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Boyle AG, Rankin SC, O'Shea K, Stefanovski D, Peng J, Song J, Bau HH. Detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi in guttural pouch lavage samples using a loop-mediated isothermal nucleic acid amplification microfluidic device. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:1597-1603. [PMID: 33728675 PMCID: PMC8163136 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid point‐of‐care (POC) detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) would theoretically reduce the spread of strangles by identifying index and carrier horses. Hypothesis That the eqbE isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, and the same eqbE LAMP assay tested in a microfluidic device format, are comparable to a triplex real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay that is commonly used in diagnostic labs. Samples Sixty‐eight guttural pouch lavage (GPL) specimens from horses recovering from strangles. Methods Guttural pouch lavage specimens were tested for S. equi retrospectively using the benchtop eqbE LAMP, the eqbE LAMP microfluidic device, and compared to the triplex qPCR, that detects 2 S. equi‐specific genes, eqbE and SEQ2190, as the reference standard using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC). Results The 27/68 specimens were positive by benchtop eqbE LAMP, 31/64 by eqbE LAMP microfluidic device, and 12/67 by triplex qPCR. Using the triplex PCR as the reference, the benchtop eqbE LAMP showed excellent discrimination (ROC Area = 0.813, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.711‐0.915) as did the LAMP microfluidic device (ROC Area = 0.811, 95% CI = 0.529‐0.782). There was no significant difference between the benchtop LAMP and LAMP microfluidic device (ROC Area 0.813 ± 0.055 vs 0.811 ± 0.034, P = .97). Conclusions The eqbE LAMP microfluidic device detected S. equi in GPL specimens from convalescent horses. This assay shows potential for development as a POC device for rapid, sensitive, accurate, and cost‐efficient detection of S. equi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley G Boyle
- Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shelley C Rankin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kathleen O'Shea
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Darko Stefanovski
- Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jinzhao Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Haim H Bau
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Mitchell C, Steward KF, Charbonneau ARL, Walsh S, Wilson H, Timoney JF, Wernery U, Joseph M, Craig D, van Maanen K, Hoogkamer-van Gennep A, Leon A, Witkowski L, Rzewuska M, Stefańska I, Żychska M, van Loon G, Cursons R, Patty O, Acke E, Gilkerson JR, El-Hage C, Allen J, Bannai H, Kinoshita Y, Niwa H, Becú T, Pringle J, Guss B, Böse R, Abbott Y, Katz L, Leggett B, Buckley TC, Blum SE, Cruz López F, Fernández Ros A, Marotti Campi MC, Preziuso S, Robinson C, Newton JR, Schofield E, Brooke B, Boursnell M, de Brauwere N, Kirton R, Barton CK, Abudahab K, Taylor B, Yeats CA, Goater R, Aanensen DM, Harris SR, Parkhill J, Holden MTG, Waller AS. Globetrotting strangles: the unbridled national and international transmission of Streptococcus equi between horses. Microb Genom 2021; 7:mgen000528. [PMID: 33684029 PMCID: PMC8190609 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The equine disease strangles, which is characterized by the formation of abscesses in the lymph nodes of the head and neck, is one of the most frequently diagnosed infectious diseases of horses around the world. The causal agent, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, establishes a persistent infection in approximately 10 % of animals that recover from the acute disease. Such 'carrier' animals appear healthy and are rarely identified during routine veterinary examinations pre-purchase or transit, but can transmit S. equi to naïve animals initiating new episodes of disease. Here, we report the analysis and visualization of phylogenomic and epidemiological data for 670 isolates of S. equi recovered from 19 different countries using a new core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) web bioresource. Genetic relationships among all 670 S. equi isolates were determined at high resolution, revealing national and international transmission events that drive this endemic disease in horse populations throughout the world. Our data argue for the recognition of the international importance of strangles by the Office International des Épizooties to highlight the health, welfare and economic cost of this disease. The Pathogenwatch cgMLST web bioresource described herein is available for tailored genomic analysis of populations of S. equi and its close relative S. equi subspecies zooepidemicus that are recovered from horses and other animals, including humans, throughout the world. This article contains data hosted by Microreact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen F. Steward
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK
- Present address: Technology Networks, Sudbury, UK
| | | | - Saoirse Walsh
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK
- Present address: University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hayley Wilson
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK
- Present address: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Ulli Wernery
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucjan Witkowski
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Rzewuska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ilona Stefańska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Żychska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Ray Cursons
- University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | - Els Acke
- Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John Pringle
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bengt Guss
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Lisa Katz
- University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ellen Schofield
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK
- Present address: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Roxane Kirton
- Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Norwich, UK
- Present address: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Horsham, UK
| | | | - Khalil Abudahab
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ben Taylor
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Corin A. Yeats
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard Goater
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - David M. Aanensen
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simon R. Harris
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Present address: Microbiotica Limited, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Matthew T. G. Holden
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Andrew S. Waller
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Intervacc AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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D'Gama JD, Ma Z, Zhang H, Liu X, Fan H, Morris ERA, Cohen ND, Cywes-Bentley C, Pier GB, Waldor MK. A Conserved Streptococcal Virulence Regulator Controls the Expression of a Distinct Class of M-Like Proteins. mBio 2019; 10:e02500-19. [PMID: 31641092 PMCID: PMC6805998 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02500-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (SEZ) are group C streptococci that are important pathogens of economically valuable animals such as horses and pigs. Here, we found that many SEZ isolates bind to a monoclonal antibody that recognizes poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG), a polymer that is found as a surface capsule-like structure on diverse microbes. A fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-seq) screen, coupled with whole-genome sequencing, was used to search for genes for PNAG biosynthesis. Surprisingly, mutations in a gene encoding an M-like protein, szM, and the adjacent transcription factor, designated sezV, rendered strains PNAG negative. SezV was required for szM expression and transcriptome analysis showed that SezV has a small regulon. SEZ strains with inactivating mutations in either sezV or szM were highly attenuated in a mouse model of infection. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that linked sezV and szM homologues are present in all SEZ, S. equi subspecies equi (SEE), and M18 group A streptococcal (GAS) genomes in the database, but not in other streptococci. The antibody to PNAG bound to a wide range of SEZ, SEE, and M18 GAS strains. Immunochemical studies suggest that the SzM protein may be decorated with a PNAG-like oligosaccharide although an intact oligosaccharide substituent could not be isolated. Collectively, our findings suggest that the szM and sezV loci define a subtype of virulent streptococci and that an antibody to PNAG may have therapeutic applications in animal and human diseases caused by streptococci bearing SzM-like proteins.IMPORTANCE M proteins are surface-anchored virulence factors in group A streptococci, human pathogens. Here, we identified an M-like protein, SzM, and its positive regulator, SezV, in Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (SEZ), an important group of pathogens for domesticated animals, including horses and pigs. SzM and SezV homologues were found in the genomes of all SEZ and S. equi subspecies equi and M18 group A streptococcal strains analyzed but not in other streptococci. Mutant SEZ strains lacking either sezV or szM were highly attenuated in a mouse model of infection. Collectively, our findings suggest that SezV-related regulators and the linked SzM family of M-like proteins define a new subset of virulent streptococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D D'Gama
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhe Ma
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hongjie Fan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Bacteriology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ellen Ruth A Morris
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Noah D Cohen
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Colette Cywes-Bentley
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gerald B Pier
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew K Waldor
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Dong J, Gao N, Waller AS, Cook FR, Fan S, Yuan D, Du Y, Li F, Norimine J, Zhu W. An outbreak of strangles associated with a novel genotype of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in donkeys in China during 2018. Equine Vet J 2019; 51:743-748. [PMID: 30900775 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory disease of equids caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. OBJECTIVES To identify the cause of an outbreak of strangles that occurred on donkey farms within the Shandong Province of China and determine the prevalence of the disease. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS Samples were taken from clinically affected animals to measure the prevalence of strangles within the population of donkeys at six intensive farms in China and identify the SeM type of isolate recovered from affected animals. Diagnosis was confirmed by bacterial isolation, biochemical tests and PCR. Epidemiological data were analysed using Chi-square test and a Fisher's exact two-sided test. The SeM gene of S. equi isolates recovered from affected animals was determined and compared with the SeM database PubMLST-seM. RESULTS In July and August 2018, an outbreak of strangles occurred on six donkey farms within the Shandong Province of China. The overall prevalence of disease within the different donkey herds was 13.4%. Younger animals were worst affected with 40.3% (83/206) of donkey foals aged under 1 year exhibiting clinical signs compared with 12.5% (191/1525) of donkeys aged one to 2 years and 3.8% (17/442) of donkeys over 2 years of age. Analysis of SeM sequencing data identified that the farms were affected by the same strain of S. equi, SD201807, which contains the novel 136 allele of SeM. MAIN LIMITATIONS Healthy donkeys were not sampled in this study. CONCLUSIONS The number of intensive donkey breeding farms in China has risen recently. The higher numbers of animals that are in closer proximity to one another raise the potential for the transmission of infectious diseases such as strangles. This is the first description of a strangles outbreak among donkey herds in China. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dong
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China.,Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - N Gao
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China
| | | | - F R Cook
- Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - S Fan
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China
| | - D Yuan
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China
| | - Y Du
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China
| | - F Li
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China
| | - J Norimine
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - W Zhu
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, China.,Shandong Donkey Industry Technology Collaborative Innovation Center, College of Agronomy, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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5
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Bao YJ, Li Y, Liang Z, Agrahari G, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Castellino FJ. Comparative pathogenomic characterization of a non-invasive serotype M71 strain Streptococcus pyogenes NS53 reveals incongruent phenotypic implications from distinct genotypic markers. Pathog Dis 2017; 75:3829887. [PMID: 28520869 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The strains serotyped as M71 from group A Streptococcus are common causes of pharyngeal and skin diseases worldwide. Here we characterize the genome of a unique non-invasive M71 human isolate, NS53. The genome does not contain structural rearrangements or large-scale gene gains/losses, but encodes a full set of non-truncated known virulence factors, thus providing an ideal reference for comparative studies. However, the NS53 genome showed incongruent phenotypic implications from distinct genotypic markers. NS53 is characterized as an emm pattern D and FCT (fibronectin-collagen-T antigen) type-3 strain, typical of skin tropic strains, but is phylogenetically close to emm pattern E strains with preference for both skin and pharyngeal infections. We propose that this incongruence could result from recombination within the emm gene locus, or, alternatively, selection has been against those genetic alterations. Combined with the inability to select for CovS switching, a process is indicated whereby NS53 has been pre-adapted to specific host niches selecting against variations in CovS and many other genes. This may allow the strain to attain successful colonization and long-term survival. A balance between genetic variations and fitness may exist for this bacterium to form a stabilized genome optimized for survival in specific host environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Juan Bao
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Yang Li
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Zhong Liang
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Garima Agrahari
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Shaun W Lee
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Victoria A Ploplis
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Francis J Castellino
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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6
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Bergmann S, Eichhorn I, Kohler TP, Hammerschmidt S, Goldmann O, Rohde M, Fulde M. SCM, the M Protein of Streptococcus canis Binds Immunoglobulin G. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:80. [PMID: 28401063 PMCID: PMC5368172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The M protein of Streptococcus canis (SCM) is a virulence factor and serves as a surface-associated receptor with a particular affinity for mini-plasminogen, a cleavage product of the broad-spectrum serine protease plasmin. Here, we report that SCM has an additional high-affinity immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding activity. The ability of a particular S. canis isolate to bind to IgG significantly correlates with a scm-positive phenotype, suggesting a dominant role of SCM as an IgG receptor. Subsequent heterologous expression of SCM in non-IgG binding S. gordonii and Western Blot analysis with purified recombinant SCM proteins confirmed its IgG receptor function. As expected for a zoonotic agent, the SCM-IgG interaction is species-unspecific, with a particular affinity of SCM for IgGs derived from human, cats, dogs, horses, mice, and rabbits, but not from cows and goats. Similar to other streptococcal IgG-binding proteins, the interaction between SCM and IgG occurs via the conserved Fc domain and is, therefore, non-opsonic. Interestingly, the interaction between SCM and IgG-Fc on the bacterial surface specifically prevents opsonization by C1q, which might constitute another anti-phagocytic mechanism of SCM. Extensive binding analyses with a variety of different truncated SCM fragments defined a region of 52 amino acids located in the central part of the mature SCM protein which is important for IgG binding. This binding region is highly conserved among SCM proteins derived from different S. canis isolates but differs significantly from IgG-Fc receptors of S. pyogenes and S. dysgalactiae sub. equisimilis, respectively. In summary, we present an additional role of SCM in the pathogen-host interaction of S. canis. The detailed analysis of the SCM-IgG interaction should contribute to a better understanding of the complex roles of M proteins in streptococcal pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Bergmann
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Inga Eichhorn
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas P Kohler
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sven Hammerschmidt
- Department Genetics of Microorganisms, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver Goldmann
- Department of Infection Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marcus Fulde
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Helmholtz Center for Infection ResearchBraunschweig, Germany; Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität BerlinBerlin, Germany
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7
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Waller AS. New perspectives for the diagnosis, control, treatment, and prevention of strangles in horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2014; 30:591-607. [PMID: 25300634 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Strangles, characterized by abscessation of the lymph nodes of the head and neck, is the most frequently diagnosed infectious disease of horses worldwide. The persistence of the causative agent, Streptococcus equi, in a proportion of convalescent horses plays a critical role in the recurrence and spread of disease. Recent research has led to the development of effective diagnostic tests that assist the eradication of S equi from local horse populations. This article describes how these advances have been made and provides advice to assist the resolution and prevention of outbreaks. New perspectives on preventative vaccines and therapeutic interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Waller
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK.
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8
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Characterization and protective immunogenicity of the SzM protein of Streptococcus zooepidemicus NC78 from a clonal outbreak of equine respiratory disease. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2013; 20:1181-8. [PMID: 23740925 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00069-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus zooepidemicus of Lancefield group C is a highly variable tonsillar and mucosal commensal that usually is associated with opportunistic infections of the respiratory tract of vertebrate hosts. More-virulent clones have caused epizootics of severe respiratory disease in dogs and horses. The virulence factors of these strains are poorly understood. The antiphagocytic protein SeM is a major virulence factor and protective antigen of Streptococcus equi, a clonal biovar of an ancestral S. zooepidemicus strain. Although the genome of S. zooepidemicus strain H70, an equine isolate, contains a partial homolog (szm) of sem, expression of the gene has not been documented. We have identified and characterized SzM from an encapsulated S. zooepidemicus strain from an epizootic of equine respiratory disease in New Caledonia. The SzM protein of strain NC78 (SzM(NC78)) has a predicted predominantly alpha-helical fibrillar structure with an LPSTG cell surface anchor motif and resistance to hot acid. A putative binding site for plasminogen is present in the B repeat region, the sequence of which shares homology with repeats of the plasminogen binding proteins of human group C and G streptococci. Equine plasminogen is activated in a dose-dependent manner by recombinant SzM(NC78). Only 23.20 and 25.46% DNA homology is shared with SeM proteins of S. equi strains CF32 and 4047, respectively, and homology ranges from 19.60 to 54.70% for SzM proteins of other S. zooepidemicus strains. As expected, SzM(NC78) reacted with convalescent-phase sera from horses with respiratory disease associated with strains of S. zooepidemicus. SzM(NC78) resembles SeM in binding equine fibrinogen and eliciting strong protective antibody responses in mice. Sera of vaccinated mice opsonized S. zooepidemicus strains NC78 and W60, the SzM protein of which shared partial amino acid homology with SzM(NC78). We conclude that SzM is a protective antigen of NC78; it was strongly reactive with serum antibodies from horses during recovery from S. zooepidemicus-associated respiratory disease.
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9
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Waller AS, Paillot R, Timoney JF. Streptococcus equi: a pathogen restricted to one host. J Med Microbiol 2011; 60:1231-1240. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.028233-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Waller
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK
| | - Romain Paillot
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK
| | - John F. Timoney
- Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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