1
|
Takai S, Mizuno Y, Suzuki Y, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Kirikae T. [Rhodococcus equi infections in humans: an emerging zoonotic pathogen]. Nihon Saikingaku Zasshi 2024; 79:15-24. [PMID: 38382971 DOI: 10.3412/jsb.79.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi is a facultative intracellular gram-positive coccobacillus which is a well-known cause of foal pneumonia and/or enteritis in equine veterinary medicine. More than 300 cases of R. equi infection have been reported since the first description of human disease in 1968. Most patients who become infected with R equi are immunocompromised, such as those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), recipients of organ transplantation, and patients receiving cancer treatment. However, there are increasing reports of the immunocompetent hosts. The pathogenicity of R. equi has been attributed to the presence of plasmid-encoded virulence-associated proteins (Vap). To date, three host-associated virulence plasmid types of R. equi have been identified as follows: the circular pVAPA and pVAPB, related, respectively, to equine and porcine isolates in 1991 and 1995, and a recently described linear pVAPN plasmid associated with bovine and caprine strains in 2015. More recently, these three plasmid types have been re-found in the human isolates which were isolated during 1980s to 1990s. Not only horses, but also pigs, goats, cattle and their environment should be considered as a potential source of R. equi for humans. In this review, we shed light on the current understanding of R. equi as an emerging zoonotic pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | | | - Yasunori Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Yukako Sasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Tsutomu Kakuda
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Teruo Kirikae
- Department of Microbiome Research, Department of Microbiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Eriksen E, Madsen AM, Afanou AK, Straumfors A, Eiler A, Graff P. Occupational exposure to inhalable pathogenic microorganisms in waste sorting. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 253:114240. [PMID: 37633050 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed microorganisms in personal inhalable work air samples aiming to identify potential human pathogens, and correlate exposure to adverse health outcomes in waste workers. Full-shift personal exposure was measured in six different waste sorting plants. Microbial concentrations in inhalable air samples were analysed using MALDI-TOF MS for cultivable, and next generation sequencing (NGS) for non-cultivable microorganisms. Concentrations of bacterial and fungal CFUs varied substantially within and between waste sorting plants, ranging from no identifiable organisms to a maximum concentration in the order of 105 CFU/m3. Bacillus and Staphylococcus were among the most abundant bacterial genera, whilst fungal genera were dominated by Aspergillus and Penicillium. Approximately 15% of all identified species were human pathogens classified in risk group 2, whereas 7% belonged to risk group 1. Furthermore, significant correlations between concentrations of fungi in risk group 1 and self-reported adverse symptoms, such as wheezing were identified in exposed workers. The combination of culture-based methods and NGS facilitated the investigation of infectious microbial species with potential pathophysiological properties as well as non-infectious biological agents in inhalable work air samples and thereby contributed to the risk assessment of occupational exposure in waste sorting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elke Eriksen
- STAMI, National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas Vei 8, 0363, Oslo, Norway; Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology, Department of Biosciences, Centre for Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Anne Mette Madsen
- The National Research Center for Work Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anani Komlavi Afanou
- STAMI, National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas Vei 8, 0363, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Straumfors
- STAMI, National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas Vei 8, 0363, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexander Eiler
- Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology, Department of Biosciences, Centre for Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Graff
- STAMI, National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas Vei 8, 0363, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Haubenthal T, Hansen P, Krämer I, Gindt M, Jünger-Leif A, Utermöhlen O, Haas A. Specific preadaptations of Rhodococcus equi cooperate with its Virulence-associated protein A during macrophage infection. Mol Microbiol 2023; 119:285-301. [PMID: 36627747 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Gram-positive Rhodococcus equi (Prescotella equi) is a lung pathogen of foals and immunocompromised humans. Intra-macrophage multiplication requires production of the bacterial Virulence-associated protein A (VapA) which is released into the phagosome lumen. VapA pH-neutralizes intracellular compartments allowing R. equi to multiply in an atypical macrophage phagolysosome. Here, we show that VapA does not support intra-macrophage growth of several other bacterial species demonstrating that only few bacteria have the specific preadaptations needed to profit from VapA. We show that the closest relative of R. equi, environmental Rhodococcus defluvii (Prescotella defluvii), does not multiply in macrophages at 37°C even when VapA is present because of its thermosensitivity but it does so once the infection temperature is lowered providing rare experimental evidence for 'thermal restriction'. Using growth experiments with isolated macrophage lysosomes and modified infection schemes we provide evidence that R. equi resists the attack by phagolysosome contents at low pH for several hours. During this time, R. equi produces and secretes VapA which enables it to grow at the expense of lysosome constituents. We present arguments that, under natural infection conditions, R. equi is VapA-less during the initial encounter with the host. This has important implications for vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Philipp Hansen
- Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ina Krämer
- Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mélanie Gindt
- Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Olaf Utermöhlen
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Albert Haas
- Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Minich D, Madden C, Navarro MA, Glowacki L, French-Kim K, Chan W, Evans MV, Soares K, Mrofchak R, Madan R, Ballash GA, LaPerle K, Paul S, Vodovotz Y, Uzal FA, Martinez M, Hausmann J, Junge RE, Hale VL. Gut microbiota and age shape susceptibility to clostridial enteritis in lorikeets under human care. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:7. [PMID: 35000619 PMCID: PMC8744333 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00148-7] [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: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enteritis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in lorikeets that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. In this study, we examine gut microbiota in two lorikeet flocks with enteritis (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium—CZA; Denver Zoo—DZ). Since 2012, the CZA flock has experienced repeated outbreaks of enteritis despite extensive diet, husbandry, and clinical modifications. In 2018, both CZA and DZ observed a spike in enteritis. Recent research has revealed that the gut microbiota can influence susceptibility to enteropathogens. We hypothesized that a dysbiosis, or alteration in the gut microbial community, was making some lorikeets more susceptible to enteritis, and our goal was to characterize this dysbiosis and determine the features that predicted susceptibility.
Results We employed 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize the cloacal microbiota in lorikeets (CZA n = 67, DZ n = 24) over time. We compared the microbiota of healthy lorikeets, to lorikeets with enteritis, and lorikeets susceptible to enteritis, with “susceptible” being defined as healthy birds that subsequently developed enteritis. Based on sequencing data, culture, and toxin gene detection in intestinal contents, we identified Clostridium perfringens type A (CZA and DZ) and C. colinum (CZA only) at increased relative abundances in birds with enteritis. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry further identified the presence of gram-positive bacilli and C. perfringens, respectively, in the necrotizing intestinal lesions. Finally, using Random Forests and LASSO models, we identified several features (young age and the presence of Rhodococcus fascians and Pseudomonas umsongensis) associated with susceptibility to clostridial enteritis. Conclusions We identified C. perfringens type A and C. colinum associated with lorikeet necrohemorrhagic enteritis at CZA and DZ. Susceptibility testing of isolates lead to an updated clinical treatment plan which ultimately resolved the outbreaks at both institutions. This work provides a foundation for understanding gut microbiota features that are permissive to clostridial colonization and host factors (e.g. age, prior infection) that shape responses to infection. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-021-00148-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Minich
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Christopher Madden
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Mauricio A Navarro
- California Animal Health & Food Safety Lab, University of California, Davis, San Bernardino, CA, USA.,Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Leo Glowacki
- Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kristen French-Kim
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Willow Chan
- Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Morgan V Evans
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kilmer Soares
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Ryan Mrofchak
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Rushil Madan
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Gregory A Ballash
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Krista LaPerle
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Comparative Pathology & Digital Imaging Shared Resource, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Subhadeep Paul
- Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yael Vodovotz
- Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Francisco A Uzal
- California Animal Health & Food Safety Lab, University of California, Davis, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Margaret Martinez
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Vanessa L Hale
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1902 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kang Y, Chen Y, Zhang Z, Shen H, Zhou W, Wu C. A case of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis caused by Rhodococcus kroppenstedtii. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:565. [PMID: 34120601 PMCID: PMC8201711 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06280-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhodococcus kroppenstedtii is an aerobic, gram-positive bacterium firstly identified in the environment, which has not been reported in human-related infection. Herein, we reported the first case of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis caused by R. kroppenstedtii which was identified by whole genome sequencing. CASE PRESENTATION A 69-year-old man was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain and fever. Over the last 2 years, he had been undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) due to end-stage renal disease. Clinical symptom and sign in combination with laboratory examinations supported the clinical diagnosis of PD-associated peritonitis. Thus, ceftizoxime and teicoplanin were empirically used after PD effluent was collected for bacterial culture. A gram-positive bacterium was found from the PD effluent culture, which could not be identified by either Vitek 2 Compact ANC card or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The strain was finally confirmed to be R. kroppenstedtii by whole genome sequencing (WGS) through the average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis. With a continuous treatment with teicoplanin and imipenem for 15 days and intraperitoneal catheter removed, the infection symptom was improved evidenced by a normal body temperature, also with white blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) dropped to normal levels. Peritoneal dialysis effluent culture showed a negative result. Then, hemodialysis and arteriovenous fistula angioplasty were performed, but the patient developed a progressive blood pressure loss, accompanied by multiple organ disorder, and died on Feb 25, 2020. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to report a peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis caused by R. kroppenstedtii which was identified by average nucleotide identity analysis based on WGS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Zhifeng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Han Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Wanqing Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China.
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pátek M, Grulich M, Nešvera J. Stress response in Rhodococcus strains. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 53:107698. [PMID: 33515672 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococci are bacteria which can survive under various extreme conditions, in the presence of toxic compounds, and in other hostile habitats. Their tolerance of unfavorable conditions is associated with the structure of their cell wall and their large array of enzymes, which degrade or detoxify harmful compounds. Their physiological and biotechnological properties, together with tools for their genetic manipulation, enable us to apply them in biotransformations, biodegradation and bioremediation. Many such biotechnological applications cause stresses that positively or negatively affect their efficiency. Whereas numerous reviews on rhodococci described their enzyme activities, the optimization of degradation or production processes, and corresponding technological solutions, only a few reviews discussed some specific effects of stresses on the physiology of rhodococci and biotechnological processes. This review aims to comprehensively describe individual stress responses in Rhodococcus strains, the interconnection of different types of stresses and their consequences for cell physiology. We examine here the responses to (1) environmental stresses (desiccation, heat, cold, osmotic and pH stress), (2) the presence of stress-inducing compounds (metals, organic compounds and antibiotics) in the environment (3) starvation and (4) stresses encountered during biotechnological applications. Adaptations of the cell envelope, the formation of multicellular structures and stresses induced by the interactions of hosts with pathogenic rhodococci are also included. The roles of sigma factors of RNA polymerase in the global regulation of stress responses in rhodococci are described as well. Although the review covers a large number of stressful conditions, our intention was to provide an overview of the selected stress responses and their possible connection to biotechnological processes, not an exhaustive survey of the scientific literature. The findings on stress responses summarized in this review and the demonstration of gaps in current knowledge may motivate researchers working to fill these gaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Pátek
- Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Michal Grulich
- Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Nešvera
- Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Neonatal bacteremia and oligoarthritis caused by Rhodococcus corynebacterioides/Rhodococcus kroppenstedtii. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 94:395-397. [PMID: 30857916 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
8
|
Current taxonomy of Rhodococcus species and their role in infections. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 37:2045-2062. [PMID: 30159693 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-018-3364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Rhodococcus is a genus of obligate aerobic, Gram-positive, partially acid-fast, catalase-positive, non-motile, and none-endospore bacteria. The genus Rhodococcus was first introduced by Zopf. This bacterium can be isolated from various sources of the environment and can grow well in non-selective medium. A large number of phenotypic characterizations are used to compare different species of the genus Rhodococcus, and these tests are not suitable for accurate identification at the genus and species level. Among nucleic acid-based methods, the most powerful target gene for revealing reliable phylogenetic relationships is 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA gene) sequence analysis, but this gene is unable to differentiation some of Rhodococcus species. To date, whole genome sequencing analysis has solved taxonomic complexities in this genus. Rhodococcus equi is the major cause of foal pneumonia, and its implication in human health is related to cases in immunocompromised patients. Macrolide family together with rifampicin is one of the most effective antibiotic agents for treatment rhodococcal infections.
Collapse
|