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Vilca-Machaca LS, Calvay-Sanchez KD, Zarate-Sulca Y, Jimenez-Vasquez V, Ramirez P, Mendoza-Mujica G. Baculovirus-Assisted Production of Bartonella bacilliformis Proteins: A Potential Strategy for Improving Serological Diagnosis of Carrion's Disease. Pathogens 2024; 13:690. [PMID: 39204290 PMCID: PMC11357310 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13080690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Carrion's disease, caused by Bartonella bacilliformis, is a neglected tropical disease prevalent in the Andean region of South America. Without antimicrobial treatment, this disease has a mortality rate of up to 88% in infected patients. The most common method for diagnosing B. bacilliformis infection is serological testing. However, the current serological assays are limited in sensitivity and specificity, underscoring the need for the development of novel and more accurate diagnostic tools. Recombinant proteins have emerged as promising candidates to improve the serological diagnosis of Carrion's disease. So, we focused on evaluating the conditions for producing two previously predicted proteins of B. bacilliformis using the baculovirus-insect cell expression system, mainly the flashBAC ULTRA technology. We assessed various parameters to identify the conditions that yield the highest protein production, including cell lines, temperature, and hours post-infection (hpi). The results showed that the expression conditions for achieving the highest yields of the Prot_689 and Prot_504 proteins were obtained using High Five™ cells at 21 °C and harvesting at 120 hpi. Subsequently, the seroreactivity of recombinant proteins was evaluated using positive sera from patients diagnosed with Carrion's disease. These findings offer valuable insights into the production conditions of B. bacilliformis recombinant proteins using the baculovirus system, which could significantly contribute to developing more precise diagnostic tools for Carrion's disease. Therefore, this research provides implications for improving diagnostics and potentially developing therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizbeth Sally Vilca-Machaca
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15081, Peru
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Bacterial Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lima 15072, Peru
| | | | - Yanina Zarate-Sulca
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Bacterial Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lima 15072, Peru
| | - Victor Jimenez-Vasquez
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Bacterial Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lima 15072, Peru
| | - Pablo Ramirez
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15081, Peru
| | - Giovanna Mendoza-Mujica
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Bacterial Diseases, National Institute of Health, Lima 15072, Peru
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2
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Bullard RL, Cheslock M, Goud Gadila SK, Maggi RG, Breitschwerdt EB, Saied AA, Embers ME. A comparison of Bartonella henselae infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297280. [PMID: 38346057 PMCID: PMC10861063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Bartonellosis refers to disease caused by the Bartonella genus of bacteria. The breadth of disease manifestations associated with Bartonella is currently expanding and includes regional lymphadenopathy, rheumatic, ocular, and neurological disorders. The dearth of knowledge regarding diagnosis, treatment and pathogenesis of this disease can be partially attributed to the lack of a reliable small animal model for the disease. For this study, Bartonella henselae, the most common species associated with human disease, was injected into Swiss Webster (SW) mice. When the outcome indicated that productive infection did not occur, SCID/Beige (immune compromised) mice were inoculated. While SW mice may potentially harbor an acute infection, less than 10 days in length, the SCID/Beige model provided a sustained infection lasting up to 30-days. These data indicate that SCID/Beige mice can provide a model to study Bartonella infection, therapeutics, and vector dynamics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah L. Bullard
- Division of Immunology, Tulane University, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Mercedes Cheslock
- Division of Immunology, Tulane University, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | - Ricardo G. Maggi
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Edward B. Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ahmad A. Saied
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Monica E. Embers
- Division of Immunology, Tulane University, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
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3
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Maia C. Sand fly-borne diseases in Europe: epidemiological overview and potential triggers for their emergence and re-emergence. J Comp Pathol 2024; 209:6-12. [PMID: 38320331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.01.001] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are vectors of human and animal pathogens, including Leishmania species protozoan parasites and viruses of the genus Phlebovirus. In Europe, visceral zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum, a deadly disease when left untreated, is endemic in southern countries, and dogs are the main reservoir hosts for human infection. Most phleboviruses cause asymptomatic infections or flu-like syndromes in humans, but Toscana phlebovirus can cause meningitis and encephalitis. These diseases are likely to re-emerge, posing a growing threat to public and animal health. Potential triggers include the movement of humans and dogs, increasing numbers of immunosuppressive conditions, climate change and other human-mediated environmental changes. An overview of the main epidemiological characteristics of the pathogens transmitted by sand flies in Europe and the potential triggers involved in their emergence and re-emergence are reviewed here. There is a need to implement mandatory notification of human and canine leishmaniases and human phleboviruses and coordinated epidemiological surveillance programmes at a European level, and to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and citizens about sand fly-borne diseases, following a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1348-009, Lisboa, Portugal.
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4
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Ymaña B, Enciso-Benavides J, Moncunill G, Pons MJ. Cytokine Profile Response of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Stimulated by Bartonella bacilliformis. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2024; 44:16-25. [PMID: 37967433 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0107] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Carrion's disease is a neglected endemic disease found in remote Andean areas. As an overlooked disease, knowledge of innate immune responses to Bartonella bacilliformis, the etiological agent, is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the cytokine response to B. bacilliformis using in vitro human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulations. PBMCs from naive adults were isolated by gradient centrifugation and cocultured with heat-inactivated (HI) B. bacilliformis at different incubation times (3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 h). Cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were determined in culture supernatants by multiplex fluorescent bead-based quantitative suspension array technology. During the first 36 h, a proinflammatory response was observed, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, interferon-α2, and IL-6, followed by an anti-inflammatory response mainly related to IL-1RA. Moreover, high expression levels of chemokines IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1α, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β were detected from 3 h poststimulation and MIP-1α was detected at 24 h. Some growth factors, mainly granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and in minor concentrations vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and eotaxin, were also detected. Innate response to HI B. bacilliformis stimulation consists of a rapid and strong proinflammatory response characterized by a wide range of cytokines and chemokines followed by an anti-inflammatory response and increased specific growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ymaña
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas Re-emergentes, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Gemma Moncunill
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria J Pons
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas Re-emergentes, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
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5
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Jimenez-Vasquez V, Calvay-Sanchez KD, Zarate-Sulca Y, Mendoza-Mujica G. In-silico identification of linear B-cell epitopes in specific proteins of Bartonella bacilliformis for the serological diagnosis of Carrion's disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011321. [PMID: 37228134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Carrion´s disease is caused by Bartonella bacilliformis, it is a Gram-negative pleomorphic bacterium. B. bacilliformis is transmitted by Lutzomyia verrucarum in endemic areas of the Peruvian Inter-Andean valleys. Additionally, the pathogenicity of B. bacilliformis involves an initial infection of erythrocytes and the further infection of endothelial cells, which mainly affects children and expectant women from extreme poverty rural areas. Therefore, the implementation of serological diagnostic methods and the development of candidate vaccines for the control of CD could be facilitated by the prediction of linear b-cell epitopes in specific proteins of B. bacilliformis by bioinformatics analysis. In this study, We used an in-silico analysis employing six web servers for the identification of epitopes in proteins of B. bacilliformis. The selection of B. bacilliformis-specific proteins and their analysis to identify epitopes allowed the selection of seven protein candidates that are expected to have high antigenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yanina Zarate-Sulca
- Laboratory of Vector-Borne Bacterial Diseases. National Institute of Health, Lima, Peru
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6
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Mullins K, Canal E, Ouch P, Prasetyo D, Tagoe J, Attram N, Yeboah C, Kumordjie S, Fox A, Letizia AG, Rachlin A, Nguyen HM, Robinson MT, Vongsouvath M, Davong V, Maxay M, Simons MP, Caranci A, Newton PN, Richards AL, Farris CM. Bartonella Species in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, and Peru: Results from Vector and Serosurveys. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:9-17. [PMID: 36633562 PMCID: PMC7614129 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Bartonella species are fastidious gram-negative vector-borne bacteria with a wide range of mammalian reservoirs. While it is understood that some species of Bartonella are human pathogens, the extent of human exposure to Bartonella species (both pathogenic and nonpathogenic) is yet to be fully understood. Materials and Methods: To this end, residual sera from participants enrolled in undifferentiated fever studies in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, and Peru were screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against Bartonella quintana and Bartonella henselae, using the FOCUS diagnostics Dual Spot- Bartonella IgG Immunofluorescence assay. Forty-eight patients with suspected or confirmed Bartonella bacilliformis exposure or infection in Peru were screened to assess cross-reactivity of the FOCUS assay for IgG against other Bartonella species. Results: Ten of 13 patients with confirmed B. bacilliformis infection were Bartonella-specific IgG positive, and overall, 36/48 of the samples were positive. In addition, 79/206, 44/200, 101/180, and 57/100 of the samples from Peru, Laos, Cambodia, and Ghana, respectively, were Bartonella-specific IgG positive. Furthermore, ectoparasite pools from Cambodia, Laos, and Peru were tested using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for the presence of Bartonella DNA. Of the sand fly pools collected in Peru, 0/196 were qPCR positive; 15/140 flea pools collected in Cambodia were qPCR positive; while 0/105 ticks, 0/22 fleas, and 0/3 louse pools collected in Laos tested positive for Bartonella DNA. Conclusion: Evidence of Bartonella in fleas from Cambodia supports the possibility that humans are exposed to Bartonella through this traditional vector. However, Bartonella species were not found in fleas, ticks, or lice from Laos, or sand flies from Peru. This could account for the lower positive serology among the population in Laos and the strictly localized nature of B. bacilliformis infections in Peru. Human exposure to the Bartonella species and Bartonella as a human pathogen warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Mullins
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Pidor Ouch
- Naval Medical Research Unit-2, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - Janice Tagoe
- Naval Medical Research Unit-3 Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Naiki Attram
- Naval Medical Research Unit-3 Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Clara Yeboah
- Naval Medical Research Unit-3 Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Anne Fox
- Naval Medical Research Unit-3 Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Audrey Rachlin
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Hung Manh Nguyen
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Matthew T Robinson
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Center for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Manivanh Vongsouvath
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Qua Fa Ngum, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Viengmon Davong
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Qua Fa Ngum, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Mayfong Maxay
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Center for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute of Research and Education Development, University of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Mark P Simons
- Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Angela Caranci
- Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District, Corona, California, USA
| | - Paul N Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Center for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Allen L Richards
- Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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7
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Abstract
Bartonella bacilliformis causes Carrión's disease, an infectious disease present in rural Andean areas of Peru and Ecuador. The disease has an acute and a chronic phase called Oroya fever and Peruvian wart, respectively. Oroya fever is potentially fatal if treated inadequately. Female Lutzomyia verrucarum, a phlebotomine sand fly endemic to South America, is the major vector. B. bacilliformis exhibits high susceptibility levels to a variety of antibacterial agents. B. bacilliformis is difficult to culture. Most endemic areas are remote with fragile health systems and poor communication. Thus, the true burden of the disease is difficult to ascertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Ruiz
- Grupo de Enfermedades Emergentes y Reemergentes, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
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8
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Immunogenic Peptides from Pap31 and SCS-α of Bartonella bacilliformis: One Step Closer to a Rapid Diagnostic Tool for Carrion's Disease. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080917. [PMID: 34451381 PMCID: PMC8400886 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella bacilliformis is the causal agent of Carrion’s disease, an overlooked illness endemic in the Andean Mountains with Peru being the most affected country. The diagnostic of this illness is a challenge due to the limited resources and the common symptomatology with other infectious diseases. The goal of this study was to identify immunogenic peptides from Pap31 and succinyl-CoA synthetase α (SCS-α) of B. bacilliformis that might be suitable for developing a serologic tool. The immunodominant character of Pap31 and SCS-α was determined by Western blotting and in-silico analysis. Subsequently, 35 peptides were selected for epitope mapping and their immunoreactivity was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 30 sera were tested including pre-exposed people with high IgM levels for Pap31/SCS-α (23 sera), patients (2 sera) as well as 5 sera with no reactivity to Pap31/SCS-α. The results indicate that Pap31-8 (187QAIGSAILKGTKDTGT202) and SCS-α-12 (59IFASVAEGKEKTGANA74) are the most immunogenic peptides, with Pap31-8 showing potential to discriminate between B. bacilliformis and the remaining Bartonella spp., and SCS-α-12 differentiating Bartonella spp. from other microorganisms.
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9
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Molecular Characterization of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Bartonella bacilliformis. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070876. [PMID: 34358026 PMCID: PMC8308817 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of amino acid changes in GyrA, GyrB, ParC, ParE, and in a proposed chromosomal chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT), as well as mutations at 23S rRNA, were established by PCR and sequencing in 38 B. bacilliformis clinical isolates from four different areas in Peru. Eighteen out of 24 (75%) isolates showing ciprofloxacin resistance for both disk-diffusion and e-test presented amino acid substitutions in GyrA (G89C, six isolates, A91V, 1 isolate) GyrB (S474F, 10 isolates) or both (GyrA D95N and GyrB S474F, one isolate). Two out of 14 susceptible isolates presented amino acid substitutions at GyrB (S474F) or a double substitution GyrA D95N and GyrB S474F. Of note, ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates were recovered in the four areas studied. No amino acid change was observed at ParC or ParE. Only one isolate showed chloramphenicol resistance, but no alteration was present in either 23S rRNA or CAT. B. bacilliformis resistant to quinolones are extended throughout Peru, with amino acid substitutions at GyrA or GyrB as the main, albeit not exclusive, cause. B. bacilliformis seems to have an apparent facility to develop mutations on GyrB outside the classical positions 91, 95 of GyrA and 85, 88 of ParC.
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10
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Serral F, Castello FA, Sosa EJ, Pardo AM, Palumbo MC, Modenutti C, Palomino MM, Lazarowski A, Auzmendi J, Ramos PIP, Nicolás MF, Turjanski AG, Martí MA, Fernández Do Porto D. From Genome to Drugs: New Approaches in Antimicrobial Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:647060. [PMID: 34177572 PMCID: PMC8219968 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.647060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Decades of successful use of antibiotics is currently challenged by the emergence of increasingly resistant bacterial strains. Novel drugs are urgently required but, in a scenario where private investment in the development of new antimicrobials is declining, efforts to combat drug-resistant infections become a worldwide public health problem. Reasons behind unsuccessful new antimicrobial development projects range from inadequate selection of the molecular targets to a lack of innovation. In this context, increasingly available omics data for multiple pathogens has created new drug discovery and development opportunities to fight infectious diseases. Identification of an appropriate molecular target is currently accepted as a critical step of the drug discovery process. Here, we review how diverse layers of multi-omics data in conjunction with structural/functional analysis and systems biology can be used to prioritize the best candidate proteins. Once the target is selected, virtual screening can be used as a robust methodology to explore molecular scaffolds that could act as inhibitors, guiding the development of new drug lead compounds. This review focuses on how the advent of omics and the development and application of bioinformatics strategies conduct a "big-data era" that improves target selection and lead compound identification in a cost-effective and shortened timeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Serral
- Instituto de Cálculo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia A Castello
- Instituto de Cálculo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel J Sosa
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustín M Pardo
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Miranda Clara Palumbo
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Modenutti
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Palomino
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto Lazarowski
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jerónimo Auzmendi
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Ivan P Ramos
- Centro de Integração de Dados e Conhecimentos para Saúde (CIDACS), Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Marisa F Nicolás
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica (LNCC), Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Adrián G Turjanski
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo A Martí
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Darío Fernández Do Porto
- Instituto de Cálculo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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11
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Abstract
Since the early 1900s, Bartonella species were known only to cause human disease resulting from very restricted geographic (bartonellosis) or environmental influences ("trench fever"). In the 1990s, and in parallel, cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis were definitively linked to Bartonella species. Subsequently, widespread use of modern diagnostic methods revealed the broad ecologic niche of this organism and greatly expanded our knowledge of the epidemiology and clinical presentations associated with this genus. A large number of reservoirs and vectors involved with Bartonella propagation and transmission to humans have been identified; cats and various arthropods remain the most well-studied to date. Though not completely understood, it appears that specific immune-modulated interactions between the infecting species and host-related factors play a major role in the observed breadth of human clinical syndromes associated with Bartonellae, the large differences in immunopathologic features of tissue samples among different syndromes and potentially the varied responses to antimicrobial therapy. Further, the clinical management for cat scratch disease in particular is quite variable among clinicians, reflecting a poor evidence base. No preventive measures have been developed beyond suggestions to avoid at-risk behavior with known vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M Zangwill
- From the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
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12
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Okaro U, George S, Anderson B. What Is in a Cat Scratch? Growth of Bartonella henselae in a Biofilm. Microorganisms 2021; 9:835. [PMID: 33919891 PMCID: PMC8070961 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, bacteremia, and endocarditis, as well as other clinical presentations. B. henselae has been shown to form a biofilm in vitro that likely plays a role in the establishment and persistence of the bacterium in the host. Biofilms are also known to form in the cat flea vector; hence, the ability of this bacterium to form a biofilm has broad biological significance. The release of B. henselae from a biofilm niche appears to be important in disease persistence and relapse in the vertebrate host but also in transmission by the cat flea vector. It has been shown that the BadA adhesin of B. henselae is critical for adherence and biofilm formation. Thus, the upregulation of badA is important in initiating biofilm formation, and down-regulation is important in the release of the bacterium from the biofilm. We summarize the current knowledge of biofilm formation in Bartonella species and the role of BadA in biofilm formation. We discuss the evidence that defines possible mechanisms for the regulation of the genes required for biofilm formation. We further describe the regulation of those genes in the conditions that mimic both the arthropod vector and the mammalian host for B. henselae. The treatment for persistent B. henselae infection remains a challenge; hence, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which this bacterium persists in its host is critical to inform future efforts to develop drugs to treat such infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udoka Okaro
- Foundational Sciences Directorate, Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Sierra George
- Department of Molecular Medicine, MDC7, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Burt Anderson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, MDC7, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
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13
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Ericson ME, Breitschwerdt EB, Reicherter P, Maxwell C, Maggi RG, Melvin RG, Maluki AH, Bradley JM, Miller JC, Simmons GE, Dencklau J, Joppru K, Peterson J, Bae W, Scanlon J, Bemis LT. Bartonella henselae Detected in Malignant Melanoma, a Preliminary Study. Pathogens 2021; 10:326. [PMID: 33802018 PMCID: PMC7998106 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bartonella bacilliformis (B. bacilliformis), Bartonella henselae (B. henselae), and Bartonella quintana (B. quintana) are bacteria known to cause verruga peruana or bacillary angiomatosis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent cutaneous lesions in humans. Given the bacteria's association with the dermal niche and clinical suspicion of occult infection by a dermatologist, we determined if patients with melanoma had evidence of Bartonella spp. infection. Within a one-month period, eight patients previously diagnosed with melanoma volunteered to be tested for evidence of Bartonella spp. exposure/infection. Subsequently, confocal immunohistochemistry and PCR for Bartonella spp. were used to study melanoma tissues from two patients. Blood from seven of the eight patients was either seroreactive, PCR positive, or positive by both modalities for Bartonella spp. exposure. Subsequently, Bartonella organisms that co-localized with VEGFC immunoreactivity were visualized using multi-immunostaining confocal microscopy of thick skin sections from two patients. Using a co-culture model, B. henselae was observed to enter melanoma cell cytoplasm and resulted in increased vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) production. Findings from this small number of patients support the need for future investigations to determine the extent to which Bartonella spp. are a component of the melanoma pathobiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marna E. Ericson
- T Lab Inc., 910 Clopper Road, Suite 220S, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA;
| | - Edward B. Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (E.B.B.); (R.G.M.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Paul Reicherter
- Dermatology Clinic, Truman Medical Center, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA;
| | - Cole Maxwell
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (C.M.); (A.H.M.); (J.D.); (J.P.); (W.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Ricardo G. Maggi
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (E.B.B.); (R.G.M.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Richard G. Melvin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Duluth Campus, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA; (R.G.M.); (G.E.S.J.); (K.J.)
| | - Azar H. Maluki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (C.M.); (A.H.M.); (J.D.); (J.P.); (W.B.); (J.S.)
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa 54003, Iraq
| | - Julie M. Bradley
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (E.B.B.); (R.G.M.); (J.M.B.)
| | | | - Glenn E. Simmons
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Duluth Campus, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA; (R.G.M.); (G.E.S.J.); (K.J.)
| | - Jamie Dencklau
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (C.M.); (A.H.M.); (J.D.); (J.P.); (W.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Keaton Joppru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Duluth Campus, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA; (R.G.M.); (G.E.S.J.); (K.J.)
| | - Jack Peterson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (C.M.); (A.H.M.); (J.D.); (J.P.); (W.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Will Bae
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (C.M.); (A.H.M.); (J.D.); (J.P.); (W.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Janet Scanlon
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (C.M.); (A.H.M.); (J.D.); (J.P.); (W.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Lynne T. Bemis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Duluth Campus, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA; (R.G.M.); (G.E.S.J.); (K.J.)
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14
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Farfán-López M, Espinoza-Culupú A, García-de-la-Guarda R, Serral F, Sosa E, Palomino MM, Fernández Do Porto DA. Prioritisation of potential drug targets against Bartonella bacilliformis by an integrative in-silico approach. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2020; 115:e200184. [PMID: 32785422 PMCID: PMC7416641 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carrion's disease (CD) is a neglected biphasic illness caused by Bartonella bacilliformis, a Gram-negative bacteria found in the Andean valleys. The spread of resistant strains underlines the need for novel antimicrobials against B. bacilliformis and related bacterial pathogens. OBJECTIVE The main aim of this study was to integrate genomic-scale data to shortlist a set of proteins that could serve as attractive targets for new antimicrobial discovery to combat B. bacilliformis. METHODS We performed a multidimensional genomic scale analysis of potential and relevant targets which includes structural druggability, metabolic analysis and essentiality criteria to select proteins with attractive features for drug discovery. FINDINGS We shortlisted seventeen relevant proteins to develop new drugs against the causative agent of Carrion's disease. Particularly, the protein products of fabI, folA, aroA, trmFO, uppP and murE genes, meet an important number of desirable features that make them attractive targets for new drug development. This data compendium is freely available as a web server (http://target.sbg.qb.fcen.uba.ar/). MAIN CONCLUSION This work represents an effort to reduce the costs in the first phases of B. bacilliformis drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Farfán-López
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Abraham Espinoza-Culupú
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Ruth García-de-la-Guarda
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Federico Serral
- Instituto de Cálculo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Sosa
- Instituto de Cálculo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Palomino
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Darío A Fernández Do Porto
- Instituto de Cálculo, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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15
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The Bartonella autotransporter BafA activates the host VEGF pathway to drive angiogenesis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3571. [PMID: 32678094 PMCID: PMC7366657 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17391-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria of the genus Bartonella can induce vasoproliferative lesions during infection. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but involve secretion of an unidentified mitogenic factor. Here, we use functional transposon-mutant screening in Bartonella henselae to identify such factor as a pro-angiogenic autotransporter, called BafA. The passenger domain of BafA induces cell proliferation, tube formation and sprouting of microvessels, and drives angiogenesis in mice. BafA interacts with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 and activates the downstream signaling pathway, suggesting that BafA functions as a VEGF analog. A BafA homolog from a related pathogen, Bartonella quintana, is also functional. Our work unveils the mechanistic basis of vasoproliferative lesions observed in bartonellosis, and we propose BafA as a key pathogenic factor contributing to bacterial spread and host adaptation. Pathogenic bacteria of the genus Bartonella can induce vasoproliferative lesions during infection. Here, Tsukamoto et al. show that this effect is caused by a secreted protein that induces cell proliferation and angiogenesis by acting as an analog of the host’s vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
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16
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Thibau A, Dichter AA, Vaca DJ, Linke D, Goldman A, Kempf VAJ. Immunogenicity of trimeric autotransporter adhesins and their potential as vaccine targets. Med Microbiol Immunol 2020; 209:243-263. [PMID: 31788746 PMCID: PMC7247748 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00649-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The current problem of increasing antibiotic resistance and the resurgence of numerous infections indicate the need for novel vaccination strategies more than ever. In vaccine development, the search for and the selection of adequate vaccine antigens is the first important step. In recent years, bacterial outer membrane proteins have become of major interest, as they are the main proteins interacting with the extracellular environment. Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are important virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria, are localised on the bacterial surface, and mediate the first adherence to host cells in the course of infection. One example is the Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), which is currently used as a subunit in a licensed vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis. Other TAAs that seem promising vaccine candidates are the Acinetobacter trimeric autotransporter (Ata), the Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia), and TAAs of the genus Bartonella. Here, we review the suitability of various TAAs as vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thibau
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander A. Dichter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diana J. Vaca
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dirk Linke
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Volkhard A. J. Kempf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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17
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Rizzo MF, Osikowicz L, Cáceres AG, Luna-Caipo VD, Suarez-Puyen SM, Bai Y, Kosoy M. Identification of Bartonella rochalimae in Guinea Pigs ( Cavia porcellus) and Fleas Collected from Rural Peruvian Households. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 101:1276-1281. [PMID: 31674296 PMCID: PMC6896888 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we tested 391 fleas collected from guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) (241 Pulex species, 110 Ctenocephalides felis, and 40 Tiamastus cavicola) and 194 fleas collected from human bedding and clothing (142 Pulex species, 43 C. felis, five T. cavicola, and four Ctenocephalides canis) for the presence of Bartonella DNA. We also tested 83 blood spots collected on Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards from guinea pigs inhabiting 338 Peruvian households. Bartonella DNA was detected in 81 (20.7%) of 391 guinea pig fleas, in five (2.6%) of 194 human fleas, and in 16 (19.3%) of 83 guinea pig blood spots. Among identified Bartonella species, B. rochalimae was the most prevalent in fleas (89.5%) and the only species found in the blood spots from guinea pigs. Other Bartonella species detected in fleas included B. henselae (3.5%), B. clarridgeiae (2.3%), and an undescribed Bartonella species (4.7%). Our results demonstrated a high prevalence of zoonotic B. rochalimae in households in rural areas where the research was conducted and suggested a potential role of guinea pigs as a reservoir of this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F. Rizzo
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Lynn Osikowicz
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Abraham G. Cáceres
- Sección de Entomología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Daniel A. Carrión” y Departamento Académico de Microbiología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru
| | - Violeta D. Luna-Caipo
- Dirección Ejecutiva de Salud Ambiental, Sub Región de Salud de Cutervo, Dirección Regional de Salud Cajamarca, Cajamarca, Peru
| | - Segundo M. Suarez-Puyen
- Dirección Ejecutiva de Salud Ambiental y Control Vectorial, Red de Salud Utcubamba, Dirección Regional de Salud Amazonas, Amazonas, Peru
| | - Ying Bai
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Michael Kosoy
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado
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18
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Ulloa GM, Vásquez-Achaya F, Gomes C, Del Valle LJ, Ruiz J, Pons MJ, Del Valle Mendoza J. Molecular Detection of Bartonella bacilliformis in Lutzomyia maranonensis in Cajamarca, Peru: A New Potential Vector of Carrion's Disease in Peru? Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 99:1229-1233. [PMID: 30226144 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Carrion's disease is a neglected, vector-borne illness that affects Colombia, Ecuador, and especially Peru. The phlebotomine sand flies Lutzomyia verrucarum and Lutzomyia peruensis are the main illness vectors described, although other species may be implicated in endemic areas such as some northern Peruvian regions, in which Carrion's disease vector has not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Bartonella bacilliformis DNA in Lutzomyia maranonensis from Cajamarca, northern Peru. This sand fly has not been defined as a vector yet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps were used to collect adult phlebotomine sand flies from 2007 to 2008 in the Cajamarca department. Female specimens were identified using morphological keys and were grouped into pools of five sand flies, taking into account district and sampling site (intradomicile or peridomicile). DNA was extracted, and then conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to detect B. bacilliformis and subsequently confirmed by sequencing. A total of 383 specimens of L. maranonensis species were analyzed. Two of 76 pools were positive for B. bacilliformis by sequencing; all positives pools were from Querocotillo district. In addition, Mesorhizobium spp. were identified in two pools of sand flies, which is an α-proteobacteria phylogenetically very close to B. bacilliformis. This study presents molecular evidence that suggests L. maranonensis is naturally infected by B. bacilliformis in the Cajamarca department. Further research should determine if L. maranonensis is a vector and could transmit B. bacilliformis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M Ulloa
- Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.,Centro de Investigación e Innovación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
| | - Fernando Vásquez-Achaya
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
| | - Cláudia Gomes
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis J Del Valle
- Centre de Recerca en Ciència i Enginyeria Multiescala de Barcelona, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Escuela de Ingeniería de Barcelona Este (EEBE), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Ruiz
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria J Pons
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru.,Laboratorio de Microbiología y Genómica Bacteriana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - Juana Del Valle Mendoza
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
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19
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Ruiz J. Dubious presence of Bartonella bacilliformis in ticks from Madre de Dios, Peru. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:539. [PMID: 31443674 PMCID: PMC6708141 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4528-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella bacilliformis has recently been described in Amblyomma scalpturatum, Amblyomma ovale and Rhipicephalus microplus collected from wild animals in the Peruvian region of Madre de Dios. In this communication, I will discuss the results of a recent study by del Valle-Mendoza et al. together with the B. bacilliformis epidemiology. Following my argumentation, I consider the presence of this microorganism in the above ticks improbable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Ruiz
- Independent Researcher, P.O.Box 16, 08214, Badia del Valles, Spain.
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20
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André MR, Gutiérrez R, Ikeda P, do Amaral RB, de Sousa KCM, Nachum-Biala Y, Lima L, Teixeira MMG, Machado RZ, Harrus S. Genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in vampire bats from Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:2329-2341. [PMID: 31287942 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, an increasing number of Bartonella species have been emerged to cause human diseases. Among animal reservoirs for Bartonella spp., bats stand out due to their high mobility, wide distribution, social behaviour and long-life span. Although studies on the role of vampire bats in the epidemiology of rabies have been extensively investigated in Latin America, information on the circulation and genetic diversity of Bartonella species in these bat species is scarce. In the present work, 208 vampire bats, namely Desmodus rotundus (the common vampire bat; n = 167), Diphylla ecaudata (the hairy-legged vampire bat; n = 32) and Diaemus youngii (the white-winged vampire bat; n = 9) from 15 different states in Brazil were sampled. DNA was extracted from liver tissue samples and submitted to real-time PCR (qPCR) and conventional PCR (cPCR) assays for Bartonella spp. targeting five genetic loci, followed by phylogenetic and genotype network analyses. Fifty-one out of 208 liver samples (24.51%) were positive for Bartonella DNA in the ITS real-time PCR assay [40 (78.43%) of them were from D. rotundus from 11 states, and 11 (21.57%) samples from D. ecaudata from three states. Eleven genotypes were found for each gltA and rpoB genes. Several ITS sequences detected in the present study clustered within the lineage that includes B. bacilliformis and B. ancachensis. The Bayesian phylogenetic inference based on the gltA gene positioned the obtained sequences in six different clades, closely related to Bartonella genotypes previously detected in D. rotundus and associated ectoparasites sampled in Latin America. On the other hand, the Bartonella rpoB genotypes clustered together with the ruminant species, B. schoenbuchensis and B. chomelii. The present study describes for the first time the molecular detection of Bartonella spp. in D. ecaudata bats. It also indicates that Bartonella spp. of vampire bats are genetically diverse and geographically widespread in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos R André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Priscila Ikeda
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renan Bressianini do Amaral
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Luciana Lima
- Departmento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Departmento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Z Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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21
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Garcia-Quintanilla M, Dichter AA, Guerra H, Kempf VAJ. Carrion's disease: more than a neglected disease. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:141. [PMID: 30909982 PMCID: PMC6434794 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3390-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with Bartonella bacilliformis result in Carrion's disease in humans. In the first phase of infection, the pathogen causes a hemolytic fever ("Oroya fever") with case-fatality rates as high as ~90% in untreated patients, followed by a chronical phase resulting in angiogenic skin lesions ("verruga peruana"). Bartonella bacilliformis is endemic to South American Andean valleys and is transmitted via sand flies (Lutzomyia spp.). Humans are the only known reservoir for this old disease and therefore no animal infection model is available. In the present review, we provide the current knowledge on B. bacilliformis and its pathogenicity factors, vectors, possible unknown reservoirs, established and potential infection models and immunological aspects of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Garcia-Quintanilla
- University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander A Dichter
- University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Humberto Guerra
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and the Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Lima, Peru
| | - Volkhard A J Kempf
- University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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22
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Wagner A, Dehio C. Role of distinct type-IV-secretion systems and secreted effector sets in host adaptation by pathogenic Bartonella species. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13004. [PMID: 30644157 PMCID: PMC6519360 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The α‐proteobacterial genus Bartonella comprises a large number of facultative intracellular pathogens that share a common lifestyle hallmarked by hemotrophic infection and arthropod transmission. Speciation in the four deep‐branching lineages (L1–L4) occurred by host adaptation facilitating the establishment of long lasting bacteraemia in specific mammalian reservoir host(s). Two distinct type‐IV‐secretion systems (T4SSs) acquired horizontally by different Bartonella lineages mediate essential host interactions during infection and represent key innovations for host adaptation. The Trw‐T4SS confined to the species‐rich L4 mediates host‐specific erythrocyte infection and likely has functionally replaced flagella as ancestral virulence factors implicated in erythrocyte colonisation by bartonellae of the other lineages. The VirB/VirD4‐T4SS translocates Bartonella effector proteins (Bep) into various host cell types to modulate diverse cellular and innate immune functions involved in systemic spreading of bacteria following intradermal inoculation. Independent acquisition of the virB/virD4/bep locus by L1, L3, and L4 was likely driven by arthropod vectors associated with intradermal inoculation of bacteria rather than facilitating direct access to blood. Subsequently, adaptation to colonise specific niches in the new host has shaped the evolution of complex species‐specific Bep repertoires. This diversification of the virulence factor repertoire of Bartonella spp. represents a remarkable example for parallel evolution of host adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wagner
- Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Dehio
- Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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23
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Ruiz J. Bartonella quintana, past, present, and future of the scourge of World War I. APMIS 2018; 126:831-837. [PMID: 30357961 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
During World War I, a mysterious new disease affected soldiers on both sides of battle field. The first reports described a relapsing fever of unknown origin with body lice being suggested as the vector. The outbreak affected >1 000 000 people, mostly soldiers fighting in front-line trenches. Shortly afterward, the illness was known as Trench fever, of which the causal infectious agent is currently classified as Bartonella quintana.
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Revisiting Bartonella bacilliformis MLST. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 63:231-235. [PMID: 29864510 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
All the studies published including Bartonella bacilliformis MLST data, as well as all B. bacilliformis genomes present in GenBank were analyzed. Overall 64 isolates and their geographical distribution were analyzed, and 14 different MLST patterns were observed. The results highlight the need for expanding the MLST studies and adding a higher number of isolates from all endemic areas.
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