229:39-47. [PMID: 30642597 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis is a widespread zoonosis that poses a substantial threat to human and animal public health due to the absence of a sufficiently safe and efficient vaccine. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have been developed as novel vaccine candidates and suitable carrier platforms for the delivery of exogenous proteins. Herein, we constructed chimeric virus-like particles (cVLPs) assembled by a Newcastle disease virus (NDV) M protein and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Brucella BCSP31 protein (GPI-BCSP31). cVLPs-GPI-BCSP31 were highly efficient in murine dendritic cell (DC) activation, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, they elicited strong specific humoural immune responses detected through ELISA assay with inactivated Brucella and recombinant BCSP31 protein and by elevated cellular immune responses indicated by intracellular IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in CD3+CD4+ T and CD3+CD8+ T cells. Importantly, cVLPs-GPI-BCSP31 conferred protection against virulent Brucella melitensis strain 16 M challenge, comparable to the efficacy of Brucella vaccine strain M5. In summary, this study provides a new strategy for the development of a safe and effective vaccine candidate against virulent Brucella and further extends the application of NDV VLP-based vaccine platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Xu
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Zhuang Ding
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Jindou Li
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Jiaming Liang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Zhaoyang Bu
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Jiaxin Ding
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yanling Yang
- Institute of Special Wild Animal & Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Xulong Lang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Xinglong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Renfu Yin
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Jing Qian
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences / Key Laboratory for Veterinary Bio-Product Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210014, China.
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12
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Jaý M, Girault G, Perrot L, Taunay B, Vuilmet T, Rossignol F, Pitel PH, Picard E, Ponsart C, Mick V. Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Brucella microti-Like Bacteria From a Domestic Marsh Frog ( Pelophylax ridibundus). Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:283. [PMID: 30498697 PMCID: PMC6249338 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several Brucella isolates have been described in wild-caught and "exotic" amphibians from various continents and identified as B. inopinata-like strains. On the basis of epidemiological investigations conducted in June 2017 in France in a farm producing domestic frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) for human consumption of frog's legs, potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated from adults showing lesions (joint and subcutaneous abscesses). The bacteria were initially misidentified as Ochrobactrum anthropi using a commercial identification system, prior to being identified as Brucella spp. by MALDI-TOF assay. Classical phenotypic identification confirmed the Brucella genus, but did not make it possible to conclude unequivocally on species determination. Conventional and innovative bacteriological and molecular methods concluded that the investigated strain was very close to B. microti species, and not B. inopinata-like strains, as expected. The methods included growth kinetic, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, RT-PCR, Bruce-Ladder, Suis-Ladder, RFLP-PCR, AMOS-ERY, MLVA-16, the ectoine system, 16S rRNA and recA sequence analyses, the LPS pattern, in silico MLST-21, comparative whole-genome analyses (including average nucleotide identity ANI and whole-genome SNP analysis) and HRM-PCR assays. Minor polyphasic discrepancies, especially phage lysis and A-dominant agglutination patterns, as well as, small molecular divergences suggest the investigated strain should be considered a B. microti-like strain, raising concerns about its environmental persistence and unknown animal pathogenic and zoonotic potential as for other B. microti strains described to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryne Jaý
- ANSES/Paris-Est University, EU/OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Guillaume Girault
- ANSES/Paris-Est University, EU/OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Ludivine Perrot
- ANSES/Paris-Est University, EU/OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Benoit Taunay
- ANSES/Paris-Est University, EU/OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Thomas Vuilmet
- ANSES/Paris-Est University, EU/OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | | | | | - Claire Ponsart
- ANSES/Paris-Est University, EU/OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Virginie Mick
- ANSES/Paris-Est University, EU/OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
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13
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Vergnaud G, Hauck Y, Christiany D, Daoud B, Pourcel C, Jacques I, Cloeckaert A, Zygmunt MS. Genotypic Expansion Within the Population Structure of Classical Brucella Species Revealed by MLVA16 Typing of 1404 Brucella Isolates From Different Animal and Geographic Origins, 1974-2006. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1545. [PMID: 30050522 PMCID: PMC6052141 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown the usefulness of MLVA16 as a rapid molecular identification and classification method for Brucella species and biovars including recently described novel Brucella species from wildlife. Most studies were conducted on a limited number of strains from limited geographic/host origins. The objective of this study was to assess genetic diversity of Brucella spp. by MLVA16 on a larger scale. Thus, 1404 animal or human isolates collected from all parts of the world over a period of 32 years (1974-2006) were investigated. Selection of the 1404 strains was done among the approximately 4000 strains collection of the BCCN (Brucella Culture Collection Nouzilly), based on classical biotyping and on the animal/human/geographic origin over the time period considered. MLVA16 was performed on extracted DNAs using high throughput capillary electrophoresis. The 16 loci were amplified in four multiplex PCR reactions. This large scale study firstly confirmed the accuracy of MLVA16 typing for Brucella species and biovar identification and its congruence with the recently described Extended Multilocus Sequence Analysis. In addition, it allowed identifying novel MLVA11 (based upon 11 slowly evolving VNTRs) genotypes representing an increase of 15% relative to the previously known Brucella MLVA11 genotypes. Cluster analysis showed that among the MLVA16 genotypes some were genetically more distant from the major classical clades. For example new major clusters of B. abortus biovar 3 isolated from cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa were identified. For other classical species and biovars this study indicated also genotypic expansion within the population structure of classical Brucella species. MLVA proves to be a powerful tool to rapidly assess genetic diversity of bacterial populations on a large scale, as here on a large collection of strains of the genomically homogeneous genus Brucella. The highly discriminatory power of MLVA appears of particular interest as a first step for selection of Brucella strains for whole-genome sequencing. The MLVA data of this study were added to the public Brucella MLVA database at http://microbesgenotyping.i2bc.paris-saclay.fr. Current version Brucella_4_3 comprises typing data from more than 5000 strains including in silico data analysis of public whole genome sequence datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Vergnaud
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Yolande Hauck
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - David Christiany
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Brendan Daoud
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Christine Pourcel
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Isabelle Jacques
- ISP, INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR 1282, Nouzilly, France.,IUT de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Axel Cloeckaert
- ISP, INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR 1282, Nouzilly, France
| | - Michel S Zygmunt
- ISP, INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR 1282, Nouzilly, France
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14
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A safe and molecular-tagged Brucella canis ghosts confers protection against virulent challenge in mice. Vet Microbiol 2017; 204:121-128. [PMID: 28532790 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Canine brucellosis, caused by Brucella canis, is a persistent infectious reproductive disease in dogs. The absence of effective treatment to the intracellular pathogen and the irreversible consequence of infection makes the need of a specific vaccine urgent. Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are the empty envelopes of bacteria with no genome content inside, which emerge as a proper vaccine candidate due to its intact outer antigen. It is generally derived from a genetically engineered strain, through the expression of Bacteriophage phiX174 lysis E gene upon induction. In this study, we combined the homologous recombination (HR) and bacterial ghost technologies, generating a genetically stable B. canis ghost strain which bears no drug resistance gene. When the ghost strain grows to OD600 of 0.6, 100% inactivation can be achieved under 42°C in 60h. The resultant BGs showed guaranteed safety and comparable immunogenicity to a live vaccine. The bacterial B0419 protein was depleted during HR process, which is subsequently proved to work as a molecular tag in distinguishing natural infection and BGs immunization through ELISA. Additionally, the BGs also conferred protection against B. canis RM6/66 and B. melitensis 16M. Therefore, the application of current BGs as a vaccine candidate and the corresponding serological diagnostic approach may provide better B. canis prevention strategy.
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15
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Al Dahouk S, Köhler S, Occhialini A, Jiménez de Bagüés MP, Hammerl JA, Eisenberg T, Vergnaud G, Cloeckaert A, Zygmunt MS, Whatmore AM, Melzer F, Drees KP, Foster JT, Wattam AR, Scholz HC. Brucella spp. of amphibians comprise genomically diverse motile strains competent for replication in macrophages and survival in mammalian hosts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44420. [PMID: 28300153 PMCID: PMC5353553 DOI: 10.1038/srep44420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty-one small Gram-negative motile coccobacilli were isolated from 15 systemically diseased African bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus edulis), and were initially identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi by standard microbiological identification systems. Phylogenetic reconstructions using combined molecular analyses and comparative whole genome analysis of the most diverse of the bullfrog strains verified affiliation with the genus Brucella and placed the isolates in a cluster containing B. inopinata and the other non-classical Brucella species but also revealed significant genetic differences within the group. Four representative but molecularly and phenotypically diverse strains were used for in vitro and in vivo infection experiments. All readily multiplied in macrophage-like murine J774-cells, and their overall intramacrophagic growth rate was comparable to that of B. inopinata BO1 and slightly higher than that of B. microti CCM 4915. In the BALB/c murine model of infection these strains replicated in both spleen and liver, but were less efficient than B. suis 1330. Some strains survived in the mammalian host for up to 12 weeks. The heterogeneity of these novel strains hampers a single species description but their phenotypic and genetic features suggest that they represent an evolutionary link between a soil-associated ancestor and the mammalian host-adapted pathogenic Brucella species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Al Dahouk
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany.,RWTH Aachen University, Department of Internal Medicine III, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephan Köhler
- Université Montpellier, Centre d'études d'agents Pathogènes et Biotechnologies pour la Santé (CPBS), Montpellier, France.,CNRS, FRE3689, CPBS, Montpellier, France
| | - Alessandra Occhialini
- Université Montpellier, Centre d'études d'agents Pathogènes et Biotechnologies pour la Santé (CPBS), Montpellier, France.,CNRS, FRE3689, CPBS, Montpellier, France
| | - María Pilar Jiménez de Bagüés
- Unidad de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jens Andre Hammerl
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Gilles Vergnaud
- I2BC, CNRS, CEA, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Axel Cloeckaert
- ISP, INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR1282, Nouzilly, France
| | - Michel S Zygmunt
- ISP, INRA, Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR1282, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Falk Melzer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, German National Reference Laboratory for Animal Brucellosis, Jena, Germany
| | - Kevin P Drees
- University of New Hampshire, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- University of New Hampshire, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Alice R Wattam
- Biocomplexity Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Holger C Scholz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
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16
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Mühldorfer K, Wibbelt G, Szentiks CA, Fischer D, Scholz HC, Zschöck M, Eisenberg T. The role of 'atypical' Brucella in amphibians: are we facing novel emerging pathogens? J Appl Microbiol 2016; 122:40-53. [PMID: 27740712 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To discuss together the novel cases of Brucella infections in frogs with the results of published reports to extend our current knowledge on 'atypical' brucellae isolated from amphibians and to discuss the challenges we face on this extraordinary emerging group of pathogens. METHODS AND RESULTS Since our first description, an additional 14 isolates from four different frog species were collected. Novel isolates and a subset of Brucella isolates previously cultured from African bullfrogs were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and broth microdilution susceptibility testing. MALDI-TOF MS worked very efficiently for an accurate bacterial identification to the genus level. Within the cluster analysis, 'atypical' brucellae grouped distant from Brucella melitensis and were even more separated by FT-IR spectroscopy with respect to their geographical origin. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 14 antimicrobial substances are provided as baseline data on antimicrobial susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS The case history of Brucella infections in amphibians reveals a variety of pathologies ranging from localized manifestations to systemic infections. Some isolates seem to be capable of causing high mortality in zoological exhibitions putting higher demands on the management of endangered frog species. There is considerable risk in overlooking and misidentifying 'atypical' Brucella in routine diagnostics. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Brucella have only recently been described in cold-blooded vertebrates. Their presence in frog species native to Africa, America and Australia indicates a more common occurrence in amphibians than previously thought. This study provides an extensive overview of amphibian brucellae by highlighting the main features of their clinical significance, diagnosis and zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Mühldorfer
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - G Wibbelt
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - C A Szentiks
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - D Fischer
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - H C Scholz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - M Zschöck
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Giessen, Germany
| | - T Eisenberg
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Giessen, Germany
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17
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Eisenberg T, Riße K, Schauerte N, Geiger C, Blom J, Scholz HC. Isolation of a novel ‘atypical’ Brucella strain from a bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma). Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2016; 110:221-234. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-016-0792-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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18
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Soler-Lloréns PF, Quance CR, Lawhon SD, Stuber TP, Edwards JF, Ficht TA, Robbe-Austerman S, O'Callaghan D, Keriel A. A Brucella spp. Isolate from a Pac-Man Frog ( Ceratophrys ornata) Reveals Characteristics Departing from Classical Brucellae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:116. [PMID: 27734009 PMCID: PMC5040101 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella are highly infectious bacterial pathogens responsible for brucellosis, a frequent worldwide zoonosis. The Brucella genus has recently expanded from 6 to 11 species, all of which were associated with mammals; The natural host range recently expanded to amphibians after some reports of atypical strains from frogs. Here we describe the first in depth phenotypic and genetic characterization of a Brucella strains isolated from a frog. Strain B13-0095 was isolated from a Pac-Man frog (Ceratophyrus ornate) at a veterinary hospital in Texas and was initially misidentified as Ochrobactrum anthropi. We found that B13-0095 belongs to a group of early-diverging brucellae that includes Brucella inopinata strain BO1 and the B. inopinata-like strain BO2, with traits that depart significantly from those of the "classical" Brucella spp. Analysis of B13-0095 genome sequence revealed several specific features that suggest that this isolate represents an intermediate between a soil associated ancestor and the host adapted "classical" species. Like strain BO2, B13-0095 does not possess the genes required to produce the perosamine based LPS found in classical Brucella, but has a set of genes that could encode a rhamnose based O-antigen. Despite this, B13-0095 has a very fast intracellular replication rate in both epithelial cells and macrophages. Finally, another major finding in this study is the bacterial motility observed for strains B13-0095, BO1, and BO2, which is remarkable for this bacterial genus. This study thus highlights several novel characteristics in strains belonging to an emerging group within the Brucella genus. Accurate identification tools for such atypical Brucella isolates and careful evaluation of their zoonotic potential, are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro F. Soler-Lloréns
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1047, UFR de MédecineNîmes, France
- Université de Montpellier, U1047Nîmes, France
| | - Chris R. Quance
- Mycobacteria and Brucella Section, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of AgricultureAmes, IA, USA
| | - Sara D. Lawhon
- Clinical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX, USA
| | - Tod P. Stuber
- Mycobacteria and Brucella Section, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of AgricultureAmes, IA, USA
| | - John F. Edwards
- Clinical Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX, USA
| | - Thomas A. Ficht
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX, USA
| | - Suelee Robbe-Austerman
- Mycobacteria and Brucella Section, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of AgricultureAmes, IA, USA
| | - David O'Callaghan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1047, UFR de MédecineNîmes, France
- Université de Montpellier, U1047Nîmes, France
| | - Anne Keriel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1047, UFR de MédecineNîmes, France
- Université de Montpellier, U1047Nîmes, France
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19
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Marine Mammal Brucella Reference Strains Are Attenuated in a BALB/c Mouse Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150432. [PMID: 26959235 PMCID: PMC4784796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution with numerous animal host species. Since the novel isolation of Brucella spp. from marine mammals in 1994 the bacteria have been isolated from various marine mammal hosts. The marine mammal reference strains Brucella pinnipedialis 12890 (harbour seal, Phoca vitulina) and Brucella ceti 12891 (harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena) were included in genus Brucella in 2007, however, their pathogenicity in the mouse model is pending. Herein this is evaluated in BALB/c mice with Brucella suis 1330 as a control. Both marine mammal strains were attenuated, however, B. ceti was present at higher levels than B. pinnipedialis in blood, spleen and liver throughout the infection, in addition B. suis and B. ceti were isolated from brains and faeces at times with high levels of bacteraemia. In B. suis-infected mice serum cytokines peaked at day 7. In B. pinnipedialis-infected mice, levels were similar, but peaked predominantly at day 3 and an earlier peak in spleen weight likewise implied an earlier response. The inflammatory response induced pathology in the spleen and liver. In B. ceti-infected mice, most serum cytokine levels were comparable to those in uninfected mice, consistent with a limited inflammatory response, which also was indicated by restricted spleen and liver pathology. Specific immune responses against all three strains were detected in vitro after stimulation of splenocytes from infected mice with the homologous heat-killed brucellae. Antibody responses in vivo were also induced by the three brucellae. The immunological pattern of B. ceti in combination with persistence in organs and limited pathology has heretofore not been described for other brucellae. These two marine mammal wildtype strains show an attenuated pattern in BALB/c mice only previously described for Brucella neotomea.
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20
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Hammerl JA, Göllner C, Al Dahouk S, Nöckler K, Reetz J, Hertwig S. Analysis of the First Temperate Broad Host Range Brucellaphage (BiPBO1) Isolated from B. inopinata. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:24. [PMID: 26858702 PMCID: PMC4729917 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella species are important human and animal pathogens. Though, only little is known about mobile genetic elements of these highly pathogenic bacteria. To date, neither plasmids nor temperate phages have been described in brucellae. We analyzed genomic sequences of various reference and type strains and identified a number of putative prophages residing within the Brucella chromosomes. By induction, phage BiPBO1 was isolated from Brucella inopinata. BiPBO1 is a siphovirus that infects several Brucella species including Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis. Integration of the phage genome occurs adjacent to a tRNA gene in chromosome 1 (chr 1). The bacterial (attB) and phage (attP) attachment sites comprise an identical sequence of 46 bp. This sequence exists in many Brucella and Ochrobactrum species. The BiPBO1 genome is composed of a 46,877 bp double-stranded DNA. Eighty-seven putative gene products were determined, of which 32 could be functionally assigned. Strongest similarities were found to a temperate phage residing in the chromosome of Ochrobactrum anthropi ATCC 49188 and to prophages identified in several families belonging to the order rhizobiales. The data suggest that horizontal gene transfer may occur between Brucella and Ochrobactrum and underpin the close relationship of these environmental and pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens A. Hammerl
- Department of Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentBerlin, Germany
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21
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Grassini G, Pennacchietti E, Cappadocio F, Occhialini A, De Biase D. Biochemical and spectroscopic properties of Brucella microti glutamate decarboxylase, a key component of the glutamate-dependent acid resistance system. FEBS Open Bio 2015; 5:209-18. [PMID: 25853037 PMCID: PMC4382515 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella microti GadB shares many features with the Escherichia coli homolog. Brucella microti GadB undergoes auto-inactivation at pH above 5.5. Brucella microti GadB is activated by chloride ions, which are abundant in gastric secretions. Brucella microti GadB belongs to the GadB from ancestral and environmental brucellae.
In orally acquired bacteria, the ability to counteract extreme acid stress (pH ⩽ 2.5) ensures survival during transit through the animal host stomach. In several neutralophilic bacteria, the glutamate-dependent acid resistance system (GDAR) is the most efficient molecular system in conferring protection from acid stress. In Escherichia coli its structural components are either of the two glutamate decarboxylase isoforms (GadA, GadB) and the antiporter, GadC, which imports glutamate and exports γ-aminobutyrate, the decarboxylation product. The system works by consuming protons intracellularly, as part of the decarboxylation reaction, and exporting positive charges via the antiporter. Herein, biochemical and spectroscopic properties of GadB from Brucella microti (BmGadB), a Brucella species which possesses GDAR, are described. B. microti belongs to a group of lately described and atypical brucellae that possess functional gadB and gadC genes, unlike the most well-known “classical” Brucella species, which include important human pathogens. BmGadB is hexameric at acidic pH. The pH-dependent spectroscopic properties and activity profile, combined with in silico sequence comparison with E. coli GadB (EcGadB), suggest that BmGadB has the necessary structural requirements for the binding of activating chloride ions at acidic pH and for the closure of its active site at neutral pH. On the contrary, cellular localization analysis, corroborated by sequence inspection, suggests that BmGadB does not undergo membrane recruitment at acidic pH, which was observed in EcGadB. The comparison of GadB from evolutionary distant microorganisms suggests that for this enzyme to be functional in GDAR some structural features must be preserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Grassini
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Eugenia Pennacchietti
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Francesca Cappadocio
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Occhialini
- Université de Montpellier, Centre d'études d'agents Pathogènes et Biotechnologie pour la Santé (CPBS), F-34293 Montpellier, France ; CNRS, FRE 3689, CPBS, F-34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Daniela De Biase
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
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22
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Whatmore AM, Dale E, Stubberfield E, Muchowski J, Koylass M, Dawson C, Gopaul KK, Perrett LL, Jones M, Lawrie A. Isolation of Brucella from a White’s tree frog (Litoria caerulea). JMM Case Rep 2015. [DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.000017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M. Whatmore
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Emma‐Jane Dale
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Emma Stubberfield
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Jakub Muchowski
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Mark Koylass
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Claire Dawson
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Krishna K. Gopaul
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lorraine L. Perrett
- FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Brucellosis, OIE Brucellosis Reference Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Matthew Jones
- IDEXX Laboratories, , Grange House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby LS22 7DN, UK
| | - Alistair Lawrie
- Lawrie Veterinary Group, 25 Griffiths Street, Falkirk FK1 5QY, UK
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