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Lazado CC, Iversen M, Johansen LH, Brenne H, Sundaram AYM, Ytteborg E. Nasal responses to elevated temperature and Francisella noatunensis infection in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Genomics 2023; 115:110735. [PMID: 37898334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
We report the histological and transcriptomic changes in the olfactory organ of Atlantic cod exposed to Francisella noatunensis. Experimental infection was performed at either 12 °C or 17 °C. Infected fish presented the classic gross pathologies of francisellosis. Nasal morpho-phenotypic parameters were not significantly affected by elevated temperature and infection, except for the number of mucus cells in the 12 °C group seven weeks after the challenge. A higher number of genes were altered through time in the group reared at 17 °C. At termination, the nasal transcriptome of infected fish in both groups was similar to the control. When both infected groups were compared, 754 DEGs were identified, many of which were involved in signalling, defence, transmembrane and enzymatic processes. In conclusion, the study reveals that elevated temperature could trigger responses in the olfactory organ of Atlantic cod and shape the nasal response to F. noatunensis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo C Lazado
- Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås 1431, Norway.
| | - Marianne Iversen
- Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Tromsø 9019, Norway
| | - Lill-Heidi Johansen
- Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Tromsø 9019, Norway
| | - Hanne Brenne
- Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Tromsø 9019, Norway
| | - Arvind Y M Sundaram
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Ytteborg
- Nofima, The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås 1431, Norway
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2
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Díaz-Ibarrola D, Martínez D, Vargas-Lagos C, Saravia J, Vargas-Chacoff L. Transcriptional modulation of immune genes in gut of Sub-Antarctic notothenioid fish Eleginops maclovinus challenged with Francisella noatunensis subsp. noatunensis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 124:56-65. [PMID: 35367625 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The search for functional foods that improve the immune response has traditionally been focused on lymphoid tissue and the intestinal mucosa. However, it is unknown whether there is a different immune response in different portions of the gut following exposure to a bacterial pathogen. We challenged Eleginops maclovinus intraperitoneally (i.p) with Francisella noatunensis subsp. noatunensis and measured mRNA transcripts related to innate and adaptive immune responses in different parts of the gut (foregut, midgut and hindgut). We used control (i.p only with bacterial culture medium), low dose (i.p of F. noatunensis at 1 × 101 bact/μL), medium dose (i.p of F. noatunensis at 1 × 105 bact/μL) and high dose (i.p of F. noatunensis at 1 × 1010 bact/μL) groups in our experiments. We sampled fish at days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post-injection. We observed tissue-specific expression of TLR1, TLR5, TLR8, MHCI, MHCII and IgM, and transcription of these immune markers was lower in foregut and higher in midgut and hindgut. We detected Francisella genetic material (DNA) in fish stimulated with a high dose from day 1-28 in foregut, midgut, and hindgut. However, we could only detect Francisella DNA in fish stimulated the medium and low dose at later timepoints in the foregut (21-28 days post injection "dpi") and hindgut (low dose from day 7-28 dpi). Our results suggest that the immune responses to bacterial pathogens occur throughout the gut, but certain segments may be more susceptible to infection because of their cellular morphology (anterior, middle and posterior).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Díaz-Ibarrola
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Peces, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Centro Fondap de Investigación de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Escuela de Graduados, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile.
| | - Danixa Martínez
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Peces, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Laboratorio de Inmunología y Estrés de Organismos Acuáticos, Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carolina Vargas-Lagos
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Peces, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Centro Fondap de Investigación de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Julia Saravia
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Peces, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Centro Fondap de Investigación de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Escuela de Graduados, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Luis Vargas-Chacoff
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Peces, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Centro Fondap de Investigación de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems, BASE, University Austral of Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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3
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Hansen JD, Ray K, Chen PJ, Yun S, Elliott DG, Conway CM, Calcutt MJ, Purcell MK, Welch TJ, Bellah JP, Davis EM, Greer JB, Soto E. Disruption of the Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis pdpA Gene Results in Virulence Attenuation and Protection in Zebrafish. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0022021. [PMID: 34424748 PMCID: PMC8519269 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00220-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several Francisella spp., including Francisella noatunensis, are regarded as important emerging pathogens of wild and farmed fish. However, very few studies have investigated the virulence factors that allow these bacterial species to be pathogenic in fish. The Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) is a well-described, gene-dense region encoding major virulence factors for the genus Francisella. pdpA is a member of the pathogenicity-determining protein genes carried by the FPI that are implicated in the ability of the mammalian pathogen Francisella tularensis to escape and replicate in infected host cells. Using a sacB suicide approach, we generated pdpA knockouts to address the role of PdpA as a virulence factor for F. noatunensis. Because polarity can be an issue in gene-dense regions, we generated two different marker-based mutants in opposing polarity (the F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis ΔpdpA1 and ΔpdpA2 strains). Both mutants were attenuated (P < 0.0001) in zebrafish challenges and displayed impaired intracellular replication (P < 0.05) and cytotoxicity (P < 0.05), all of which could be restored to wild-type (WT) levels by complementation for the ΔpdpA1 mutant. Importantly, differences were found for bacterial burden and induction of acute-phase and proinflammatory genes for the F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis ΔpdpA1 and ΔpdpA2 mutants compared to the WT during acute infection. In addition, neither mutant resulted in significant histopathological changes. Finally, immunization with the F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis ΔpdpA1 mutant led to protection (P < 0.012) against an acute 40% lethal dose (LD40) challenge with WT F. noatunensis in the zebrafish model of infection. Taken together, the results from this study further demonstrate physiological similarities within the genus Francisella relative to their phylogenetic relationships and the utility of zebrafish for addressing virulence factors for the genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Hansen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Karina Ray
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Po-Jui Chen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Susan Yun
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California—Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Diane G. Elliott
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carla M. Conway
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael J. Calcutt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Maureen K. Purcell
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Timothy J. Welch
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Kearneysville, West Virginia, USA
| | - John P. Bellah
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ellie M. Davis
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Justin B. Greer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Esteban Soto
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California—Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
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Chang CH, Poudyal S, Pulpipat T, Wang PC, Chen SC. Pathological Manifestations of Francisella orientalis in the Green Texas Cichlid ( Herichthys cyanoguttatus). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082284. [PMID: 34438742 PMCID: PMC8388529 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The following study demonstrates the pathological manifestations of an emerging virulent bacterium, Francisella orientalis, in an ornamental cichlid fish, the green Texas cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus). This study was conducted to prove that Francisella orientalis can cause a disease in the green Texas cichlid that is similar to natural infection. Francisella orientalis was discovered for the first time in green Texas cichlid by our team in Taiwan in 2015. The present study simply tried to prove the susceptibility of Francisella orientalis in green Texas cichlid by conducting a challenge experiment, where healthy fish were injected with a dose of the bacteria. After the challenge, the healthy fish showed the same disease progression as was seen in the case of natural outbreak. The mortality rate, clinical symptoms, gross findings, and histopathological findings were similar to natural infection. Francisella orientalis could also be recovered in artificial media from challenged fish, thus indicating that the bacteria had multiplied inside the fish. These findings prove that green Texas cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) is susceptible to Francisela orientalis, and new management and vaccination strategies are necessary in the farming of this fish. This study also helps by adding to the knowledge of the growing host base for Francisella orientalis. Abstract Francisella orientalis (Fo) is considered to be one of the major pathogens of tilapia because of the high mortalities observed during outbreaks. Other cichlids belonging to the same family (Cichlidae) as tilapia are also quite susceptible to this pathogen. On various occasions, Fo has also been isolated from other warm water fish, including three-line grunt, hybrid striped bass, French grunt, Caesar grunt, and Indo-Pacific reef fish. However, only a few studies have reported the pathogenicity of Francisella orientalis in ornamental cichlid fish. This study fulfills Koch’s postulates by showing that a strain of Fo obtained from green Texas cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) was able to produce the same pathogenicity in healthy fish. A mortality of 100% was observed after healthy green Texas cichlid were experimentally injected with Fo at a dose of 8.95 × 105 CFU/fish. DNA extracted from the organs of predilection (spleen, head kidney) gave positive results by PCR for all fish that died during the experimental period. Spleen and head kidney presented with multifocal white nodules in the affected fish, corresponding to typical vacuolated granulomas on histopathological examination of the tissues. Based on the results of this study, it is evident that Fo can indeed infect green Texas cichlid and produce a disease typical of francisellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
| | - Sayuj Poudyal
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
| | - Theeraporn Pulpipat
- Department of Farm Resources and Production Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand;
| | - Pei-Chi Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-C.W.); (S.-C.C.); Tel.: +886-8-7740569 (P.-C.W. & S.-C.C.)
| | - Shih-Chu Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-C.W.); (S.-C.C.); Tel.: +886-8-7740569 (P.-C.W. & S.-C.C.)
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5
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Maekawa S, Pulpipat T, Wang PC, Chen SC. Transcriptome analysis of immune- and iron-related genes after Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 111:36-48. [PMID: 33444737 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium identified in many fish species worldwide, including cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Taiwan. To investigate the gene expression responses to Fno infection, we performed transcriptome analysis of the head kidney and spleen in Nile tilapia using RNA-seq. Total RNA was extracted from the head kidney and spleen of infected (Fno-injected) and uninfected (control) tilapia at 1-day and 2-days post-infection, and RNA-seq was performed using the Illumina HiSeq™ 4000 platform. After de novo assembly, a total of 106,534 transcripts were detected. These transcripts were annotated and categorized into a total of 7171 genes based on the KEGG pathway database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly (2-fold difference comparing Fno and PBS groups at each time point) enriched in the immune-related pathways, including the following: complement and coagulation cascades, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, hematopoietic cell lineage, lysosome, phagosome. We identified the upregulation of inflammatory cytokine-, apoptosis-, and neutrophil-related genes, and downregulation of complement- and lymphocyte-related genes. Additionally, we found the induction of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) and heme responsive gene-1 (HRG1). Anemia of inflammation, caused by intracellular iron storage in spleen after Fno infection, was also observed. This study provides natural disease control strategies against Fno infection in tilapia. It is suggested that intercellular iron storage is a host protection strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Maekawa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan; International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan; General Research Service Centre, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
| | - Theeraporn Pulpipat
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chu Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan; International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
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Kawahara M, Yoshitake K, Yoshinaga T, Itoh N. Francisellosis of Yesso scallops Mizuhopecten yessoensis in Japan is caused by a novel type of Francisella halioticida. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2021; 144:9-19. [PMID: 33704088 DOI: 10.3354/dao03574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Francisella halioticida, the causative agent of francisellosis of the giant abalone Haliotis gigantea, has also been isolated from Yesso scallops Mizuhopecten yessoensis, which presented with orange/pinkish lesions in the adductor muscle and experienced high mortality. However, it is not clear whether the F. halioticida isolated from the giant abalone and Yesso scallops are phenotypically and genetically identical to each other. The present study revealed that isolates from the giant abalone and Yesso scallops were phenotypically different, with slower growth in modified eugon broth and a lack of prolyl aminopeptidase and phenylalanine aminopeptidase in Yesso scallop isolates. Additionally, we found that 3 of 8 housekeeping genes were different between them. Based on these phenotypic and genetic differences, we propose that F. halioticida isolated from Yesso scallops in Japan be designated as the 'J-scallop type' to distinguish it from strains from abalone ('abalone type'). Whole-genome sequencing analysis of a strain belonging to the J-scallop type showed that the overall similarity between the J-scallop and abalone type strains was estimated to be 99.84%. In accordance with a lack of prolyl aminopeptidase activity, in general, all of the J-scallop type strains examined have a 1 bp deletion in the responsible gene encoding prolyl aminopeptidase. This deletion was confirmed in all F. halioticida in diseased Yesso scallops examined, suggesting that in Japan, francisellosis of Yesso scallops is caused by a novel type of F. halioticida and not by the abalone type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miku Kawahara
- Laboratory of Fish Diseases, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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Öhrman C, Sahl JW, Sjödin A, Uneklint I, Ballard R, Karlsson L, McDonough RF, Sundell D, Soria K, Bäckman S, Chase K, Brindefalk B, Sozhamannan S, Vallesi A, Hägglund E, Ramirez-Paredes JG, Thelaus J, Colquhoun D, Myrtennäs K, Birdsell D, Johansson A, Wagner DM, Forsman M. Reorganized Genomic Taxonomy of Francisellaceae Enables Design of Robust Environmental PCR Assays for Detection of Francisella tularensis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:146. [PMID: 33440900 PMCID: PMC7826819 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing diversity of species has been recognized within the family Francisellaceae. Unfortunately, novel isolates are sometimes misnamed in initial publications or multiple sources propose different nomenclature for genetically highly similar isolates. Thus, unstructured and occasionally incorrect information can lead to confusion in the scientific community. Historically, detection of Francisella tularensis in environmental samples has been challenging due to the considerable and unknown genetic diversity within the family, which can result in false positive results. We have assembled a comprehensive collection of genome sequences representing most known Francisellaceae species/strains and restructured them according to a taxonomy that is based on phylogenetic structure. From this structured dataset, we identified a small number of genomic regions unique to F. tularensis that are putatively suitable for specific detection of this pathogen in environmental samples. We designed and validated specific PCR assays based on these genetic regions that can be used for the detection of F. tularensis in environmental samples, such as water and air filters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Öhrman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Jason W. Sahl
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Ingrid Uneklint
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Rebecca Ballard
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Linda Karlsson
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Ryelan F. McDonough
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - David Sundell
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Kathleen Soria
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Stina Bäckman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Kitty Chase
- US Army Medical Research Institute, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Björn Brindefalk
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Shanmuga Sozhamannan
- Logistics Management Institute supporting Defense Biological Product Assurance Office (DBPAO) Joint Project Lead, CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies (JPL CBRND EB), Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Adriana Vallesi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Emil Hägglund
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Jose Gustavo Ramirez-Paredes
- Ridgeway Biologicals Limited a Ceva Santé Animale Company, Units 1-3 Old Station Business Park, Compton, Berkshire, England RG20 6NE, UK;
| | - Johanna Thelaus
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Duncan Colquhoun
- Fish Health Research Group, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Pb 750 Sentrum, 23 N-0106 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Kerstin Myrtennäs
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
| | - Dawn Birdsell
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Anders Johansson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology, and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - David M. Wagner
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA; (J.W.S.); (R.B.); (R.F.M.); (K.S.); (D.B.); (D.M.W.)
| | - Mats Forsman
- CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, SE 901 82 Umeå, Sweden; (C.Ö.); (A.S.); (I.U.); (L.K.); (D.S.); (S.B.); (B.B.); (E.H.); (J.T.); (K.M.)
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Poudyal S, Pulpipat T, Wang PC, Chen SC. Comparison of the pathogenicity of Francisella orientalis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) through experimental intraperitoneal infection. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2020; 43:1097-1106. [PMID: 32700447 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Francisella orientalis is a highly virulent, emerging bacterium that causes mass mortalities in tilapia. This pathogen also affects numerous other warm-water fish species, including three-line grunt, hybrid striped bass and various ornamental fish. This study sheds light on two new species of fish that are susceptible to F. orientalis. Asian seabass and largemouth bass showed variable levels of susceptibility in a bacterial challenge experiment. After intraperitoneally injected with a dose of 106 CFU/fish, a total of 64.28% and 21.42% mortalities were obtained in Asian seabass and largemouth bass, respectively. Meanwhile, Nile tilapia showed acute mortality of 100%. All fish showed typical lesions of francisellosis, including multifocal granulomas in the spleen and head kidney. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong positive signals inside the granulomas of all fish. The bacterial recovery in solid media from infected fish was highest in Nile tilapia (85.71%), followed by Asian seabass (35.71%) and largemouth bass (21.42%). PCR results tested 100% positive for Nile tilapia, and 78.57% and 21.42% for Asian seabass and largemouth bass, respectively. In conclusion, Asian seabass and largemouth bass are susceptible to this pathogen, which warrants new management strategies when employing predation polyculture systems of these species with tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuj Poudyal
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Theeraporn Pulpipat
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chu Chen
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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9
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Li LH, Luo HM, Feng JH, Ming YZ, Zheng ML, Deng GY, Chen C, Li WJ, Xiao M, Qu PH. Francisella salimarina sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 70:3264-3272. [PMID: 32375983 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Four strains (SYSU SYW-1T, SYW-2, SYW-3 and XLW-1) were isolated from seawater near the shore in Guangdong Province, China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and non-spore-forming. Growth was observed at a temperature range of 16-40 °C (optimum, 32 °C), a pH range of 4-8 (optimum, pH 7) and in the presence of up to 10 % (w/v) NaCl. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 8 (UQ-8), and the predominant fatty acids were C18 : 0 3-OH, C10 : 0, C14 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences confirmed that these strains represented a novel member of the genus Francisella, with less than 98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and less than 95 % genomic average nucleotide identity to recognized Francisella species. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the protein-concatamer tree based on a concatenation of 28 protein marker sequences both indicated that the strains clustered with 'Francisella salina' TX07-7308 and 'Francisella marina' E95-16, but formed a distinct lineage group among the other members of the genus Francisella. The DNA G+C contents of the four strains were determined to be 32.9, 32.7, 32.9 and 32.9 %, respectively (genome). On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic features, the strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Francisella, for which the name Francisella salimarina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU SYW-1T (=CGMCC 1.17031T=NBRC 113781T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Hui Li
- The Second Clinic Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Hai-Min Luo
- The Second Clinic Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jun-Hui Feng
- The Second Clinic Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yu-Zhen Ming
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Min-Ling Zheng
- The Second Clinic Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Guang-Yuan Deng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.,The Second Clinic Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Cha Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.,The Second Clinic Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Urumqi, 830011, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Min Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Ping-Hua Qu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.,The Second Clinic Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
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10
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Ramirez-Paredes JG, Larsson P, Thompson KD, Penman DJ, Busse HJ, Öhrman C, Sjödin A, Soto E, Richards RH, Adams A, Colquhoun DJ. Reclassification of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis Ottem et al. 2009 as Francisella orientalis sp. nov., Francisella noatunensis subsp. chilensis subsp. nov. and emended description of Francisella noatunensis. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 70:2034-2048. [PMID: 32160147 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis is a fastidious facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes 'piscine francisellosis', a serious disease affecting both marine and fresh water farmed and wild fish worldwide. Currently two F. noatunensis subspecies are recognized, i.e. F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis and F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis. In the present study, the taxonomy of F. noatunensis was revisited using a polyphasic approach, including whole genome derived parameters such as digital DNA-DNA hybridization, whole genome average nucleotide identity (wg-ANIm), whole genome phylogenetic analysis, whole genome G+C content, metabolic fingerprinting and chemotaxonomic analyses. The results indicated that isolates belonging to F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis represent a phenotypically and genetically homogenous taxon, clearly distinguishable from F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis that fulfils requirements for separate species status. We propose, therefore, elevation of F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis to the species rank as Francisella orientalis sp. nov. with the type strain remaining as Ehime-1T (DSM 21254T=LMG 24544T). Furthermore, we identified sufficient phenotypic and genetic differences between F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis recovered from diseased farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile and those isolated from wild and farmed Atlantic cod in Northern Europe to warrant proposal of the Chilean as a novel F. noatunensis subspecies, i.e. Francisella noatunensis subsp. chilensis subsp. nov. with strain PQ1106T (CECT 9798T=NCTC14375T) as the type strain. Finally, we emend the description of F. noatunensis by including further metabolic information and the description of atypical strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Gustavo Ramirez-Paredes
- Ridgeway Biologicals Ltd. a Ceva Santé Animale Company, Units 1-3 Old Station Business Park, Compton, Berkshire, England, RG20 6NE, UK
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
- Present address: Ridgeway Biologicals Ltd. a Ceva Santé Animale Company, Units 1-3 Old Station Business Park, Compton, Berkshire, England, RG20 6NE, UK
| | - Pär Larsson
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umea University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kim D Thompson
- Aquaculture Research Group, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David J Penman
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Hans-Jürgen Busse
- Institute of Microbiology, Veterinary University, Vienna, A-1160 Wien, Austria
| | - Caroline Öhrman
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), CBRN Defence and Security, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Esteban Soto
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - Randolph H Richards
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Alexandra Adams
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Duncan J Colquhoun
- Fish Health Research Group, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Pb 750 Sentrum, N-0106 Oslo, Norway
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11
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Pulpipat T, Maekawa S, Wang PC, Chen SC. Immune Responses and Protective Efficacy of a Formalin-Killed Francisella Noatunensis Subsp. Orientalis Vaccine Evaluated through Intraperitoneal and Immersion Challenge Methods in Oreochromis Niloticus. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020163. [PMID: 32260212 PMCID: PMC7348880 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno), an intracellular bacterium, causes systemic granulomatous diseases, resulting in high mortality and huge economic losses in Taiwanese tilapia farming. In this study, we tested the efficacy of a formalin-killed Fno vaccine in cultured tilapia. Fno was isolated from diseased tilapia, inactivated with formalin, and mixed with the mineral oil base adjuvant (MontanideTM ISA 763 AVG). A total of 300 tilapia were divided into two groups. The experimental group was intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 mL of vaccine, which was substituted with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in the control group. A booster was administered at 2 weeks post-immunization. Tilapia were challenged at 6 weeks post primary immunization by intraperitoneal (IP) injection and immersion methods. Mortality was recorded at 21 and 60 days. The results revealed that the vaccine induced a greater antibody titer and led to 71% and 76% of relative percent survival (RPS) after the IP and immersion challenge. The transcripts of proinflammatory cytokines and immune-related genes, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), and interleukin-17C (IL-17C), were significantly upregulated after vaccination. Additionally, vaccinated fish had lower bacterial loads in the blood and lower granuloma intensities in the kidney, spleen, liver, and gill than control fish. The results in this study demonstrate that the inactivated Fno vaccine could be an essential resource in Taiwanese tilapia farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theeraporn Pulpipat
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan; (T.P.); (S.M.); (P.-C.W.)
| | - Shun Maekawa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan; (T.P.); (S.M.); (P.-C.W.)
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan; (T.P.); (S.M.); (P.-C.W.)
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chu Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan; (T.P.); (S.M.); (P.-C.W.)
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Research Center for Fish Vaccine and Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-8-770-3202 (ext. 5076 or 5095)
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12
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Dietrich EA, Kingry LC, Kugeler KJ, Levy C, Yaglom H, Young JW, Mead PS, Petersen JM. Francisella opportunistica sp. nov., isolated from human blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 70:1145-1151. [PMID: 31860434 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Two isolates of a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming coccobacillus cultured from the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of immunocompromised patients in the United States were described previously. Biochemical and phylogenetic analyses revealed that they belong to a novel species within the Francisella genus. Here we describe a third isolate of this species, recovered from blood of a febrile patient with renal failure, and formally name the Francisella species. Whole genome comparisons indicated the three isolates display greater than 99.9 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) to each other and are most closely related to the tick endosymbiont F. persica, with only 88.6-88.8 % ANI to the type strain of F. persica. Based on biochemical, metabolic and genomic comparisons, we propose that these three isolates should be recognized as Francisella opportunistica sp. nov, with the type strain of the species, PA05-1188T, available through the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSM 107100) and the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC BAA-2974).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Dietrich
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Laboratory Leadership Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Luke C Kingry
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Kiersten J Kugeler
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Craig Levy
- Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Hayley Yaglom
- Present address: Translational Genomics Research Institute, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.,Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - John W Young
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Paul S Mead
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jeannine M Petersen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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13
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Chang CT, Benedict S, Whipps CM. Transmission of Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium marinum in laboratory zebrafish through live feeds. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2019; 36:681-4. [PMID: 31418901 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 11/14/2012] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a popular vertebrate model organism used in a wide range of research fields. Mycobacteriosis, caused by Mycobacterium species, is particularly concerning because it is a common disease associated with chronic infections in these fish. Infections are also a source of uncontrolled experimental variance that may influence research results. Live feeds for zebrafish are common and include paramecia (Paramecium caudatum), brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) and rotifers (Branchionus spp.). Although nutritionally beneficial, live feeds may pose a biosecurity risk. In this study, we investigate transmission of Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium marinum through these three live feeds. We show that all three live feeds ingest both M. marinum and M. chelonae and can transmit mycobacterial infections to zebrafish. This observation emphasizes the need for live feeds to be included in the consideration of potential biosecurity risks. This study is of importance to other beyond the zebrafish community, including those of additional aquatic models and those using live feeds for other types of aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn T Chang
- Department of Environment and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
| | - Samuel Benedict
- Department of Environment and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
| | - Christopher M Whipps
- Department of Environment and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
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14
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Pereira FL, Tavares GC, de Carvalho AF, Rosa JCC, Rezende CP, Leal CAG, Figueiredo HCP. Effects of temperature changes in the transcriptional profile of the emerging fish pathogen Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. Microb Pathog 2019; 133:103548. [PMID: 31112771 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
One of the major challenges in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) farming is the occurrence of bacterial infections, and the Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (FNO) is an important pathogen that has emerged in last decades. Francisellosis outbreaks have been reported in the literature as occurring seasonally when water temperature is below 24 °C. The aim of this study was to quantify the median lethal doses (LD50) of FNO in experimental challenges at 28 °C and 22 °C, and to investigate the impact of temperature changes in whole genome expression using microarray technology. The LD50 for Nile tilapia at 28 °C was ∼105.7, whereas at 22 °C, the LD50 was ∼102.2, showing that the decrease in temperature enhanced disease outcome. Out of 1917 genes screened, a total of 31 and 19 genes were down- and up-regulated at 22 °C, respectively. These genes were grouped by orthology into functional categories of: amino acid, inorganic ion, and carbohydrate transport and metabolism; transcription; and posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones. Expression of genes related to metabolism, oxidative stress, and thermal shock were regulated by temperature changes, reflecting an ability of FNO to adapt to the environment. Expression of virulence genes usually required for the Francisella genus was not changed between tested temperatures, including that of genes located on the Francisella Pathogenicity Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Luiz Pereira
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Campos Tavares
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Alex Fiorini de Carvalho
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Júlio César Camara Rosa
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Cristiana Perdigão Rezende
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Augusto Gomes Leal
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Henrique César Pereira Figueiredo
- AQUACEN, National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. http://www.vet.ufmg.br/
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15
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Pulpipat T, Lin KH, Chen YH, Wang PC, Chen SC. Molecular characterization and pathogenicity of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis isolated from cultured tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in Taiwan. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2019; 42:643-655. [PMID: 30715744 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis is a causative agent of systemic granulomatous disease in tilapia. The present study was designed to understand the genetic and phenotypic diversities among Taiwanese Fno isolates obtained from tilapia (n = 17) and green Texas cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) (n = 1). The enzymatic profiles of the isolates were studied using the API ZYM system. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the 16S rRNA and housekeeping gene and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were carried out to determine the genotypic characters of all isolates. The phylogenetic tree showed similarity of 99%-100% nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes compared to the Fno references genes from GenBank database. Comparatively, the results revealed an identical profile of enzymatic and PFGE pattern which was distincted from that of F. philomiragia. To understand the pathogenicity, the isolates were intraperitoneal injected to tilapia the gross lesions were observed concomitant with natural outbreak. Median lethal dose upon Nile tilapia and red tilapia were 9.06 × 103 CFU/fish and 2.08 × 102 CFU/fish, respectively. Thus, our data provide understanding the epidemiology of Taiwanese Fno isolates, and help in development of future control and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theeraporn Pulpipat
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hua Lin
- Animal Protection Office, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | | | - Pei-Chi Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chu Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Southern Taiwan Fish Diseases Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- International Degree Program of Ornamental Fish Technology and Aquatic Animal Health, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Animal Biologics, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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16
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Vallesi A, Sjödin A, Petrelli D, Luporini P, Taddei AR, Thelaus J, Öhrman C, Nilsson E, Di Giuseppe G, Gutiérrez G, Villalobo E. A New Species of the γ-Proteobacterium Francisella, F. adeliensis Sp. Nov., Endocytobiont in an Antarctic Marine Ciliate and Potential Evolutionary Forerunner of Pathogenic Species. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 77:587-596. [PMID: 30187088 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1256-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The study of the draft genome of an Antarctic marine ciliate, Euplotes petzi, revealed foreign sequences of bacterial origin belonging to the γ-proteobacterium Francisella that includes pathogenic and environmental species. TEM and FISH analyses confirmed the presence of a Francisella endocytobiont in E. petzi. This endocytobiont was isolated and found to be a new species, named F. adeliensis sp. nov.. F. adeliensis grows well at wide ranges of temperature, salinity, and carbon dioxide concentrations implying that it may colonize new organisms living in deeply diversified habitats. The F. adeliensis genome includes the igl and pdp gene sets (pdpC and pdpE excepted) of the Francisella pathogenicity island needed for intracellular growth. Consistently with an F. adeliensis ancient symbiotic lifestyle, it also contains a single insertion-sequence element. Instead, it lacks genes for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids such as cysteine, lysine, methionine, and tyrosine. In a genome-based phylogenetic tree, F. adeliensis forms a new early branching clade, basal to the evolution of pathogenic species. The correlations of this clade with the other clades raise doubts about a genuine free-living nature of the environmental Francisella species isolated from natural and man-made environments, and suggest to look at F. adeliensis as a pioneer in the Francisella colonization of eukaryotic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Vallesi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, MC, Italy.
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Department of Chemistry, Computational Life Science Cluster (CLiC), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Dezemona Petrelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Luporini
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Taddei
- Center of Large Equipment-section of Electron Microscopy, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, snc, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Johanna Thelaus
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Caroline Öhrman
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elin Nilsson
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Gabriel Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Sevilla, Av Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Eduardo Villalobo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Sevilla, Av Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain.
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Pseudofrancisella aestuarii gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Francisellaceae isolated from estuarine seawater. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2019; 112:877-886. [PMID: 30603801 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-018-01220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile and non-spore forming bacterium, designated strain SYSU WZ-2T, was isolated from an estuarine seawater sample. Growth of strain SYSU WZ-2T was observed at temperature range of 10-40° C (optimum, 32 °C), pH range of 6-10 (optimum, pH 7-8) and in the presence of up to 5.0% NaCl (w/v). The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was determined to be 30.1% (genome). The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids and two unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids were C18:0 3-OH (27.5%), C18:1ω9c (19.3%), C16:0 (17.0%) and C14:0 (12.9%). The respiratory quinone was found to be ubiquinone Q8. Pairwise comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SYSU WZ-2T shares high identities with members of the genera Francisella (94.8-95.9%) and Allofrancisella (93.8-94.2%). The phylogenetic dendrograms based on 16S rRNA gene sequences with the members of the family Francisellaceae showed that the strain SYSU WZ-2T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage well separated from the members of the genera Francisella and Allofrancisella. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis also depicted a different profile for strain SYSU WZ-2T compared with those of members of the genera Francisella and Allofrancisella. Based on the above results and differences in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain SYSU WZ-2T is characterized to represent a new species of a novel genus, for which the name Pseudofrancisella aestuarii gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed (type strain SYSU WZ-2T = KCTC 52557T = CGMCC 1.13718T).
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18
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Hennebique A, Boisset S, Maurin M. Tularemia as a waterborne disease: a review. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:1027-1042. [PMID: 31287787 PMCID: PMC6691783 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1638734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative, intracellular bacterium causing the zoonosis tularemia. This highly infectious microorganism is considered a potential biological threat agent. Humans are usually infected through direct contact with the animal reservoir and tick bites. However, tularemia cases also occur after contact with a contaminated hydro-telluric environment. Water-borne tularemia outbreaks and sporadic cases have occurred worldwide in the last decades, with specific clinical and epidemiological traits. These infections represent a major public health and military challenge. Human contaminations have occurred through consumption or use of F. tularensis-contaminated water, and various aquatic activities such as swimming, canyoning and fishing. In addition, in Sweden and Finland, mosquitoes are primary vectors of tularemia due to infection of mosquito larvae in contaminated aquatic environments. The mechanisms of F. tularensis survival in water may include the formation of biofilms, interactions with free-living amoebae, and the transition to a 'viable but nonculturable' state, but the relative contribution of these possible mechanisms remains unknown. Many new aquatic species of Francisella have been characterized in recent years. F. tularensis likely shares with these species an ability of long-term survival in the aquatic environment, which has to be considered in terms of tularemia surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Hennebique
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
| | - Sandrine Boisset
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
| | - Max Maurin
- Centre National de Référence des Francisella, Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
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19
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Complete genome sequencing of sixteen Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis isolates: A genomic approach for molecular characterization and spread dynamics of this clonal population. Genomics 2018; 110:442-449. [PMID: 30367926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (FNO) is an important emerging pathogen associated with disease outbreaks in farm-raised Nile tilapia. FNO genetic diversity using PCR-based typing, no intra-species discrimination was achieved among isolates/strains from different countries, thus demonstrating a clonal behaviour pattern. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the population structure of FNO isolates by comparing whole-genome sequencing data. The analysis of recombination showed that Brazilian isolates group formed a clonal population; whereas other lineages are also supported by this analysis for isolates from foreign countries. The whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST) analysis showed varying numbers of dissimilar alleles, suggesting that the Brazilian clonal population are in expansion. Each Brazilian isolate could be identified as a single node by high-resolution gene-by-gene approach, presenting slight genetic differences associated to mutational events. The common ancestry node suggests a single entry into the country before 2012, and the rapid dissemination of this infectious agent may be linked to market sales of infected fingerlings.
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20
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Sirimanapong W, Thompson KD, Shinn AP, Adams A, Withyachumnarnkul B. Streptococcus agalactiae infection kills red tilapia with chronic Francisella noatunensis infection more rapidly than the fish without the infection. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 81:221-232. [PMID: 30017930 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study we examined the effect that a Francisella noatunensis (Fno) infection had on hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus) subsquently infected with Streptococcus agalactiae. A variety of hemato-immunological parameters (haematocrit, total red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, total white blood and differential cell counts, total plasma protein, plasma lysozyme and plasma peroxidase activities, and respiratory burst and phagocytic activities of head-kidney macrophages) were measured in hybrid red tilapia that had been previously exposed to an Fno outbreak in a tilapia grow-out farm. The head-kidneys of these apparently healthy survivors, when checked by PCR were found to be Fno-positive with hemato-immunological parameters that were similar to fish without an a priori infection. The only exception was the percentage lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood, which was slightly, but significantly, lower in the Fno-infected fish, compared to those without the infection. When experimentally infected with S. agalactiae, the Fno-infected fish died more rapidly and at a significantly higher rate than fish without the infection. During the challenge, the hemato-immunological parameters of both groups of fish were very similar, although the Fno-infected fish, challanged with S. agalactiae expressed significantly higher plasma lysozyme and peroxidase activities, and their head kidney macrophages had significantly higher respiratory burst activity compared to non-Fno-infected fish challanged with S. agalactiae. The only two parameters for which Fno-infected fish showed significantly lower expressions than that of their non-infected counterparts were haematocrit and total red blood cell count. The cause of the rapidity and higher rates of mortality observed in the Fno-infected fish when challenged with S. agalactiae is unknown; but it may be due to a reduced erythropoiesis capability within the head-kidney because of the presence of Fno.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanna Sirimanapong
- Veterinary Aquatic Animal Research Health Care Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon-pathom, 73170, Thailand.
| | - Kim D Thompson
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan Penicuik, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew P Shinn
- Fish Vet Group Asia Limited, 21/359 Premjairard Road, Saensook, Muang Chonburi, Chonburi, 20130, Thailand
| | - Alexandra Adams
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK
| | - Boonsirm Withyachumnarnkul
- AquaAcademy Farm, Tha Chana, Surat Thani, 84170, Thailand; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkla, 90112, Thailand
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21
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Oren A, Garrity G. Proposal to emend Rules 50a and 50b of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2018; 68:3371-3376. [PMID: 30113302 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.002958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rules 50a and 50b of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes respectively regulate the elevation of a subspecies to the rank of a species and the lowering of a species to the rank of subspecies. The Code does not indicate that the resulting new names must be considered new combinations, as the cases described in Rules 50a and 50b are not covered by Rule 34a. Based on the rules of the Code, new combination events are applicable only at the identical rank, and therefore new combination events and new species/subspecies events are mutually exclusive. In spite of this there have been at least 44 cases in which the new names were described as comb. nov. during elevation in rank from subspecies to species and at least 30 such cases during lowering in rank from species to subspecies. To prevent confusion in the future we propose adding notes to Rules 50a and 50b to clarify the issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aharon Oren
- 1The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - George Garrity
- 2Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Physical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-4320, USA
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Thelaus J, Lundmark E, Lindgren P, Sjödin A, Forsman M. Galleria mellonella Reveals Niche Differences Between Highly Pathogenic and Closely Related Strains of Francisella spp. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:188. [PMID: 29922601 PMCID: PMC5996057 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, a highly virulent bacteria that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia, is considered a potential agent of biological warfare and bioterrorism. Although the host range for several species within the Francisella is known, little is known about the natural reservoirs of various Francisella species. The lack of knowledge regarding the environmental fates of these pathogens greatly reduces the possibilities for microbial risk assessments. The greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) is an insect of the order Lepidoptera that has been used as an alternative model to study microbial infection during recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate G. mellonella as a model system for studies of human pathogenic and closely related opportunistic and non-pathogenic strains within the Francisella genus. The employed G. mellonella larvae model demonstrated differences in lethality between human pathogenic and human non-pathogenic or opportunistic Francisella species. The F. novicida, F. hispaniensis and F. philomiragia strains were significantly more virulent in the G. mellonella model than the strains of human pathogens F. t. holarctica and F. t. tularensis. Our data show that G. mellonella is a possible in vivo model of insect immunity for studies of both opportunistic and virulent lineages of Francisella spp., that produces inverse results regarding lethality in G. mellonella and incapacitating disease in humans. The results provide insight into the potential host specificity of F. tularensis and closely related members of the same genus, thus increasing our present understanding of Francisella spp. ecology.
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23
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Santana MS, Yamamoto FY, Sandrini-Neto L, Filipak Neto F, Ortolani-Machado CF, Oliveira Ribeiro CA, Prodocimo MM. Diffuse sources of contamination in freshwater fish: Detecting effects through active biomonitoring and multi-biomarker approaches. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 149:173-181. [PMID: 29175343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic organisms are usually exposed to a mixture of xenobiotics that may exert a large effect even in low concentrations, and when information is obtained exclusively from chemical analyses the prediction of the deleterious effects is potentially hindered. Therefore, the application of complementary monitoring methods is a priority. Here, in addition to chemical analyses, an active biomonitoring study using multiple biomarker responses in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus was conducted to assess the effects of a contamination gradient along four reservoirs in Iguaçu River. Chemical analysis in the muscle showed high levels of metals in fish from the reservoir closest to an industrialized and environmentally degraded area, however fish exposed to all studied reservoirs showed hepatic alterations (necrosis and inflammatory processes). Also, significant variations of biochemical biomarkers were observed with no clear indication of contamination gradient, since an indicative of higher impact was found in an intermediary reservoir, including high concentrations of biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, nuclear morphological alterations (NMA) were less frequent at the same reservoir. Thus, the multi-biomarker approach allied to active biomonitoring is a practical and important tool to assess deleterious effects of contamination in freshwater, providing data for monitoring and conservation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela S Santana
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Flávia Y Yamamoto
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Sandrini-Neto
- Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Francisco Filipak Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Claudia Feijo Ortolani-Machado
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ciro A Oliveira Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Maritana Mela Prodocimo
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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24
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Shahin K, Gustavo Ramirez-Paredes J, Harold G, Lopez-Jimena B, Adams A, Weidmann M. Development of a recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192979. [PMID: 29444148 PMCID: PMC5812721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) is the causative agent of piscine francisellosis in warm water fish including tilapia. The disease induces chronic granulomatous inflammation with high morbidity and can result in high mortality. Early and accurate detection of Fno is crucial to set appropriate outbreak control measures in tilapia farms. Laboratory detection of Fno mainly depends on bacterial culture and molecular techniques. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a novel isothermal technology that has been widely used for the molecular diagnosis of various infectious diseases. In this study, a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay for rapid detection of Fno was developed and validated. The RPA reaction was performed at a constant temperature of 42°C for 20 min. The RPA assay was performed using a quantitative plasmid standard containing a unique Fno gene sequence. Validation of the assay was performed not only by using DNA from Fno, closely related Francisella species and other common bacterial pathogens in tilapia farms, but also by screening 78 Nile tilapia and 5 water samples. All results were compared with those obtained by previously established real-time qPCR. The developed RPA showed high specificity in detection of Fno with no cross-detection of either the closely related Francisella spp. or the other tested bacteria. The Fno-RPA performance was highly comparable to the published qPCR with detection limits at 15 and 11 DNA molecules detected, respectively. The RPA gave quicker results in approximately 6 min in contrast to the qPCR that needed about 90 min to reach the same detection limit, taking only 2.7–3 min to determine Fno in clinical samples. Moreover, RPA was more tolerant to reaction inhibitors than qPCR when tested with field samples. The fast reaction, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, sensitivity and specificity make the RPA an attractive diagnostic tool that will contribute to controlling the infection through prompt on-site detection of Fno.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Shahin
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Aquatic Animal Diseases Lab, Division of Aquaculture, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Suez, Egypt
- * E-mail:
| | - Jose Gustavo Ramirez-Paredes
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Harold
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Lopez-Jimena
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Adams
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
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25
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Ramírez-Paredes JG, Thompson KD, Metselaar M, Shahin K, Soto E, Richards RH, Penman DJ, Colquhoun DJ, Adams A. A Polyphasic Approach for Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of the Fastidious Aquatic Pathogen Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2324. [PMID: 29312155 PMCID: PMC5733052 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno) is the causative agent of piscine francisellosis, an emerging infectious disease in Asia and Latin America. In this study two outbreaks of francisellosis were diagnosed in the UK on the basis of histopathology, electron microscopy, PCR, bacterial isolation and fulfillment of Koch's postulates. Furthermore, a phenotypic fingerprint based on biochemical analyses, metabolic activity, chemotaxonomic composition, and antimicrobial assays was generated for the novel isolates, the Fno type strain Ehime-1 from Asia and other Fno from Latin America. The genetic relatedness between the novel Fno and other Francisellaceae species was investigated by sequencing and comparing the 16SrRNA gene, 8 housekeeping genes (individually and concatenated) and the 16SrRNA-ITS-23SrRNA sequence. The phenotypic profiling indicated a high degree of similarity among the Fno strains as all were able to metabolize dextrin, N-acetyl-D glucosamine, D-fructose, α-D-glucose, D-mannose, methyl pyruvate, acetic acid, α-keto butyric acid, L-alaninamide, L-alanine, L-alanylglycine, L-asparagine, L-glutamic acid, L-proline, L-serine, L-threonine, inosine, uridine, glycerol, D L-α-glycerol phosphate, glucose-1-phosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate. The chemotaxonomic analyses indicated that 24:1 (20.3%), 18:1n-9 (16.9%), 24:0 (13.1%) 14:0 (10.9%), 22:0 (7.8%), 16:0 (7.6%), and 18:0 (5.5%) were the predominant structural fatty acids in Fno. The antimicrobial assays showed little variation between the isolates and high susceptibility to enrofloxacin, gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, nitrofurantoin, tobramycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, florfenicol, oxolinic acid, and streptomycin in all the Fno analyzed. In all the phylogenetic trees the Fno strains clustered together in independent branches confirming a high degree of homogeneity. Interestingly in five of the 11 trees i.e., mutS, putA, rpoB, 16SrRNA-ITS-23SrRNA, and concatenated sequence the two Francisella noatunensis ssp. diverged more from each other than from the closely related Francisella philomiragia (Fp). The phenotypic and genetic characterization confirmed the Fno isolates represent a solid phylo-phenetic taxon that in the current context of the genus seems to be misplaced within the species Fn. We propose the use of the present polyphasic approach in future studies to characterize strains of Fnn and Fp and verify their current taxonomic rank of Fno and other aquatic Francisella spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- José G. Ramírez-Paredes
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Kim D. Thompson
- Aquaculture Research Group, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Khalid Shahin
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Esteban Soto
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Randolph H. Richards
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Penman
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alexandra Adams
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
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26
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Qu PH, Li Y, Salam N, Chen SY, Liu L, Gu Q, Fang BZ, Xiao M, Li M, Chen C, Li WJ. Allofrancisella inopinata gen. nov., sp. nov. and Allofrancisella frigidaquae sp. nov., isolated from water-cooling systems, and transfer of Francisella guangzhouensis Qu et al. 2013 to the new genus as Allofrancisella guangzhouensis comb. nov. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2016; 66:4832-4838. [PMID: 27543089 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Five bacterial strains (SYSU YG23T, SYSU 10HL1970T, 10HP82-10, 10HL1938, 10HP457) isolated from water reservoirs of cooling systems were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The isolates were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and non-motile. Growth was enhanced in the presence of l-cysteine. The major fatty acids (>5 %) for the five strains were C10 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, C18 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 1ω9c. Ubiquinone-8 was detected as the respiratory quinone while the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids and three unidentified glycolipids. The strains shared 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 99.0-99.2 % with Francisella guangzhouensis 08HL01032T but less than 95.2 % with other members of the family Francisellaceae. The phylogenetic dendrogram based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these strains form a separate cluster along with Francisella guangzhouensis. This cluster was also confirmed from multilocus-sequence typing based on sequences of the mdhA, rpoB and sdhA genes. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS analyses of the strains along with closely and distantly related Francisella strains also showed a distinct cluster for these strains. Based on the findings from the polyphasic taxonomy studies, the strains were considered to represent two novel species of a new genus for which the names Allofrancisella inopinata gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain SYSU YG23T=KCTC 42968T=DSM 101834T) and Allofrancisella frigidaquae sp. nov. (type strain SYSU 10HL1970T=KCTC 42969T=DSM 101835T) are proposed. In addition, Francisella guangzhouensisQu et al. 2013 is proposed to be transferred to this new genus as Allofrancisella guangzhouensis comb. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Hua Qu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, PR China
| | - Nimaichand Salam
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Shou-Yi Chen
- Department of Microbiological Laboratory, Guangzhou Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, PR China
| | - Lan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Quan Gu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan 063000, PR China
| | - Bao-Zhu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Min Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Mo Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Cha Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
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27
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Ortega C, Mancera G, Enríquez R, Vargas A, Martínez S, Fajardo R, Avendaño-Herrera R, Navarrete MJ, Romero A. First identification of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis causing mortality in Mexican tilapia Oreochromis spp. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2016; 120:205-215. [PMID: 27503916 DOI: 10.3354/dao02999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Francisellosis, an emerging disease in tilapia Oreochromis spp., is caused by the facultative, intracellular bacterium Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis, which is present in various countries where tilapia farming is commercially important. We confirmed the presence of francisellosis in Mexican tilapia cultures in association with an outbreak during the second semester of 2012. Broodstock fish presented a mortality rate of approximately 40%, and disease was characterized by histologically classified granulomas, or whitish nodules, in different organs, mainly the spleen and kidney. Through DNA obtained from infected tissue and pure cultures in a cysteine heart medium supplemented with hemoglobin, F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis was initially confirmed through the amplification and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer region. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes demonstrated close similarity with previously reported F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis sequences obtained from infected tilapia from various countries. The identification of this subspecies as the causative agent of the outbreak was confirmed using the iglC gene as a target sequence, which showed 99.5% identity to 2 F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis strains (Ethime-1 and Toba04). These findings represent the first documented occurrence of francisellosis in Mexican tilapia cultures, which highlights the importance of establishing preventative measures to minimize the spread of this disease within the Mexican aquaculture industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Ortega
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal (CIESA), Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco Km. 15.5, Toluca 50200, Mexico
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Dong HT, Gangnonngiw W, Phiwsaiya K, Charoensapsri W, Nguyen VV, Nilsen P, Pradeep PJ, Withyachumnarnkul B, Senapin S, Rodkhum C. Duplex PCR assay and in situ hybridization for detection of Francisella spp. and Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in red tilapia. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2016; 120:39-47. [PMID: 27304869 DOI: 10.3354/dao03021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Conventional isolation and identification based on phenotypic characteristics is challenging with the highly fastidious, intracellular bacterium Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno). Here, we developed a duplex PCR method for simultaneous detection of the Francisella genus and Fno in one PCR reaction and an in situ hybridization method for paraffin section based diagnosis of Fno. The PCR results showed genus- and species-specific bands (1140 and 203 bp) from Fno but only one genus-specific band (1140 bp) from F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis. Sensitivity of the duplex PCR assay revealed a detection limit of 20 to 200 fg genomic DNA (~10 to 100 genome equivalents) depending on DNA template extraction methods. The newly developed duplex PCR assay could be used to detect Fno from clinically sick fish exhibiting signs of visceral granulomas and would also be able to detect Fno infection in naturally diseased fish without symptoms of francisellosis, indicating potential application for diagnosis of field samples. The in situ hybridization assay using Fno species-specific probe revealed positive signals in multiple organs including the spleen, liver, kidney, gills and intestine of infected fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha T Dong
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Gonçalves LA, de Castro Soares S, Pereira FL, Dorella FA, de Carvalho AF, de Freitas Almeida GM, Leal CAG, Azevedo V, Figueiredo HCP. Complete genome sequences of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis strains FNO12, FNO24 and FNO190: a fish pathogen with genomic clonal behavior. Stand Genomic Sci 2016; 11:30. [PMID: 27073591 PMCID: PMC4828924 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-016-0151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Francisella is composed of Gram-negative, pleomorphic, strictly aerobic and non-motile bacteria, which are capable of infecting a variety of terrestrial and aquatic animals, among which Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis stands out as the causative agent of pyogranulomatous and granulomatous infections in fish. Accordingly, F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis is responsible for high mortality rates in freshwater fish, especially Nile Tilapia. In the current study, we present the genome sequences of F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis strains FNO12, FNO24 and FNO190. The genomes include one circular chromosome of 1,859,720 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1538 coded proteins and 363 pseudogenes for FNO12; one circular chromosome of 1,862,322 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1537 coded proteins and 365 pseudogenes for FNO24; and one circular chromosome of 1,859,595 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1539 coded proteins and 362 pseudogenes for FNO190. All genomes have similar genetic content, implicating a clonal-like behavior for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Amorim Gonçalves
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Siomar de Castro Soares
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Felipe Luiz Pereira
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Alves Dorella
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alex Fiorini de Carvalho
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Gomes Leal
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Henrique César Pereira Figueiredo
- National Reference Laboratory for Aquatic Animal Diseases (AQUACEN), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Otterlei A, Brevik ØJ, Jensen D, Duesund H, Sommerset I, Frost P, Mendoza J, McKenzie P, Nylund A, Apablaza P. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of Piscirickettsia salmonis from Chilean and Canadian salmonids. BMC Vet Res 2016; 12:55. [PMID: 26975395 PMCID: PMC4791975 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0681-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The study presents the phenotypic and genetic characterization of selected P. salmonis isolates from Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout suffering from SRS (salmonid rickettsial septicemia) in Chile and in Canada. The phenotypic characterization of the P. salmonis isolates were based on growth on different agar media (including a newly developed medium), different growth temperatures, antibiotics susceptibility and biochemical tests. Results This is the first study differentiating Chilean P. salmonis isolates into two separate genetic groups. Genotyping, based on 16S rRNA-ITS and concatenated housekeeping genes grouped the selected isolates into two clades, constituted by the Chilean strains, while the Canadian isolates form a branch in the phylogenetic tree. The latter consisted of two isolates that were different in both genetic and phenotypic characteristics. The phylogenies and the MLST do not reflect the origin of the isolates with respect to host species. The isolates included were heterogeneous in phenotypic tests. Conclusions The genotyping methods developed in this study provided a tool for separation of P. salmonis isolates into distinct clades. The SRS outbreaks in Chile are caused by minimum two different genetic groups of P. salmonis. This heterogeneity should be considered in future development of vaccines against this bacterium in Chile. Two different strains of P. salmonis, in regards to genetic and phenotypic characteristics, can occur in the same contemporary outbreak of SRS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0681-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Otterlei
- Fish Diseases Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Øyvind J Brevik
- Cermaq Group AS, Dronning Eufemias gate 16, P.O. Box 144 Sentrum, N-0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniel Jensen
- Fish Diseases Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Henrik Duesund
- Cermaq Group AS, Dronning Eufemias gate 16, P.O. Box 144 Sentrum, N-0102, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Petter Frost
- MSD Animal Health, Thormølensgt. 55, 5008, Bergen, Norway
| | - Julio Mendoza
- Cermaq Chile, Diego Portales 2000, piso 10, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Peter McKenzie
- Cermaq Canada, 203 - 919 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC, V9W 2C2, Canada
| | - Are Nylund
- Fish Diseases Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Patricia Apablaza
- Cermaq Group AS, Dronning Eufemias gate 16, P.O. Box 144 Sentrum, N-0102, Oslo, Norway.
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Apablaza P, Brevik ØJ, Mjøs S, Valdebenito S, Ilardi P, Battaglia J, Dalsgaard I, Nylund A. Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) analysis of Flavobacterium psychrophilum from salmonids in Chile and Norway. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:150. [PMID: 26168788 PMCID: PMC4501049 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Flavobacterium psychrophilum causes serious fish diseases such RTFS and BCWD, affecting the aquaculture industry worldwide. Commercial vaccines are not available and control of the disease depends on the use of antibiotics. Reliable methods for detection and identification of different isolates of this bacterium could play an important role in the development of good management strategies. The aim of this study was to identify genetic markers for discrimination between isolates. A selection of eight VNTRs from 53 F. psychrophilum isolates from Norway, Chile, Denmark and Scotland were analyzed. The results were compared with previous work on the same pathogen using MLST for genetic differentiation. Results The VNTR analysis gave a separation between the F. psychrophilum isolates supporting the results of previous MLST work. A higher diversity was found among the Chilean isolates compared to those from Norway, which suggests a more homogenous reservoir in Norway. Transgenerational transmission of F. psychrophilum from other countries, exporting salmon embryos to Chile, may explain the differences in diversity. The same transmission mechanisms could also explain the wide geographical distribution of identical isolates in Norway. But, this could also be a result of movement of smolts and embryos. The selected VNTRs are stable genetic markers and no variation was observed after several passages on agar plates at different temperatures. Conclusions These VNTRs are important additions for genotyping of F. psychrophilum isolates. Future studies on VNTRs of F. psychrophilum should include isolates from more host species from a wider geographical area. To get a more robust genotyping the VNTRs should be used in concert with MLST. Future studies of isolates with high and low virulence should focus on identifying virulence markers using VTNRs and MLST. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0469-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Apablaza
- Fish Diseases Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Øyvind J Brevik
- Fish Diseases Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Svein Mjøs
- Nofima, Kjerreidviken 16, 5141, Fyllingsdalen, Bergen, Norway.
| | | | - Pedro Ilardi
- Veterquímica, Camino Melipilla 5641, Cerrillos, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Juan Battaglia
- Veterquímica, Camino Melipilla 5641, Cerrillos, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Inger Dalsgaard
- National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Are Nylund
- Fish Diseases Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. 7803, N-5020, Bergen, Norway.
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Gu Q, Li X, Qu P, Hou S, Li J, Atwill ER, Chen S. Characterization of Francisella species isolated from the cooling water of an air conditioning system. Braz J Microbiol 2015; 46:921-7. [PMID: 26413079 PMCID: PMC4568874 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-838246320140465] [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: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Strains of Francisella spp. were isolated from cooling water from an
air conditioning system in Guangzhou, China. These strains are Gram negative,
coccobacilli, non-motile, oxidase negative, catalase negative, esterase and lipid
esterase positive. In addition, these bacteria grow on cysteine-supplemented media at
20 °C to 40 °C with an optimal growth temperature of 30 °C. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene
sequences revealed that these strains belong to the genus
Francisella. Biochemical tests and phylogenetic and BLAST
analyses of 16S rRNA, rpoB and sdhA genes indicated
that one strain was very similar to Francisella philomiragia and
that the other strains were identical or highly similar to the Francisella
guangzhouensis sp. nov. strain 08HL01032 we previously described.
Biochemical and molecular characteristics of these strains demonstrated that multiple
Francisella species exist in air conditioning systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Gu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xunde Li
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, California, USA
| | - Pinghua Qu
- Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, University City Branch, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuiping Hou
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juntao Li
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Edward R Atwill
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, California, USA
| | - Shouyi Chen
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
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Ruane NM, Bolton-Warberg M, Rodger HD, Colquhoun DJ, Geary M, McCleary SJ, O'Halloran K, Maher K, O'Keeffe D, Mirimin L, Henshilwood K, Geoghegan F, Fitzgerald RD. An outbreak of francisellosis in wild-caught Celtic Sea Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., juveniles reared in captivity. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2015; 38:97-102. [PMID: 24261672 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N M Ruane
- Fish Health Unit, Marine Institute, Oranmore, County Galway, Ireland
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Genome sequence and phenotypic analysis of a first German Francisella sp. isolate (W12-1067) not belonging to the species Francisella tularensis. BMC Microbiol 2014; 14:169. [PMID: 24961323 PMCID: PMC4230796 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-14-169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Francisella isolates from patients suffering from tularemia in Germany are generally strains of the species F. tularensis subsp. holarctica. To our knowledge, no other Francisella species are known for Germany. Recently, a new Francisella species could be isolated from a water reservoir of a cooling tower in Germany. RESULTS We identified a Francisella sp. (isolate W12-1067) whose 16S rDNA is 99% identical to the respective nucleotide sequence of the recently published strain F. guangzhouensis. The overall sequence identity of the fopA, gyrA, rpoA, groEL, sdhA and dnaK genes is only 89%, indicating that strain W12-1067 is not identical to F. guangzhouensis. W12-1067 was isolated from a water reservoir of a cooling tower of a hospital in Germany. The growth optimum of the isolate is approximately 30°C, it can grow in the presence of 4-5% NaCl (halotolerant) and is able to grow without additional cysteine within the medium. The strain was able to replicate within a mouse-derived macrophage-like cell line. The whole genome of the strain was sequenced (~1.7 mbp, 32.2% G + C content) and the draft genome was annotated. Various virulence genes common to the genus Francisella are present, but the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) is missing. However, another putative type-VI secretion system is present within the genome of strain W12-1067. CONCLUSIONS Isolate W12-1067 is closely related to the recently described F. guangzhouensis species and it replicates within eukaryotic host cells. Since W12-1067 exhibits a putative new type-VI secretion system and F. tularensis subsp. holarctica was found not to be the sole species in Germany, the new isolate is an interesting species to be analyzed in more detail. Further research is needed to investigate the epidemiology, ecology and pathogenicity of Francisella species present in Germany.
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Duodu S, Wan X, Tandstad NM, Larsson P, Myrtennäs K, Sjödin A, Forsman M, Colquhoun DJ. An improved multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) for the fish pathogen Francisella noatunensis using capillary electrophoresis. BMC Vet Res 2013; 9:252. [PMID: 24330665 PMCID: PMC3878797 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Francisellosis, caused by the bacterium Francisella noatunensis subsp. noatunensis, remains a serious threat to Atlantic cod (Gadhus morhua) farming in Norway and potentially in other countries. As outbreak strains appear clonal in population structure, access to highly discriminatory typing tools is critical for understanding the epidemiology of francisellosis infections in aquaculture. In this study, a simplified multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) targeting five highly polymorphic variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci in a single multiplex PCR was developed to rapidly discriminate between outbreak strains. RESULTS The assay resulted in identification of at least 13 different allelic profiles or subpopulations among 91 F. noatunensis isolates from farmed cod in Norway. The VNTR loci appear relatively stable, with isolates originating from individual outbreaks showing identical MLVA profiles following repeated passage. MLVA displayed greater discriminatory power than pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Both MLVA and PFGE show good epidemiological concordance by their abilities to separate outbreak strains from epidemiologically unrelated isolates. CONCLUSIONS The MLVA method presented here is robust, easy to perform and provides a good alternative to other typing systems for F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis and epidemiological study of francisellosis in cod.
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Abstract
Our understanding of the virulence and pathogenesis of Francisella spp. has significantly advanced in recent years, including a new understanding that this organism can form biofilms. What is known so far about Francisella spp. biofilms is summarized here and future research questions are suggested. The molecular basis of biofilm production has begun to be studied, especially the role of extracellular carbohydrates and capsule, quorum sensing and two-component signaling systems. Further work has explored the contribution of amoebae, pili, outer-membrane vesicles, chitinases, and small molecules such as c-di-GMP to Francisella spp. biofilm formation. A role for Francisella spp. biofilm in feeding mosquito larvae has been suggested. As no strong role in virulence has been found yet, Francisella spp. biofilm formation is most likely a key mechanism for environmental survival and persistence. The significance and importance of Francisella spp.’s biofilm phenotype as a critical aspect of its microbial physiology is being developed. Areas for further studies include the potential role of Francisella spp. biofilms in the infection of mammalian hosts and virulence regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique L van Hoek
- School of Systems Biology and National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases; George Mason University; Manassas, VA USA
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Qu PH, Chen SY, Scholz HC, Busse HJ, Gu Q, Kämpfer P, Foster JT, Glaeser SP, Chen C, Yang ZC. Francisella guangzhouensis sp. nov., isolated from air-conditioning systems. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2013; 63:3628-3635. [PMID: 23606480 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.049916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Four strains (08HL01032(T), 09HG994, 10HP82-6 and 10HL1960) were isolated from water of air-conditioning systems of various cooling towers in Guangzhou city, China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative coccobacilli without flagella, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, showing no reduction of nitrate, no hydrolysis of urea and no production of H2S. Growth was characteristically enhanced in the presence of l-cysteine, which was consistent with the properties of members of the genus Francisella. The quinone system was composed of ubiquinone Q-8 with minor amounts of Q-9. The polar lipid profile consisted of the predominant lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified phospholipids (PL2, PL3), an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid (GL2). The polyamine pattern consisted of the major compounds spermidine, cadaverine and spermine. The major cellular fatty acids were C10 : 0, C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 1 3-OH. A draft whole-genome sequence of the proposed type strain 08HL01032(T) was generated. Comparative sequence analysis of the complete 16S and 23S rRNA genes confirmed affiliation to the genus Francisella, with 95 % sequence identity to the closest relatives in the database, the type strains of Francisella philomiragia and Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. Full-length deduced amino acid sequences of various housekeeping genes, recA, gyrB, groEL, dnaK, rpoA, rpoB, rpoD, rpoH, fopA and sdhA, exhibited similarities of 67-92 % to strains of other species of the genus Francisella. Strains 08HL01032(T), 09HG994, 10HP82-6 and 10HL1960 exhibited highly similar pan-genome PCR profiles. Both the phenotypic and molecular data support the conclusion that the four strains belong to the genus Francisella but exhibit considerable divergence from all recognized Francisella species. Therefore, we propose the name Francisella guangzhouensis sp. nov., with the type strain 08HL01032(T) ( = CCUG 60119(T) = NCTC 13503(T)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Hua Qu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shou-Yi Chen
- Department of Microbiological Laboratory, Guangzhou Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, No. 23, 3rd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Holger C Scholz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Busse
- Institut für Bakteriologie, Mykologie und Hygiene, Veterinärmedizinische Universität, A-1210 Wien, Austria
| | - Quan Gu
- Department of Microbiological Laboratory, Guangzhou Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, No. 23, 3rd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Peter Kämpfer
- Institute for Applied Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jeffrey T Foster
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4073, USA
| | - Stefanie P Glaeser
- Institute for Applied Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Cha Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Zhi-Chong Yang
- Department of Microbiological Laboratory, Guangzhou Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, No. 23, 3rd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
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Duodu S, Larsson P, Sjödin A, Soto E, Forsman M, Colquhoun DJ. Real-time PCR assays targeting unique DNA sequences of fish-pathogenic Francisella noatunensis subspecies noatunensis and orientalis. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2012; 101:225-234. [PMID: 23324419 DOI: 10.3354/dao02514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Specific identification and differentiation of the 2 subspecies of the fish pathogen Francisella noatunensis, namely, F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis and F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis, remains a major diagnostic challenge. Following whole-genome sequencing and analysis of representatives of all major subclades of the genus Francisella, specific genomic regions were identified for each of the subspecies of this fish pathogen. Two specific real-time quantitative PCR assays, directed at hypothetical genes within these regions were developed. Specificity was confirmed by lack of signal and cross-reactivity with the closest relative, F. philomiragia, and other common bacterial fish pathogens. Both assays, used either as monoplex or multiplex, have a limit of detection of 10 genome equivalents. The quantitative sensitivity of the assays was not affected by the presence of kidney tissues or DNA from Atlantic cod Gadus morhua or tilapia Oreochromis sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Duodu
- Section for Bacteriology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, PO Box 750, Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway.
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Ahlinder J, Öhrman C, Svensson K, Lindgren P, Johansson A, Forsman M, Larsson P, Sjödin A. Increased knowledge of Francisella genus diversity highlights the benefits of optimised DNA-based assays. BMC Microbiol 2012; 12:220. [PMID: 23009728 PMCID: PMC3575276 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent advances in sequencing technologies offer promising tools for generating large numbers of genomes, larger typing databases and improved mapping of environmental bacterial diversity. However, DNA-based methods for the detection of Francisella were developed with limited knowledge about genetic diversity. This, together with the high sequence identity between several Francisella species, means there is a high risk of false identification and detection of the highly virulent pathogen Francisella tularensis. Moreover, phylogenetic reconstructions using single or limited numbers of marker sequences often result in incorrect tree topologies and inferred evolutionary distances. The recent growth in publicly accessible whole-genome sequences now allows evaluation of published genetic markers to determine optimal combinations of markers that minimise both time and laboratory costs. Results In the present study, we evaluated 38 previously published DNA markers and the corresponding PCR primers against 42 genomes representing the currently known diversity of the genus Francisella. The results highlight that PCR assays for Francisella tularensis are often complicated by low specificity, resulting in a high probability of false positives. A method to select a set of one to seven markers for obtaining optimal phylogenetic resolution or diagnostic accuracy is presented. Conclusions Current multiple-locus sequence-typing systems and detection assays of Francisella, could be improved by redesigning some of the primers and reselecting typing markers. The use of only a few optimally selected sequence-typing markers allows construction of phylogenetic topologies with almost the same accuracy as topologies based on whole-genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Ahlinder
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI, Swedish Defence Research Agency, SE- 906 21, Umeå, Sweden.
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Siddaramappa S, Challacombe JF, Petersen JM, Pillai S, Kuske CR. Genetic diversity within the genus Francisella as revealed by comparative analyses of the genomes of two North American isolates from environmental sources. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:422. [PMID: 22920915 PMCID: PMC3479022 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Francisella tularensis is an intracellular pathogen that causes tularemia in humans and the public health importance of this bacterium has been well documented in recent history. Francisella philomiragia, a distant relative of F. tularensis, is thought to constitute an environmental lineage along with Francisella novicida. Nevertheless, both F. philomiragia and F. novicida have been associated with human disease, primarily in immune-compromised individuals. To understand the genetic relationships and evolutionary contexts among different lineages within the genus Francisella, the genome of Francisella spp. strain TX07-7308 was sequenced and compared to the genomes of F. philomiragia strains ATCC 25017 and 25015, F. novicida strain U112, and F. tularensis strain Schu S4. Results The size of strain ATCC 25017 chromosome was 2,045,775 bp and contained 1,983 protein-coding genes. The size of strain TX07-7308 chromosome was 2,035,931 bp and contained 1,980 protein-coding genes. Pairwise BLAST comparisons indicated that strains TX07-7308 and ATCC 25017 contained 1,700 protein coding genes in common. NUCmer analyses revealed that the chromosomes of strains TX07-7308 and ATCC 25017 were mostly collinear except for a few gaps, translocations, and/or inversions. Using the genome sequence data and comparative analyses with other members of the genus Francisella (e.g., F. novicida strain U112 and F. tularensis strain Schu S4), several strain-specific genes were identified. Strains TX07-7308 and ATCC 25017 contained an operon with six open reading frames encoding proteins related to enzymes involved in thiamine biosynthesis that was absent in F. novicida strain U112 and F. tularensis strain Schu S4. Strain ATCC 25017 contained an operon putatively involved in lactose metabolism that was absent in strain TX07-7308, F. novicida strain U112, and F. tularensis strain Schu S4. In contrast, strain TX07-7308 contained an operon putatively involved in glucuronate metabolism that was absent in the genomes of strain ATCC 25017, F. novicida strain U112, and F. tularensis strain Schu S4. The polymorphic nature of polysaccharide biosynthesis/modification gene clusters among different Francisella strains was also evident from genome analyses. Conclusions From genome comparisons, it appeared that genes encoding novel functions have contributed to the metabolic enrichment of the environmental lineages within the genus Francisella. The inability to acquire new genes coupled with the loss of ancestral traits and the consequent reductive evolution may be a cause for, as well as an effect of, niche selection of F. tularensis. Sequencing and comparison of the genomes of more isolates are required to obtain further insights into the ecology and evolution of different species within the genus Francisella.
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Sjödin A, Svensson K, Öhrman C, Ahlinder J, Lindgren P, Duodu S, Johansson A, Colquhoun DJ, Larsson P, Forsman M. Genome characterisation of the genus Francisella reveals insight into similar evolutionary paths in pathogens of mammals and fish. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:268. [PMID: 22727144 PMCID: PMC3485624 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior to this study, relatively few strains of Francisella had been genome-sequenced. Previously published Francisella genome sequences were largely restricted to the zoonotic agent F. tularensis. Only limited data were available for other members of the Francisella genus, including F. philomiragia, an opportunistic pathogen of humans, F. noatunensis, a serious pathogen of farmed fish, and other less well described endosymbiotic species. RESULTS We determined the phylogenetic relationships of all known Francisella species, including some for which the phylogenetic positions were previously uncertain. The genus Francisella could be divided into two main genetic clades: one included F. tularensis, F. novicida, F. hispaniensis and Wolbachia persica, and another included F. philomiragia and F. noatunensis.Some Francisella species were found to have significant recombination frequencies. However, the fish pathogen F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis was an exception due to it exhibiting a highly clonal population structure similar to the human pathogen F. tularensis. CONCLUSIONS The genus Francisella can be divided into two main genetic clades occupying both terrestrial and marine habitats. However, our analyses suggest that the ancestral Francisella species originated in a marine habitat. The observed genome to genome variation in gene content and IS elements of different species supports the view that similar evolutionary paths of host adaptation developed independently in F. tularensis (infecting mammals) and F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis (infecting fish).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Sjödin
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Svensson
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Caroline Öhrman
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon Ahlinder
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Petter Lindgren
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Samuel Duodu
- Section for Bacteriology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Postbox 750 sentrum, 0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Johansson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, SE-901 85, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Duncan J Colquhoun
- Section for Bacteriology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Postbox 750 sentrum, 0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pär Larsson
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mats Forsman
- Division of CBRN Security and Defence, FOI - Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
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Roles of inflammatory caspases during processing of zebrafish interleukin-1β in Francisella noatunensis infection. Infect Immun 2012; 80:2878-85. [PMID: 22689811 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00543-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The interleukin-1 family of cytokines are essential for the control of pathogenic microbes but are also responsible for devastating autoimmune pathologies. Consequently, tight regulation of inflammatory processes is essential for maintaining homeostasis. In mammals, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is primarily regulated at two levels, transcription and processing. The main pathway for processing IL-1β is the inflammasome, a multiprotein complex that forms in the cytosol and which results in the activation of inflammatory caspase (caspase 1) and the subsequent cleavage and secretion of active IL-1β. Although zebrafish encode orthologs of IL-1β and inflammatory caspases, the processing of IL-1β by activated caspase(s) has never been examined. Here, we demonstrate that in response to infection with the fish-specific bacterial pathogen Francisella noatunensis, primary leukocytes from adult zebrafish display caspase-1-like activity that results in IL-1β processing. Addition of caspase 1 or pancaspase inhibitors considerably abrogates IL-1β processing. As in mammals, this processing event is concurrent with the secretion of cleaved IL-1β into the culture medium. Furthermore, two putative zebrafish inflammatory caspase orthologs, caspase A and caspase B, are both able to cleave IL-1β, but with different specificities. These results represent the first demonstration of processing and secretion of zebrafish IL-1β in response to a pathogen, contributing to our understanding of the evolutionary processes governing the regulation of inflammation.
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Wangen IH, Karlsbakk E, Einen ACB, Ottem KF, Nylund A, Mortensen S. Fate of Francisella noatunensis, a pathogen of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, in blue mussels Mytilus edulis. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2012; 98:63-72. [PMID: 22422130 DOI: 10.3354/dao02427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Francisellosis, caused by the bacterium Francisella noatunensis, is one of the most severe diseases affecting farmed cod, and has caused great economic loss for the cod farming industry in Norway. We studied the fate of F. noatunensis in the marine environment, focusing on the role of blue mussels. In experimental challenges, waterborne F. noatunensis was rapidly filtered by the blue mussel and transported to the digestive diverticulae. The bacteria passed through the entire digestive system. Intraperitoneal injection of cod with suspensions prepared from faeces collected from challenged mussels resulted in the development of francisellosis in the recipients, demonstrating that some bacteria were alive and infective when shed in mussel faeces. Bacterial clearance from the mussels was relatively fast, and no evidence was found, suggesting that the bacterium is capable of persisting or multiplying in the mussel tissues. A cohabitation experiment with cod and mussels previously exposed to F. noatunensis did not lead to infection in cod. A direct transmission from contaminated mussels to cod was thus not demonstrated; however, faeces particles with infective bacteria may play a role in the transmission of the bacterium in marine food chains.
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Soto E, Revan F. Culturability and persistence of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (syn. Francisella asiatica) in sea- and freshwater microcosms. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2012; 63:398-404. [PMID: 21881943 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-011-9932-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (syn. Francisella asiatica), the causative agent of franciselliosis in warm-water fish, is a Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium. Although it has been characterized as one of the most pathogenic bacteria in fish, the water conditions that allow for its survival and infectious capacities outside the fish host are not known. Data obtained in this project indicate that both temperature and salinity are important factors in the culturability and persistence of F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis in both sea- and freshwater microcosms. These results indicate that culturable F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis persist for longer periods of time and at higher numbers in seawater, and its persistence is inversely related to water temperature. Moreover, the pathogenic properties of the bacteria suspended in water microcosms appear to decrease after only 24 h and become non-infective after 2 days in the absence of the fish host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Soto
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Farm, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
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Genetic analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (syn. F. asiatica) isolates from fish. Vet Microbiol 2012; 154:407-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Brevik OJ, Ottem KF, Kamaishi T, Watanabe K, Nylund A. Francisella halioticida sp. nov., a pathogen of farmed giant abalone (Haliotis gigantea) in Japan. J Appl Microbiol 2011; 111:1044-56. [PMID: 21883728 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.05133.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In 2005, a Francisella sp. was isolated from diseased cultured giant abalone (Haliotis gigantea) in Japan. The aim of this study was to clarify the taxonomic status of this Francisella sp. Shimane-1 isolate in relation to the four described Francisella species. METHODS AND RESULTS The 16S rRNA gene and several housekeeping genes of the Shimane-1 were compared to isolates of the four recognized species within the Francisella genus. DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) and biochemical profile comparison were performed with the two phylogenetically closely related species, Francisella philomiragia and Francisella noatunensis. Results show that the Shimane-1 is genetically different from all described Francisella species and differs phenotypically from F. philomiragia and F. noatunensis. The average DDH similarity of Francisella sp. Shimane-1 to F. noatunensis ssp. noatunensis (NCIMB14265(T)) and to F. philomiragia (DSM7535(T)) was 49·2 and 61%, respectably, clearly supporting the establishment of Shimane-1 as a new species within the Francisella genus. CONCLUSIONS The phenotypic and genetic results presented in this study suggest the establishment of Shimane-1 as a novel species, for which the name Francisella halioticida sp. nov. (=LMG26062(T), =DSM23729(T)) is proposed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study clarifies the taxonomic position and characteristics of a novel mollusc pathogenic Francisella species.
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Affiliation(s)
- O J Brevik
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Soto E, Baumgartner W, Wiles J, Hawke JP. Francisella asiatica as the causative agent of piscine francisellosis in cultured tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in the United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 2011; 23:821-5. [DOI: 10.1177/1040638711407058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella asiatica is a Gram-negative, pleomorphic, facultative intracellular, bacterial pathogen that causes acute to chronic disease in a wide variety of warm-water cultured and wild fish species. Outbreaks of francisellosis in warm water fish have been documented in Taiwan, Japan, United Kingdom, Hawaii, and Latin America (including Costa Rica) but the organism has only been reported from the United States on one occasion from hybrid striped bass in California. In 2010, the bacterium was detected from diseased tilapia by culture on cystine heart agar supplemented with hemoglobin and by utilizing an F. asiatica–specific real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) were cultured in an indoor, closed, recirculating aquaculture facility in the Midwest of the United States. The identity of isolates recovered from diseased fish was confirmed as F. asiatica by amplification and sequence comparison of the 16S ribosomal RNA and intracellular growth locus C ( iglC) gene. Gross and microscopic examination of affected tissues revealed the presence of marked anterior renomegaly and splenomegaly with severe granulomatous disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Soto
- Louisiana State University, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA (Soto, Baumgartner, Wiles, Hawke)
- Ross University, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, West Indies (Soto)
| | - Wes Baumgartner
- Louisiana State University, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA (Soto, Baumgartner, Wiles, Hawke)
- Ross University, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, West Indies (Soto)
| | - Judy Wiles
- Louisiana State University, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA (Soto, Baumgartner, Wiles, Hawke)
- Ross University, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, West Indies (Soto)
| | - John P. Hawke
- Louisiana State University, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA (Soto, Baumgartner, Wiles, Hawke)
- Ross University, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, West Indies (Soto)
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Zerihun MA, Feist SW, Bucke D, Olsen AB, Tandstad NM, Colquhoun DJ. Francisella noatunensis subsp. noatunensis is the aetiological agent of visceral granulomatosis in wild Atlantic cod Gadus morhua. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2011; 95:65-71. [PMID: 21797037 DOI: 10.3354/dao02341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
During the 1980s and 1990s wild-caught cod displaying visceral granulomatosis were sporadically identified from the southern North Sea. Presumptive diagnoses at the time included mycobacterial infection, although mycobacteria were never cultivated or observed histologically from these fish. Farmed cod in Norway displaying gross pathology similar to that identified previously in cod from the southern North Sea were recently discovered to be infected with the bacterium Francisella noatunensis subsp, noatunensis. Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from the original North Sea cases were investigated for the presence of Mycobacterium spp. and Francisella spp. using real-time polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Whilst no evidence of mycobacterial infection was found, F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis was identified in association with pathological changes consistent with Francisella infections described from farmed cod in recent years. This study shows that francisellosis occurred in wild-caught cod in the southern North Sea in the 1980s and 1990s and demonstrates that this disease predates intensive aquaculture of cod.
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Colquhoun DJ, Duodu S. Francisella infections in farmed and wild aquatic organisms. Vet Res 2011; 42:47. [PMID: 21385413 PMCID: PMC3060124 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-42-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last 10 years or so, infections caused by bacteria belonging to a particular branch of the genus Francisella have become increasingly recognised in farmed fish and molluscs worldwide. While the increasing incidence of diagnoses may in part be due to the development and widespread availability of molecular detection techniques, the domestication of new organisms has undoubtedly instigated emergence of clinical disease in some species. Francisellosis in fish develops in a similar fashion independent of host species and is commonly characterised by the presence of multi-organ granuloma and high morbidity, with varying associated mortality levels. A number of fish species are affected including Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua; tilapia, Oreochromis sp.; Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar; hybrid striped bass, Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis and three-lined grunt, Parapristipoma trilinineatum. The disease is highly infectious and often prevalent in affected stocks. Most, if not all strains isolated from teleost fish belong to either F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis in warm water fish species or Francisella noatunensis subsp. noatunensis in coldwater fish species. The disease is quite readily diagnosed following histological examination and identification of the aetiological bacterium by culture on cysteine rich media or PCR. The available evidence may indicate a degree of host specificity for the various Francisella strains, although this area requires further study. No effective vaccine is currently available. Investigation of the virulence mechanisms and host response shows similarity to those known from Francisella tularensis infection in mammals. However, no evidence exists for zoonotic potential amongst the fish pathogenic Francisella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan J Colquhoun
- Section for Fish health, National Veterinary Institute, Postbox 750 sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway.
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Birkbeck TH, Feist SW, Verner-Jeffreys DW. Francisella infections in fish and shellfish. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2011; 34:173-187. [PMID: 21306585 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2010.01226.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A series of recent reports have implicated bacteria from the family Francisellaceae as the cause of disease in farmed and wild fish and shellfish species such as Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., tilapia, Oreochromis spp., Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., three-line grunt, Parapristipoma trilineatum (Thunberg), ornamental cichlid species, hybrid striped bass Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis and, recently, a shellfish species, the giant abalone, Haliotisgigantea Gmelin. The range of taxa affected will very probably rise as it is likely that there has been considerable under-reporting to date of these disease agents. In common with other Francisella species, their isolation and culture require specialized solid and liquid media containing cysteine and a source of iron. This likely restricted earlier efforts to identify them correctly as the cause of disease in aquatic animals. The most information to date relates to disease in cod, caused by F. noatunensis and tilapia, caused by F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis (also termed F. asiatica), both causing granulomatous inflammatory reactions. Mortalities in both species can be high and, as the disease can likely be transferred via live fish movements, they pose a significant threat to tilapia and cod aquaculture operations. Although the fish-pathogenic Francisella species are classified in the same genus as the human pathogens F. tularensis, causative agent of tularemia, and F. philomiragia, the risk to humans from the fish and shellfish pathogenic Francisella species is considered very low.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Birkbeck
- University of London Marine Biological Station, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, UK
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