M protein of a Streptococcus dysgalactiae human wound isolate shows multiple binding to different plasma proteins and shares epitopes with keratin and human cartilage

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis infection and its intersection with Streptococcus pyogenes

SUMMARYStreptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is an increasingly recognized cause of disease in humans. Disease manifestations range from non-invasive superficial skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis. Invasive disease is usually associated with co-morbidities, immunosuppression, and advancing age. The crude incidence of invasive disease approaches that of the closely related pathogen, Streptococcus pyogenes. Genomic epidemiology using whole-genome sequencing has revealed important insights into global SDSE population dynamics including emerging lineages and spread of anti-microbial resistance. It has also complemented observations of overlapping pathobiology between SDSE and S. pyogenes, including shared virulence factors and mobile gene content, potentially underlying shared pathogen phenotypes. This review provides an overview of the clinical and genomic epidemiology, disease manifestations, treatment, and virulence determinants of human infections with SDSE with a particular focus on its overlap with S. pyogenes. In doing so, we highlight the importance of understanding the overlap of SDSE and S. pyogenes to inform surveillance and disease control strategies.

Genetics and Pathogenicity Factors of Group C and G Streptococci

Of the eight phylogenetic groups comprising the genus Streptococcus , Lancefield group C and G streptococci (GCS and GGS, resp.) occupy four of them, including the Pyogenic, Anginosus, and Mitis groups, and one Unnamed group so far. These organisms thrive as opportunistic commensals in both humans and animals but may also be associated with clinically serious infections, often resembling those due to their closest genetic relatives, the group A streptoccci (GAS). Advances in molecular genetics, taxonomic approaches and phylogenomic studies have led to the establishment of at least 12 species, several of which being subdivided into subspecies. This review summarizes these advances, citing 264 early and recent references. It focuses on the molecular structure and genetic regulation of clinically important proteins associated with the cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane and extracellular environment. The article also addresses the question of how, based on the current knowledge, basic research and translational medicine might proceed to further advance our understanding of these multifaceted organisms. Particular emphasis in this respect is placed on streptokinase as the protein determining the host specificity of infection and the Rsh-mediated stringent response with its potential for supporting bacterial survival under nutritional stress conditions.

In Vivo Efficacy of a Chimeric Peptide Derived from the Conserved Region of the M Protein against Group C and G Streptococci

The J8 peptide from the conserved region of the M protein protects against group A streptococcus infections. In this study, we demonstrate that vaccination with a J8-containing formulation induces IgG that recognizes and binds group C and G streptococci. Moreover, this formulation has the potential to provide protection against infections caused by these organisms.

Truncated human cytidylate-phosphate-deoxyguanylate-binding protein for improved nucleic acid amplification technique-based detection of bacterial species in human samples

A trunk of human cytidylate-phosphate-deoxyguanylate-binding protein/CXXC finger protein 1 (CFP1), immobilized onto an aminohexyl-Sepharose column, can be used as a preanalytical tool for the selective enrichment of bacterial DNA from mixed solutions with high amounts of human background DNA for nucleic acid amplification technique-based detection of pathogens. The transcriptional activator protein exhibits a high affinity for nonmethylated CpG dinucleotide motifs, which are differentially distributed in prokaryotic and higher eukaryotic genomes. The feasibility of the affinity chromatography (AC) step was tested with DNA from severely septic patients. AC using 16S rRNA gene primers substantially increased PCR sensitivity. Approximately 90% of eukaryotic DNA was removed, which significantly increased the signal-to-noise ratio. Threshold cycle values revealed that sensitivity was elevated at least 10-fold. The change in the ratio of bacterial DNA to human DNA increased from 26% to 74% the likelihood of culture-independent PCR-based identification of bacterial presence. Compared to the results seen with blood culture (which is the clinical gold standard for systemic infections, exhibiting 28% positives), the combination of AC and PCR achieves a significant increase in sensitivity and contributes to shortening the time to results for the initiation of guided antibiotic therapy.

Identification and molecular characterisation of a fibrinogen binding protein from Streptococcus iniae

Background

Binding of serum components by surface M-related proteins, encoded by the emm genes, in streptococci constitutes a major virulence factor in this important group of organisms. The present study demonstrates fibrinogen binding by S. iniae, a Lancefield non-typeable pathogen causing devastating fish losses in the aquaculture industry and an opportunistic pathogen of humans, and identifies the proteins involved and their encoding genes.

Results

Fibrinogen binding by S. iniae significantly reduced respiratory burst activity of barramundi peritoneal macrophages in primary cultures compared to BSA-treated or untreated controls, indicating a potentially important role for fibrinogen binding cell-surface proteins in avoiding phagocytic attack in fish. We describe a novel emm-like gene, simA, encoding a 57 kDa fibrinogen binding M-like protein in S. iniae. These SiM proteins and their corresponding tetrameric structures from some sequevar types (~230 kDa) bound fibrinogen in Western blots. simA was most closely related (32% identity) to the demA gene of S. dysgalactiae. Genome walking and sequencing determined the genetic organization of the simA region had similarities to the mgrC regulon in GCS and to S. uberis. Moreover, a putative multigene regulator, mgx was orientated in the opposite direction to the simA gene in common with S. uberis, but contrary to findings in GAS and GCS. In GAS, diversity among emm-genes and consequent diversity of their M-related proteins results in substantial antigenic variation. However, an extensive survey of S. iniae isolates from diverse geographic regions and hosts revealed only three variants of the gene, with one sequevar accounting for all but two of the 50 isolates analysed.

Conclusion

These proteins play a role in avoiding oxidative attack by phagocytic cells during infection of fish by S. iniae, but genetic diversity amongst these key surface proteins has not yet arisen. This lack of diversity coupled with a functional role in macrophage resistance suggests that these proteins may constitute important targets for future vaccines against S. iniae in fish.

Use of the surface proteins GapC and Mig ofStreptococcus dysgalactiaeas potential protective antigens against bovine mastitis

Streptococcus dysgalactiae is a significant pathogen associated with bovine mastitis in lactating and nonlactating dairy cows, causing a severe inflammatory response of the mammary gland, which results in major economic losses to the dairy industry. Two proteins from S. dysgalactiae strain SDG8 were tested for their protective capacity against a homologous bacterial challenge in a dry cow model. The first was a bovine plasmin receptor protein (GapC), which shares 99.4% sequence identity to the plasmin-binding Plr protein of group A streptococci. The second protein product was Mig, a α2-M-, IgG-, and IgA-binding protein present on the cell surface of SDG8. We investigated the efficacy of immunization with purified recombinant forms of GapC and Mig by measuring the number of somatic cells and assessing the presence of the challenge strain in mammary secretions following challenge. In this model, we found that, although the number of quarters containing SDG8 was significantly reduced in the GapC- but not in the Mig-immunized animals, the somatic cell counts from teat secretions were significantly decreased in both the GapC and Mig vaccinates.Key words: Streptococcus dysgalactiae, bovine mastitis, Mig, GapC, GAPDH.

Characterization of group C and G streptococcal strains that cause streptococcal toxic shock syndrome

Twelve strains (the largest number ever reported) of group C and G(1) streptococci (GCS and GGS, respectively) that caused streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) were collected and characterized. Eleven strains were identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, and one strain was identified as Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. We found that it was the first reported case of STSS caused by S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Cluster analysis according to the 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences revealed that the S. dysgalactiae strains belonged to clusters I and II, both of which were closely related. The emm types and the restriction patterns of chromosomal DNA measured by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were highly variable in these strains except BL2719 and N1434. The 16S rDNA sequences and other characteristics of these two strains were indistinguishable, suggesting the clonal dissemination of this particular S. dysgalactiae strain in Japan. As the involvement of superantigens in the pathogenesis of group A streptococcus-related STSS has been suggested, we tried to detect known streptococcal superantigens in GCS and GGS strains. However, only the spegg gene was detected in seven S. dysgalactiae strains, with none of the other superantigen genes being detected in any of the strains. However, the sagA gene was detected in all of the strains except Tokyo1291. In the present study no apparent factor(s) responsible for the pathogenesis of STSS was identified, although close genetic relationships of GCS and GGS strains involved in this disease were suggested.

Superantigen-like gene(s) in human pathogenic Streptococcus dysgalactiae, subsp equisimilis: genomic localisation of the gene encoding streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin G (speG(dys))

Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) causes about 90% of streptococcal human infections while group C (GCS) and G (GGS) streptococci can be pathogenic for different mammalians. Especially the human pathogenic GCS and GGS, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, subsp. equisimilis, account for 5-8% of the human streptococcal diseases like wound infections, otitis media, purulent pharyngitis and also streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. A defined superantigen so far was not identified in GCS and GGS strains. In the present investigation we screened DNA of GCS and GGS human isolates for the presence of genes for streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (spe) by hybridisation with probes that stand for the GAS genes speA, speC, speZ (smeZ), speH, speG, speI, speJ and ssa. In many GCS and GGS strains we found positive reactions with the probes speG, speJ and ssa, but not with the probes for the remaining genes under investigation. PCR amplification with subsequent sequence analysis of the PCR fragments revealed only the presence of the gene speG in GCS and GGS strains, while no DNA fragments specific for speJ and ssa could be amplified. Additionally, the upstream and downstream regions flanking speG in GGS strain 39072 were sequenced. Remarkable differences were found in the neighbourhood of speG between GAS and GGS sequences. Downstream of speG we identified in strain GGS 39072 two new open reading frames encoding proteins with no similarity to protein sequences accessible in the databases so far. In the compared GAS strains SF370 and MGAS8232, this segment, apart from some small fragments, had been deleted. Our analysis suggests that a gene transfer from GGS to GAS has preceded following deletion of the two genes orf1 and orf2 in GAS.