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de Oliveira Sant'Anna L, Dos Santos LS, Olivella JGB, da Cruz Mota M, Ramos JN, Baio PVP, da Rocha DJPG, Vieira VV, Almuzara M, Vay C, Barberis C, Castro TLDP, Seyffert N, Pacheco LGC, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Description of Corynebacterium hiratae sp. nov. isolated from a human tissue bone a novel member of Corynebacterium Genus. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1405-1414. [PMID: 38598149 PMCID: PMC11153448 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01331-z] [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] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corynebacterium spp. are widely disseminated in the environment, and they are part of the skin and mucosal microbiota of animals and humans. Reports of human infections by Corynebacterium spp. have increased considerably in recent years and the appearance of multidrug resistant isolates around the world has drawn attention. OBJECTIVES To describe a new species of Corynebacterium from human tissue bone is described after being misidentified using available methods. METHODS For taxonomic analyses, phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide and amino acid identity, multilocus sequence analysis, and phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome were used. FINDINGS Genomic taxonomic analyzes revealed values of in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide and amino acids identity below the values necessary for species characterization between the analyzed isolates and the closest phylogenetic relative Corynebacterium aurimucosum DSM 44532T. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Genomic taxonomic analyzes indicate that the isolates analyzed comprise a new species of the Corynebacterium genus, which we propose to name Corynebacterium hiratae sp. nov. with isolate 332T (= CBAS 826T = CCBH 35,014T) as the type strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincoln de Oliveira Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Vinte e Oito de Setembro 87, Fundos, 3º andar. Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP:20551-030, Brazil.
| | - Louisy Sanches Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Vinte e Oito de Setembro 87, Fundos, 3º andar. Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP:20551-030, Brazil
| | - Julianna Giordano Botelho Olivella
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Vinte e Oito de Setembro 87, Fundos, 3º andar. Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP:20551-030, Brazil
| | - Mariana da Cruz Mota
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Vinte e Oito de Setembro 87, Fundos, 3º andar. Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP:20551-030, Brazil
| | - Juliana Nunes Ramos
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Vinte e Oito de Setembro 87, Fundos, 3º andar. Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP:20551-030, Brazil
| | | | | | - Verônica Viana Vieira
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry and Bacteriology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa Almuzara
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Vay
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Barberis
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Núbia Seyffert
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Luíza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Vinte e Oito de Setembro 87, Fundos, 3º andar. Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP:20551-030, Brazil
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Omosigho PO, John OO, Adigun OA, Hassan HK, Olabode ON, Micheal AS, Haruna UA, Singh A, Manirambona E. The Re-emergence of Diphtheria Amidst Multiple Outbreaks in Nigeria. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:20-28. [PMID: 38018182 DOI: 10.2174/0118715265251299231117045940] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, has resurfaced in Nigeria, where many outbreaks have been reported in recent years. The outbreaks have occurred across the country, including in areas with high vaccination coverage. Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causal agent, is a highly contagious bacteria that can cause severe respiratory and systemic symptoms and can be fatal if not treated. The reemergence of diphtheria in Nigeria is most likely due to a combination of factors, including gaps in routine immunization regimens. The outbreak is further aggravated by multiple epidemics, which have diverted resources and attention away from the emergency of other infectious diseases. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness of diphtheria in Nigeria. With a focus on the difficulties in controlling the disease, methods of diagnosis, available treatments, and preventive measures, this study provides a thorough analysis of diphtheria, covering its historical context, clinical presentation, associated complications, and current outbreaks. It emphasizes how important vaccination, early detection, and better access to healthcare are in reducing diphtheria outbreaks. The study highlights the serious effects of diphtheria on public health, particularly in regions with scarce resources and vaccine resistance, and offers a number of suggestions to overcome these challenges and prevent further outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pius Omoruyi Omosigho
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University Uzairue, Benin, Nigeria
| | - Okesanya Olalekan John
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Olaleke Noah Olabode
- Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Abioye Sunday Micheal
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | | | - Amandeep Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Emery Manirambona
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
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Garrigos T, Grimal A, Badell E, Traversier N, Picot S, Lignereux A, Ramiandrisoa M, Ben Cimon C, Jaffar-Bandjee MC, Gbaguidi-Haore H, Toubiana J, Brisse S, Miltgen G, Belmonte O. Emerging Corynebacterium diphtheriae Species Complex Infections, Réunion Island, France, 2015-2020. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1630-1633. [PMID: 37486209 PMCID: PMC10370861 DOI: 10.3201/eid2908.230106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical, epidemiologic, and microbiologic analyses revealed emergence of 26 cases of Corynebacterium diphtheriae species complex infections on Réunion Island, France, during 2015-2020. Isolates were genetically diverse, indicating circulation and local transmission of several diphtheria sublineages. Clinicians should remain aware of the risk for diphtheria and improve diagnostic methods and patient management.
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Sting R, Pölzelbauer C, Eisenberg T, Bonke R, Blazey B, Peters M, Riße K, Sing A, Berger A, Dangel A, Rau J. Corynebacterium ulcerans Infections in Eurasian Beavers ( Castor fiber). Pathogens 2023; 12:979. [PMID: 37623939 PMCID: PMC10459376 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12080979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) has been reintroduced successfully in Germany since the 1990s. Since wildlife is an important source of zoonotic infectious diseases, monitoring of invasive and reintroduced species is crucial with respect to the One Health approach. Three Eurasian beavers were found dead in the German federal states of Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Wuerttemberg in 2015, 2021 and 2022, respectively. During post-mortem examinations, Corynebacterium (C.) ulcerans could be isolated from the abscesses of two beavers and from the lungs of one of the animals. Identification of the bacterial isolates at the species level was carried out by spectroscopic analysis using MALDI-TOF MS, FT-IR and biochemical profiles and were verified by molecular analysis based on 16-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing. Molecular characterization of the C. ulcerans isolates using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed a genome size of about 2.5 Mbp and a GC content of 53.4%. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis classified all three isolates as the sequence type ST-332. A minimum spanning tree (MST) based on cgMLST allelic profiles, including 1211 core genes of the sequenced C. ulcerans isolates, showed that the beaver-derived isolates clearly group on the branch of C. ulcerans with the closest relationship to each other, in close similarity to an isolate from a dog. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed resistance to clindamycin and, in one strain, to erythromycin according to EUCAST, while all isolates were susceptible to the other antimicrobials tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Sting
- Chemical and Veterinary Analysis Agency (CVUA) Stuttgart, 70736 Fellbach, Germany; (C.P.); (B.B.); (J.R.)
- Consiliary Laboratory for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (DVG), 70736 Fellbach, Germany
| | - Catharina Pölzelbauer
- Chemical and Veterinary Analysis Agency (CVUA) Stuttgart, 70736 Fellbach, Germany; (C.P.); (B.B.); (J.R.)
| | - Tobias Eisenberg
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), 35392 Giessen, Germany; (T.E.); (R.B.); (K.R.)
| | - Rebecca Bonke
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), 35392 Giessen, Germany; (T.E.); (R.B.); (K.R.)
| | - Birgit Blazey
- Chemical and Veterinary Analysis Agency (CVUA) Stuttgart, 70736 Fellbach, Germany; (C.P.); (B.B.); (J.R.)
| | - Martin Peters
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office Westfalen, 59821 Arnsberg, Germany;
| | - Karin Riße
- Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), 35392 Giessen, Germany; (T.E.); (R.B.); (K.R.)
| | - Andreas Sing
- Germany National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Anja Berger
- Germany National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Alexandra Dangel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany;
| | - Jörg Rau
- Chemical and Veterinary Analysis Agency (CVUA) Stuttgart, 70736 Fellbach, Germany; (C.P.); (B.B.); (J.R.)
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Museux K, Arcari G, Rodrigo G, Hennart M, Badell E, Toubiana J, Brisse S. Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae Species Complex in Companion Animals: Clinical and Microbiological Characterization of 64 Cases from France. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0000623. [PMID: 37022195 PMCID: PMC10269909 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00006-23] [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] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae species complex (CdSC) can cause diphtheria in humans and have been reported from companion animals. We aimed to describe animal infection cases caused by CdSC isolates. A total of 18,308 animals (dogs, cats, horses, and small mammals) with rhinitis, dermatitis, nonhealing wounds, and otitis were sampled in metropolitan France (August 2019 to August 2021). Data on symptoms, age, breed, and the administrative region of origin were collected. Cultured bacteria were analyzed for tox gene presence, production of the diphtheria toxin, and antimicrobial susceptibility and were genotyped by multilocus sequence typing. Corynebacterium ulcerans was identified in 51 cases, 24 of which were toxigenic. Rhinitis was the most frequent presentation (18/51). Eleven cases (6 cats, 4 dogs, and 1 rat) were monoinfections. Large-breed dogs, especially German shepherds (9 of 28 dogs; P < 0.00001), were overrepresented. C. ulcerans isolates were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. tox-positive C. diphtheriae was identified in 2 horses. Last, 11 infections cases (9 dogs and 2 cats; mostly chronic otitis and 2 sores) had tox-negative C. rouxii, a recently defined species. C. rouxii and C. diphtheriae isolates were susceptible to most antibiotics tested, and almost all of these infections were polymicrobial. Monoinfections with C. ulcerans point toward a primary pathogenic potential to animals. C. ulcerans represents an important zoonotic risk, and C. rouxii may represent a novel zoonotic agent. This case series provides novel clinical and microbiological data on CdSC infections and underlines the need for management of animals and their human contacts. IMPORTANCE We report on the occurrence and clinical and microbiological characteristics of infections caused by members of the CdSC in companion animals. This is the first study based on the systematic analysis of a very large animal cohort (18,308 samples), which provides data on the frequency of CdSC isolates in various types of clinical samples from animals. Awareness of this zoonotic bacterial group remains low among veterinarians and veterinary laboratories, among which it is often considered commensal in animals. We suggest that in the case of CdSC detection in animals, the veterinary laboratories should be encouraged to send the samples to a reference laboratory for analysis of the presence of the tox gene. This work is relevant to the development of guidelines in the case of CdSC infections in animals and underlines their public health relevance given the zoonotic transmission risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Arcari
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | | | - Melanie Hennart
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- Collège doctoral, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Julie Toubiana
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
- Department of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
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Tessier E, Hennart M, Badell E, Passet V, Toubiana J, Biron A, Gourinat AC, Merlet A, Colot J, Brisse S. Genomic Epidemiology of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in New Caledonia. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0461622. [PMID: 37042786 PMCID: PMC10269643 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04616-22] [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] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of isolations of Corynebacterium diphtheriae has been observed in recent years in the archipelago of New Caledonia. We aimed to analyze the clinical and microbiological features of samples with C. diphtheriae. All C. diphtheriae isolates identified in New Caledonia from May 2015 to May 2019 were included. For each case, a retrospective consultation of the patient files was conducted. Antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes, tox gene and diphtheria toxin expression, biovar, and the genomic sequence were determined. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), 7-gene MLST, and search of genes of interest were performed from genomic assemblies. Fifty-eight isolates were included, with a median age of patients of 28 years (range: 9 days to 78 years). Cutaneous origin accounted for 51 of 58 (87.9%) isolates, and C. diphtheriae was associated with Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes in three-quarters of cases. Half of cases came either from the main city Noumea (24%, 14/58) or from the sparsely populated island of Lifou (26%, 15/58). Six tox-positive isolates were identified, associated with recent travel to Vanuatu; 5 of these cases were linked and cgMLST confirmed recent transmission. Two cases of endocarditis in young female patients with a history of rheumatic fever involved tox-negative isolates. The 58 isolates were mostly susceptible to commonly used antibiotics. In particular, no isolate was resistant to the first-line molecules amoxicillin or erythromycin. Resistance to tetracycline was found in a genomic cluster of 17 (29%) isolates, 16 of which carried the tetO gene. There were 13 cgMLST sublineages, most of which were also observed in the neighboring country Australia. Cutaneous infections may harbor nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae isolates, which circulate largely silently in nonspecific wounds. The possible introduction of tox-positive strains from a neighboring island illustrates that diphtheria surveillance should be maintained in New Caledonia, and that immunization in neighboring islands must be improved. Genomic sequencing uncovers how genotypes circulate locally and across neighboring countries. IMPORTANCE The analysis of C. diphtheriae from the tropical archipelago of New Caledonia revealed a high genetic diversity with sublineages that may be linked to Polynesia, Australia, or metropolitan France. Genomic typing allowed confirming or excluding suspected transmission events among cases and contacts. A highly prevalent tetracycline-resistant sublineage harboring the tetO gene was uncovered. Toxigenic isolates were observed from patients returning from Vanuatu, showing the importance of improving vaccination coverage in settings where it is insufficient. This study also illustrates the importance for diphtheria surveillance of the inclusion of isolates from cutaneous sources in addition to respiratory cases, in order to provide a more complete epidemiological picture of the diversity and transmission of C. diphtheriae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve Tessier
- CHU Nantes, Service de Bactériologie et des Contrôles Microbiologiques, Nantes, France
- Microbiology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Territorial Gaston Bourret, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Melanie Hennart
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège doctoral, Paris, France
| | - Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Passet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Julie Toubiana
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Department of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Necker–Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Biron
- Microbiology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Territorial Gaston Bourret, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Ann-Claire Gourinat
- Microbiology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Territorial Gaston Bourret, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Audrey Merlet
- Infectious diseases unit, Centre Hospitalier Territorial Gaston Bourret, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Julien Colot
- Microbiology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Territorial Gaston Bourret, Nouméa, New Caledonia
- Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle Calédonie, Groupe de Bactériologie médicale et environnementale Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
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de Oliveira Sant'Anna L, Dos Santos LS, Araújo MRB, da Rocha DJPG, Ramos JN, Baio PVP, Del Peloso PF, da Costa Ferreira Leite C, Peixoto RS, Almuzara M, Vay C, Barberis C, Sangal V, Burkovski A, Aguiar ERGR, Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Pacheco LGC, Vieira VV. Corynebacterium guaraldiae sp. nov.: a new species of Corynebacterium from human infections. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:779-790. [PMID: 36869213 PMCID: PMC10235285 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-00938-y] [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] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-diphtheria Corynebacterium species (NDC) belonging to the human skin and mucosa microbiota are frequently neglected as contaminants. However, reports of human infections by Corynebacterium spp. have increased considerably in recent years. In this study, a group of six NDC isolates of urine (n = 5) and sebaceous cyst (n = 1) from two South American countries were identified at genus level or misidentified based on API® Coryne and genetic/molecular analyses. The 16S rRNA (99.09-99.56%) and rpoB (96.18-97.14%) gene sequence similarities of the isolates were higher when compared with Corynebacterium aurimucosum DSM 44532 T. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) indicated that these six NDC isolates compose a distinctive phylogenetic clade. Genome-based taxonomic analysis with the whole-genome sequences was able to separate these six isolates from other known Corynebacterium type strains. Average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI), and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between closely related type strains and the six isolates were considerably lower than the currently recommended threshold values for species circumscription. Phylogenetic and genomic taxonomy analyses indicated these microorganisms as a novel Corynebacterium species, for which we formally propose the name Corynebacterium guaraldiae sp. nov. with isolate 13T (= CBAS 827T = CCBH 35012T) as type strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincoln de Oliveira Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Louisy Sanches Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Juliana Nunes Ramos
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Marisa Almuzara
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry and Bacteriology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Vay
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry and Bacteriology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Barberis
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry and Bacteriology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vartul Sangal
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- Professur Fuer Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlagen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eric Roberto Guimarães Rocha Aguiar
- Virus Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center of Biotechnology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Ana Luíza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Verônica Viana Vieira
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Prygiel M, Polak M, Mosiej E, Wdowiak K, Formińska K, Zasada AA. New Corynebacterium Species with the Potential to Produce Diphtheria Toxin. Pathogens 2022; 11:1264. [PMID: 36365015 PMCID: PMC9693595 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Only three Corynebacterium species are known to produce a lethal exotoxin called diphtheria toxin. These are C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis. The diphtheria toxin gene (tox) is carried in a family of closely related corynebacteriophages and therefore the toxin can be produced only through lysogenisation, in which the corynephage encoding tox is stably inserted into the chromosome. However, 'nontoxigenic tox gene-bearing' (NTTB) strains, which are genotypically tox-positive but do not express the protein, have been described. The emergence of NTTB strains was first observed during the 1990s diphtheria epidemic in Eastern Europe and nowadays such isolates have been detected in many countries in the world. Recently, novel species of Corynebacterium genus have been described which might have the potential of producing the diphtheria toxin due to the possession of the diphtheria toxin gene but it has not produced toxin in laboratory tests. The circulation of NTTB strains could be related to the increased risk for diphtheria disease arising from the risk of re-emerging toxin expression. The article presents the mechanism of diphtheria toxin expression and action, recently described novel species of NTTB corynebacteria as well as the taxonomic changes within the C. diphtheriae group.
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Hoefer A, Herrera-León S, Domínguez L, Gavín MO, Romero B, Piedra XBA, Calzada CS, Uría González MJ, Herrera-León L. Zoonotic Transmission of Diphtheria from Domestic Animal Reservoir, Spain. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1257-1260. [PMID: 35608831 PMCID: PMC9155899 DOI: 10.3201/eid2806.211956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans is as an emerging zoonotic agent of diphtheria. We describe the zoonotic transmission of diphtheria caused by toxigenic C. ulcerans from domestic animals in Spain, confirmed by core-genome multilocus sequence typing. Alongside an increasing number of recent publications, our findings highlight the public health threat posed by diphtheria reemergence.
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Devanga Ragupathi NK, Muthuirulandi Sethuvel DP, Murugan D, Ranjan R, Gautam V, Gupta P, Johnson J, Sharma NC, Mutreja A, Haldar P, Kumar A, Bhatnagar P, Sangal L, Veeraraghavan B. Divergent evolution of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in India: An update from National Diphtheria Surveillance network. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261435. [PMID: 34910778 PMCID: PMC8673651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is caused by a toxigenic bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria which is being an emerging pathogen in India. Since diphtheria morbidity and mortality continues to be high in the country, the present study aimed to study the molecular epidemiology of C. diphtheriae strains from India. A total of 441 diphtheria suspected specimens collected as part of the surveillance programme between 2015 and 2020 were studied. All the isolates were confirmed as C. diphtheriae with standard biochemical tests, ELEK's test, and real-time PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for the subset of isolates showed intermediate susceptibility to penicillin and complete susceptible to erythromycin and cefotaxime. Isolates were characterized using multi locus sequence typing method. MLST analysis for the 216 C. diphtheriae isolates revealed major diversity among the sequence types. A total of 34 STs were assigned with majority of the isolates belonged to ST466 (30%). The second most common ST identified was ST405 that was present in 14% of the isolates. The international clone ST50 was also seen. The identified STs were grouped into 8 different clonal complexes (CC). The majority belongs to CC5 followed by CC466, CC574 and CC209, however a single non-toxigenic strain belongs to CC42. This epidemiological analysis revealed the emergence of novel STs and the clones with better dissemination properties. This study has also provided information on the circulating strains of C. diphtheriae among the different regions of India. The molecular data generated through surveillance system can be utilized for further actions in concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar Devanga Ragupathi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dhivya Murugan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Ranjini Ranjan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Vikas Gautam
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Prashanth Gupta
- King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | | | - Ankur Mutreja
- Department of Medicine, Addenbrookes Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Delhi-NCR, India
| | - Pradeep Haldar
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Arun Kumar
- World Health Organization, New Delhi, India
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11
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Guglielmini J, Hennart M, Badell E, Toubiana J, Criscuolo A, Brisse S. Genomic Epidemiology and Strain Taxonomy of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e0158121. [PMID: 34524891 PMCID: PMC8601238 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01581-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is highly transmissible and can cause large diphtheria outbreaks where vaccination coverage is insufficient. Sporadic cases or small clusters are observed in high-vaccination settings. The phylogeography and short timescale evolution of C. diphtheriae are not well understood, in part due to a lack of harmonized analytical approaches of genomic surveillance and strain tracking. We combined 1,305 genes with highly reproducible allele calls into a core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme. We analyzed cgMLST gene diversity among 602 isolates from sporadic clinical cases, small clusters, or large outbreaks. We defined sublineages based on the phylogenetic structure within C. diphtheriae and strains based on the highest number of cgMLST mismatches within documented outbreaks. We performed time-scaled phylogenetic analyses of major sublineages. The cgMLST scheme showed high allele call rate in C. diphtheriae and the closely related species C. belfantii and C. rouxii. We demonstrate its utility to delineate epidemiological case clusters and outbreaks using a 25 mismatches threshold and reveal a number of cryptic transmission chains, most of which are geographically restricted to one or a few adjacent countries. Subcultures of the vaccine strain PW8 differed by up to 20 cgMLST mismatches. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a short-timescale evolutionary gain or loss of the diphtheria toxin and biovar-associated genes. We devised a genomic taxonomy of strains and deeper sublineages (defined using a 500-cgMLST-mismatch threshold), currently comprising 151 sublineages, only a few of which are geographically widespread based on current sampling. The cgMLST genotyping tool and nomenclature was made publicly accessible (https://bigsdb.pasteur.fr/diphtheria). Standardized genome-scale strain genotyping will help tracing transmission and geographic spread of C. diphtheriae. The unified genomic taxonomy of C. diphtheriae strains provides a common language for studies of ecology, evolution, and virulence heterogeneity among C. diphtheriae sublineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Guglielmini
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, Paris, France
| | - Melanie Hennart
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, Paris, France
| | - Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Julie Toubiana
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Service de Pédiatrie Générale et Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Criscuolo
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Department of Computational Biology, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
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12
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Molecular Characterization of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Isolated over a 15-Year Period in Switzerland. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8080151. [PMID: 34437473 PMCID: PMC8402737 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8080151] [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: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar Ovis is the etiological agent of the contagious and chronic disease caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in sheep and goats. The economic impact of CLA in Switzerland remains largely unknown, and the transmission modalities, as well as the genetic diversity of circulating strains, are poorly understood. This work presents further characterization data for 215 C. pseudotuberculosis isolates from sheep, goats and a dromedary originating from Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, collected over a 15-year period. The isolates were classified into the two biovars Ovis and Equi, analyzed for the presence of the diphtheria-like toxin gene and characterized using MLSA. All sheep and goat isolates were classified as C. pseudotuberculosis biovar Ovis. The isolate from a dromedary was classified as biovar Equi. No isolates harboring the diphtheria-like toxin gene were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated sequences of four genes revealed the existence of 24 clusters. There was no correlation between MLSA sequence types, year of isolation and the geographical origin of the isolates. These findings confirm the presence of several MLSA sequence types in the study area and over a 15-year period. Moreover, no sheep- and goat-specific MLSA sequence types were found.
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13
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Strauss RA, Herrera-Leon L, Guillén AC, Castro JS, Lorenz E, Carvajal A, Hernandez E, Navas T, Vielma S, Lopez N, Lopez MG, Aurenty L, Navas V, Rosas MA, Drummond T, Martínez JG, Hernández E, Bertuglia F, Andrade O, Torres J, May J, Herrera-Leon S, Eibach D. Molecular and epidemiologic characterization of the diphtheria outbreak in Venezuela. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6378. [PMID: 33737710 PMCID: PMC7973433 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85957-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2016, Venezuela faced a large diphtheria outbreak that extended until 2019. Nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal samples were prospectively collected from 51 suspected cases and retrospective data from 348 clinical records was retrieved from 14 hospitals between November 2017 and November 2018. Confirmed pathogenic Corynebactrium isolates were biotyped. Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) was performed followed by next-generation-based core genome-MLST and minimum spanning trees were generated. Subjects between 10 and 19 years of age were mostly affected (n = 95; 27.3%). Case fatality rates (CFR) were higher in males (19.4%), as compared to females (15.8%). The highest CFR (31.1%) was observed among those under 5, followed by the 40 to 49 age-group (25.0%). Nine samples corresponded to C. diphtheriae and 1 to C. ulcerans. Two Sequencing Types (ST), ST174 and ST697 (the latter not previously described) were identified among the eight C. diphtheriae isolates from Carabobo state. Cg-MLST revealed only one cluster also from Carabobo. The Whole Genome Sequencing analysis revealed that the outbreak seemed to be caused by different strains with C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans coexisting. The reemergence and length of this outbreak suggest vaccination coverage problems and an inadequate control strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Julio S Castro
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Eva Lorenz
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ana Carvajal
- Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Trina Navas
- Hospital General Los Magallanes de Catia, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Maria G Lopez
- Hospital de Niños José Manuel de Los Ríos, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Lisbeth Aurenty
- Hospital de Niños José Manuel de Los Ríos, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Valeria Navas
- Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Maria A Rosas
- Ciudad Hospitalaria Dr Henrique Tejera, Carabobo, Venezuela
| | | | | | | | | | - Omaira Andrade
- Centro Clinico-Materno Leopoldo Aguerrevere, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jaime Torres
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jürgen May
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Eibach
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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14
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Molecular and Epidemiological Characterization of Toxigenic and Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium belfantii, Corynebacterium rouxii, and Corynebacterium ulcerans Isolates Identified in Spain from 2014 to 2019. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:JCM.02410-20. [PMID: 33298610 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02410-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines the microbiological and epidemiological characteristics of toxigenic and nontoxigenic Corynebacterium isolates submitted to the national reference laboratory in Spain, between 2014 and 2019, in order to describe the current situation and improve our knowledge regarding these emerging pathogens. Epidemiological information was extracted from the Spanish Surveillance System. Microbiological and molecular characterization was carried out using phenotypic methods, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and core genome MLST (cgMLST). Thirty-nine isolates were analyzed. Twenty-one isolates were identified as Corynebacterium diphtheriae (6 toxigenic), 14 as C. belfantii, 4 as C. ulcerans (3 toxigenic), and 1 as C. rouxii One C. diphtheriae isolate was identified as nontoxigenic tox gene bearing (NTTB). Ages of patients ranged from 1 to 89 years, with 10% (3/30) of nontoxigenic and 22% (2/9) of toxigenic isolates collected from children less than 15 years. Twenty-five of the patients were males (17/30 in nontoxigenic; 8/9 in toxigenic). MLST identified 28 sequence types (STs), of which 7 were described for the first time in Spain. WGS analysis showed that 10 isolates, including 3 toxigenic isolates, harbored a variety of antibiotic resistance genes in addition to the high prevalence of penicillin resistance phenotypically demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one cluster of isolates from family members. Risk information was available for toxigenic isolates (9/39); 3 patients reported recent travels to countries of endemicity and 3 had contact with cats/dogs. One unvaccinated child with respiratory diphtheria had a fatal outcome. Including nontoxigenic Corynebacterium infections in disease surveillance and using WGS could further improve current surveillance.
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15
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Assessing the Genetic Diversity of Austrian Corynebacterium diphtheriae Clinical Isolates, 2011 to 2019. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:JCM.02529-20. [PMID: 33268541 PMCID: PMC8106727 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02529-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease with a high potential for reemergence. One of its causative agents is Corynebacterium diphtheriae, with some strains producing diphtheria toxin. From 2011 to 2019, 57 clinical C. diphtheriae strains were isolated in Austria, either from the respiratory tract or from skin infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of these C. diphtheriae isolates using whole-genome sequencing. Isolates were characterized by genome-wide comparisons using single nucleotide polymorphism analysis or core genome multilocus sequence typing and by searching sequence data for antimicrobial resistance genes and genes involved in diphtheria toxin production. The genetic diversity among the isolates was high, with no clear distribution over time or place. Corynebacterium belfantii isolates were separated from other strains and were strongly associated with respiratory infections (odds ratio [OR] = 57). Two clusters, limited in time and space, were identified. Almost 40% of strains carried resistance genes against tetracycline or sulfonamides, mostly from skin infections. Microbiological tests showed that 55% of isolates were resistant to penicillin but did not carry genes conferring β-lactam resistance. A diphtheria toxin gene with no nonsynonymous mutation was found in three isolates only. This study showed that sequencing can provide valuable information complementing routine microbiological and epidemiological investigations. It allowed us to identify unknown clusters, evaluate antimicrobial resistance more broadly, and support toxigenicity results obtained by PCR. For these reasons, C. diphtheriae surveillance could strongly benefit from the routine implementation of whole-genome sequencing.
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16
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Saito N, Dimapilis VO, Fujii H, Suzuki M, Telan EFO, Umipig DV, Solante RM, Dimapilis AQ, De Guzman F, Salva EP, Nakayama F, Toda K, Smith C, Ariyoshi K, Parry CM. Diphtheria in Metro Manila, the Philippines 2006-2017: A Clinical, Molecular, and Spatial Characterization. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:61-68. [PMID: 32160282 PMCID: PMC7823073 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease that persists as a global health problem. An understanding of the pattern of disease is lacking in low- and middle-income countries such as the Philippines. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of the clinical, microbiological, and epidemiological features of patients admitted with a clinical diagnosis of diphtheria to an infectious disease referral hospital in Metro Manila, the Philippines, between 2006 and 2017. Cases were mapped and the distribution was compared with population density. Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates from between 2015 and 2017 were examined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). RESULTS We studied 267 patients (range:12-54 cases/year) admitted between 2006 and 2017. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 43.8% (95% confidence interval, 37.8-50.0%). A higher number of cases and CFR was observed among children <10 years. Mortality was associated with a delayed admission to hospital and a lack of diphtheria antitoxin. Between 2015 and 2017 there were 42 laboratory-confirmed cases. We identified 6 multilocus sequence types (STs). ST-302 was the most common (17/34, 48.6%), followed by ST67 (7/34, 20%) and ST458 (5/34, 14%). Case mapping showed a wide distribution of diphtheria patients in Metro Manila. Higher case numbers were found in densely populated areas but with no apparent clustering of ST types. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis indicates that diphtheria remains endemic in Metro Manila and that the infection is frequently fatal in young children. Improved vaccine coverage and a sustainable supply of diphtheria antitoxin should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuo Saito
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | | | - Hiroshi Fujii
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Motoi Suzuki
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kohei Toda
- Philippines Country Office, World Health Organization, Manila, The Philippines
| | - Chris Smith
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Koya Ariyoshi
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Christopher M Parry
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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17
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Hennart M, Panunzi LG, Rodrigues C, Gaday Q, Baines SL, Barros-Pinkelnig M, Carmi-Leroy A, Dazas M, Wehenkel AM, Didelot X, Toubiana J, Badell E, Brisse S. Population genomics and antimicrobial resistance in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Genome Med 2020; 12:107. [PMID: 33246485 PMCID: PMC7694903 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00805-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the agent of diphtheria, is a genetically diverse bacterial species. Although antimicrobial resistance has emerged against several drugs including first-line penicillin, the genomic determinants and population dynamics of resistance are largely unknown for this neglected human pathogen. Methods Here, we analyzed the associations of antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes, diphtheria toxin production, and genomic features in C. diphtheriae. We used 247 strains collected over several decades in multiple world regions, including the 163 clinical isolates collected prospectively from 2008 to 2017 in France mainland and overseas territories. Results Phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple deep-branching sublineages, grouped into a Mitis lineage strongly associated with diphtheria toxin production and a largely toxin gene-negative Gravis lineage with few toxin-producing isolates including the 1990s ex-Soviet Union outbreak strain. The distribution of susceptibility phenotypes allowed proposing ecological cutoffs for most of the 19 agents tested, thereby defining acquired antimicrobial resistance. Penicillin resistance was found in 17.2% of prospective isolates. Seventeen (10.4%) prospective isolates were multidrug-resistant (≥ 3 antimicrobial categories), including four isolates resistant to penicillin and macrolides. Homologous recombination was frequent (r/m = 5), and horizontal gene transfer contributed to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in multiple sublineages. Genome-wide association mapping uncovered genetic factors of resistance, including an accessory penicillin-binding protein (PBP2m) located in diverse genomic contexts. Gene pbp2m is widespread in other Corynebacterium species, and its expression in C. glutamicum demonstrated its effect against several beta-lactams. A novel 73-kb C. diphtheriae multiresistance plasmid was discovered. Conclusions This work uncovers the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in C. diphtheriae in the context of phylogenetic structure, biovar, and diphtheria toxin production and provides a blueprint to analyze re-emerging diphtheria. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s13073-020-00805-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Hennart
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Collège doctoral, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo G Panunzi
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Français de Bioinformatique, CNRS UMS 3601, Evry, France
| | - Carla Rodrigues
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Quentin Gaday
- Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Sarah L Baines
- Doherty Applied Microbial Genomics, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Annick Carmi-Leroy
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Melody Dazas
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Anne Marie Wehenkel
- Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Didelot
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Julie Toubiana
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France.,Department of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France. .,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France.
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18
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Abstract
The introduction of treatment and systematic vaccination has significantly reduced diphtheria mortality; however, toxigenic strains continue to circulate worldwide. The emergence of an indigenous diphtheria case with fatal outcome in Greece, after 30 years, raised challenges for laboratory confirmation, clinical and public health management. Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae was isolated from an incompletely vaccinated 8-year-old boy with underlying conditions. The child passed away due to respiratory distress syndrome, before the administration of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT). All close contacts in family, school and hospital settings were investigated. Pharyngeal swabs were obtained to determine asymptomatic carriage. Chemoprophylaxis was given for 7 days to all close contacts and a booster dose to those incompletely vaccinated. Testing revealed a classmate, belonging to a subpopulation group (Roma), and incompletely vaccinated, as an asymptomatic carrier with an indistinguishable toxigenic strain (same novel multilocus sequence type, designated ST698). This case highlights the role of asymptomatic carriage, as the entry of toxigenic strains into susceptible populations can put individuals and their environment at risk. Maintenance of high-level epidemiological and microbiological surveillance, implementation of systematic vaccination in children and adults with primary and booster doses, availability of a DAT stockpile, and allowing timely administration are the cornerstone to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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19
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Dangel A, Berger A, Rau J, Eisenberg T, Kämpfer P, Margos G, Contzen M, Busse HJ, Konrad R, Peters M, Sting R, Sing A. Corynebacterium silvaticum sp. nov., a unique group of NTTB corynebacteria in wild boar and roe deer. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 70:3614-3624. [PMID: 32368999 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 34 Corynebacterium sp. strains were isolated from caseous lymph node abscesses of wild boar and roe deer in different regions of Germany. They showed slow growth on Columbia sheep blood agar and sparse growth on Hoyle's tellurite agar. Cellular fatty acid analysis allocated them in the C. diphtheriae group of genus Corynebacterium. MALDI-TOF MS using specific database extensions and rpoB sequencing resulted in classification as C. ulcerans. Their quinone system is similar to C. ulcerans, with major menaquinone MK-8(H2). Their complex polar lipid profile includes major lipids phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, diphosphatidylglycerol, but also unidentified glycolipids, distinguishing them clearly from C. ulcerans. They ferment glucose, ribose and maltose (like C. ulcerans), but do not utilise d-xylose, mannitol, lactose, sucrose and glycogen (like C. pseudotuberculosis). They showed activity of catalase, urease and phospholipase D, but variable results for alkaline phosphatase and alpha-glucosidase. All were non-toxigenic, tox gene bearing and susceptible to clindamycin, penicillin and erythromycin. In 16SrRNA gene and RpoB protein phylogenies the strains formed distinct brancheswith C. ulcerans as nearest relative.Whole genome sequencing revealed the unique sequence type 578, a distinctbranch in pangenomic core genome MLST, average nucleotide identities <91%, enhancedgenome sizes (2.55 Mbp) and G/C content (54.4 mol%) compared to related species.These results suggest that the strains represent a novel species, for which wepropose the name Corynebactriumsilvaticum sp. nov., based on their first isolation from forest-dwellinggame animals. The type strain isKL0182T (= CVUAS 4292T = DSM 109166T = LMG 31313T= CIP 111 672T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Dangel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Anja Berger
- Germany National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Jörg Rau
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Stuttgart (CVUAS), Fellbach, Germany
| | | | - Peter Kämpfer
- Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Margos
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Matthias Contzen
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Stuttgart (CVUAS), Fellbach, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Busse
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Regina Konrad
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Martin Peters
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Westfalen, Arnsberg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Sting
- German Consiliary Laboratory for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Fellbach, Germany
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Stuttgart (CVUAS), Fellbach, Germany
| | - Andreas Sing
- Germany National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
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20
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Borisova O, Chaplin A, Gadua N, Pimenova A, Alexeeva I, Rakitsky G, Afanas'ev S, Donskikh E, Kafarskaya L. Characterization of the genotype and the phenotype of nontoxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae subsp. lausannense isolated in Russian residents. BULLETIN OF RUSSIAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2020.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In 2018, a few sequencing studies were published revealing the existence of two monophyletic clusters within the C. diphtheriae species, meaning that this species can be divided into two subspecies: C. diphtheriae subsp. diphtheriae and C. diphtheriae subsp. lausannense. The objective of our study was to describe the genotype and the phenotype of 2 nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae strains isolated in Russia in 2017–2018, which were classified by us as C. diphtheriae subsp. lausannense based on the aggregated data yielded by a variety of techniques, including microbiological and molecular genetic techniques, as well as a bioinformatic search for subspecies-specific genes in the publicly available genomes of C. diphtheriae. The isolated strains had morphological and biochemical characteristics of C. diphtheriae. The strains were assigned to the MLST type ST199 included in the clonal complex associated with subsp. lausannense. PCR revealed that both analyzed strains of C. diphtheriae subsp. lausannense carried the ptsI gene encoding phosphoenolpyruvate-protein phosphotransferase and did not carry the narG gene encoding the synthesis of nitrate reductase subunits, whereas the strains of C. diphtheriae subsp. diphtheriae had the narG gene and did not have ptsI. We experimentally proved the ability of lausannense strains to ferment N-acetylglucosamine. Our findings expand the knowledge of the biological diversity of C. diphtheriae and indicate the need for estimating the spread of these microorganisms in Russia, as well as their pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- O.Yu. Borisova
- G. N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A.V. Chaplin
- G. N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - N.T. Gadua
- G. N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - A.S. Pimenova
- G. N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - I.N. Alexeeva
- Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Khabarovsk, Russia
| | - G.F. Rakitsky
- Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Khabarovsk, Russia
| | - S.S. Afanas'ev
- G. N. Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - E.E. Donskikh
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - L.I. Kafarskaya
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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21
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Corynebacterium rouxii sp. nov., a novel member of the diphtheriae species complex. Res Microbiol 2020; 171:122-127. [PMID: 32119905 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A group of six clinical isolates previously identified as Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar Belfanti, isolated from human cutaneous or peritoneum infections and from one dog, were characterized by genomic sequencing, biochemical analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The six isolates were negative for the diphtheria toxin gene. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the six isolates (including FRC0190T) are clearly demarcated from C. diphtheriae, Corynebacterium belfantii, Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The average nucleotide identity of FRC0190T with C. diphtheriae NCTC11397T was 92.6%, and was 91.8% with C. belfantii FRC0043T. C. diphtheriae subsp. lausannense strain CHUV2995T appeared to be a later heterotypic synonym of C. belfantii (ANI, 99.3%). Phenotyping data revealed an atypical negative or heterogeneous intermediate maltose fermentation reaction for the six isolates. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry differentiated the new group from the other Corynebacterium taxa by the presence of specific spectral peaks. rpoB sequences showed identity to atypical, maltose-negative C. diphtheriae biovar Belfanti isolates previously described from two cats in the USA. We propose the name Corynebacterium rouxii sp. nov. for the novel group, with FRC0190T (= CIP 111752T = DSM 110354T) as type strain.
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22
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Kitamura N, Le TTT, Le LT, Nguyen LD, Dao AT, Hoang TT, Yoshihara K, Iijima M, The TM, Do HM, Le HX, Do HT, Dang AD, Vien MQ, Yoshida LM. Diphtheria Outbreaks in Schools in Central Highland Districts, Vietnam, 2015-2018. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26:596-600. [PMID: 32091368 PMCID: PMC7045818 DOI: 10.3201/eid2603.191027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2015–2018, seven schools in rural Vietnam experienced diphtheria outbreaks. Multilocus sequence types were the same within schools but differed between schools. Low vaccine coverage and crowded dormitories might have contributed to the outbreaks. Authorities should consider administering routine vaccinations and booster doses for students entering the school system.
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23
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Sunarno S, Rukminiati Y, Saraswati RD. ST534: the new sequence type of Corynebacterium diphtheriae causing diphtheria in Jakarta and surrounding areas, Indonesia. Turk J Med Sci 2020; 50:267-270. [PMID: 31769641 PMCID: PMC7080344 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1909-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aim The aim of this study was to find out characteristics and patterns of the spread of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated from Jakarta and the surrounding areas, using the whole genome sequencing (WGS) technique and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach. Materials and methods The study samples consisted of 86 C. diphtheriae isolates, which were isolated from diphtheria patients and close contacts of patients. The DNA sequencing was carried out using the WGS technique. Data conversion applied the U-gene software. Molecular typing was conducted through the MLST approach, then followed by online data analysis. Results The results showed that as many as 43 (50%) of all samples examined were new types with the same allele profile, namely 9-1-13-4-3-3-4. New sequence type C. diphtheriae is registered in the MLST global database as ST534 based on the allele profile. The tox gene analysis in 43 isolates with ST534 indicated that there were three mutation positions, all of which were silent mutations. Conclusion The main cause of diphtheria in Jakarta and the surrounding areas is a new sequence type of C. diphtheriae registered as ST534.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunarno Sunarno
- Center for Research and Development of Biomedical and Basic Health Technology, National Institute of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Yuni Rukminiati
- Center for Research and Development of Biomedical and Basic Health Technology, National Institute of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ratih Dian Saraswati
- Center for Research and Development of Biomedical and Basic Health Technology, National Institute of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Jakarta, Indonesia
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24
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Sharma NC, Efstratiou A, Mokrousov I, Mutreja A, Das B, Ramamurthy T. Diphtheria. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019; 5:81. [PMID: 31804499 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-019-0131-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Diphtheria is a potentially fatal infection mostly caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains and occasionally by toxigenic C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis strains. Diphtheria is generally an acute respiratory infection, characterized by the formation of a pseudomembrane in the throat, but cutaneous infections are possible. Systemic effects, such as myocarditis and neuropathy, which are associated with increased fatality risk, are due to diphtheria toxin, an exotoxin produced by the pathogen that inhibits protein synthesis and causes cell death. Clinical diagnosis is confirmed by the isolation and identification of the causative Corynebacterium spp., usually by bacterial culture followed by enzymatic and toxin detection tests. Diphtheria can be treated with the timely administration of diphtheria antitoxin and antimicrobial therapy. Although effective vaccines are available, this disease has the potential to re-emerge in countries where the recommended vaccination programmes are not sustained, and increasing proportions of adults are becoming susceptible to diphtheria. Thousands of diphtheria cases are still reported annually from several countries in Asia and Africa, along with many outbreaks. Changes in the epidemiology of diphtheria have been reported worldwide. The prevalence of toxigenic Corynebacterium spp. highlights the need for proper clinical and epidemiological investigations to quickly identify and treat affected individuals, along with public health measures to prevent and contain the spread of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Chand Sharma
- Laboratory Department, Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Androulla Efstratiou
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria and Streptococcal Infections, Reference Microbiology Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Igor Mokrousov
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics, St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ankur Mutreja
- Global Health-Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bhabatosh Das
- Infection and Immunology Division, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India
| | - Thandavarayan Ramamurthy
- Infection and Immunology Division, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India.
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25
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Martini H, Soetens O, Litt D, Fry NK, Detemmerman L, Wybo I, Desombere I, Efstratiou A, Piérard D. Diphtheria in Belgium: 2010-2017. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:1517-1525. [PMID: 31418673 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In Western Europe, the incidence of both respiratory and cutaneous diphtheria, caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium ulcerans or Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, has been low over the past few decades thanks to the use of an effective vaccine and a high level of vaccination coverage. However, the disease has still not been eradicated and continues to occur in all of Europe. In order to prevent sequelae or a fatal outcome, diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) should be administered to suspected diphtheria patients as soon as possible, but economic factors and issues concerning regulations have led to poor availability of DAT in many countries. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and World Health Organization have called for European Union-wide solutions to this DAT-shortage. In order to illustrate the importance of these efforts and underline the need for continued diphtheria surveillance, we present data on all registered cases of toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis in Belgium during the past decade, up to and including 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Martini
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for toxigenic corynebacteria, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Oriane Soetens
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for toxigenic corynebacteria, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Litt
- Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England - National Infection Service, London, UK
| | - Norman K Fry
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England - National Infection Service, London, UK.,Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England - National Infection Service, London, UK
| | - Liselot Detemmerman
- Present address: LaCAR MDx Technologies, Liège, Belgium.,Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for toxigenic corynebacteria, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Wybo
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for toxigenic corynebacteria, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Desombere
- Present address: LaCAR MDx Technologies, Liège, Belgium.,SD Infectious Diseases in Humans, Service Immune Response, National Reference Centre for toxigenic corynebacteria, Sciensano (Public Health Belgium), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Androulla Efstratiou
- WHO Global Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Diphtheria and Streptococcal Infections, Public Health England - National Infection Service, London, UK
| | - Denis Piérard
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for toxigenic corynebacteria, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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26
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Edwards D, Kent D, Lester C, Brown CS, Murphy ME, Brown NM, Sule O, Itani A, Chand M, Trindall A, Pearson C, Roddick I, Fry NK, Hoffmann J, Iyanger N, Kemp L, White J, Javid B, Ramsay ID, Zenner D, Ahmed A, Amirthalingam G, Salimee S, Litt D, Reacher M. Transmission of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae by a fully immunised resident returning from a visit to West Africa, United Kingdom, 2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 30280689 PMCID: PMC6169202 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.39.1700681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In early 2017, a United Kingdom (UK)-born person in their 20s presented with a skin ulcer on the foot 3 weeks after returning from Ghana. The patient had last received a diphtheria-containing vaccine in 2013, completing the recommended course. MALDI-TOF of a cutaneous swab identified Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Real-time PCR ascertained the species and presence of the diphtheria toxin gene. An Elek test confirmed toxigenicity. The isolate was macrolide sensitive and penicillin resistant. The local Public Health England (PHE) Health Protection Team obtained the patient's clinical history and traced contacts to inform appropriate public health action. One close contact (in their early 80s with uncertain immunisation status who had not recently travelled) had a positive throat swab for toxigenic C. diphtheriae and reported a history of mild coryzal symptoms. Multilocus sequence typing revealed that strains from the index case and contact had Sequence Type 463. Diphtheria is extremely rare in the UK due to high vaccine coverage and this is the first documented transmission in 30 years. Clinicians and laboratory staff should remain highly suspicious of lesions in overseas travellers, even when patients are fully vaccinated. Older individuals who might not have completed a full immunisation course may have higher diphtheria susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Edwards
- East of England Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | - Dianne Kent
- East of England Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Lester
- East of England Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael E Murphy
- Department of Microbiology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas M Brown
- PHE Public Health Laboratory Cambridge, Public Health England, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Olajumoke Sule
- PHE Public Health Laboratory Cambridge, Public Health England, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Meera Chand
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Trindall
- Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Callum Pearson
- Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Iain Roddick
- Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Norman K Fry
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jorg Hoffmann
- East of England Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | - Nalini Iyanger
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joanne White
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Babak Javid
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge Hospitals Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel D Ramsay
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge Hospitals Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dominik Zenner
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aliko Ahmed
- East of England Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | - Gayatri Amirthalingam
- Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sultan Salimee
- East of England Health Protection Team, Public Health England, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | - David Litt
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Reacher
- Field Epidemiology Service, Public Health England, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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27
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Badell E, Guillot S, Tulliez M, Pascal M, Panunzi LG, Rose S, Litt D, Fry NK, Brisse S. Improved quadruplex real-time PCR assay for the diagnosis of diphtheria. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:1455-1465. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Guillot
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Marie Tulliez
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Marine Pascal
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | | | - Samuel Rose
- Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - David Litt
- Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Norman K. Fry
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
- Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
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28
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Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of outbreak-associated Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Thailand, 2012. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 75:104007. [PMID: 31472364 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae remain endemic in many countries. Since the implementation of the DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) vaccination program in 1977, only sporadic diphtheria cases have been reported in Thailand. In 2012, a diphtheria outbreak occurred in rural Thailand and 38 cases were reported, with the majority being adults (mean 22.1 years, range 5-72 years). The current study determined the genetic diversity of C. diphtheriae isolated from 83 individuals associated with either sporadic (n = 34) from 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2012, and 2018, or 2012 outbreak (n = 49) diphtheria occurrences in Thailand. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on 41/83 isolates using broth microdilution. All sporadic (n = 27) and epidemic (n = 14) C. diphtheriae isolates (41/41; 100%) were susceptible to erythromycin (≤0.5 μg/ml), clindamycin (≤0.5 μg/ml), gentamicin (≤ 4 μg/ml), ciprofloxacin (≤1 μg/ml), and vancomycin (2 μg/ml), except tetracycline with a resistance rate of 34.1% (14/41 isolates). All isolates were intermediately resistant to penicillin (MIC range, 0.25-2 μg/ml). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed 17 sequence types (STs) among 83C. diphtheriae isolates. For the 2012 outbreak isolates, the predominant ST was ST243 (n = 34/49; 69.4%), followed by ST245 (n = 5/49; 10.2%) and ST244 (n = 4/49; 8.1%), whereas the main STs among the sporadic isolates were ST248 (n = 15/34; 44.1%), followed by ST209 (n = 7/34; 20.6%) and ST258 (n = 3/34; 8.8%). The ST243 outbreak strain was a single-locus variant of sporadic ST258. Phylogenetic analysis using concatenated sequences of 7 MLST genes from 17 STs revealed that ST243, ST248, and ST258 were located in the same cluster and ST243 appeared to have evolved from ST258, an endemic strain. This study highlights the importance of epidemiological surveillance together with characterization of C. diphtheriae strains to help inform the future control and prevention of diphtheria.
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29
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Seth-Smith HMB, Egli A. Whole Genome Sequencing for Surveillance of Diphtheria in Low Incidence Settings. Front Public Health 2019; 7:235. [PMID: 31497588 PMCID: PMC6713046 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) is a relatively rare pathogen in most Western countries. While toxin producing strains can cause pharyngeal diphtheria with potentially fatal outcomes, the more common presentation is wound infections. The diphtheria toxin is encoded on a prophage and can also be carried by Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Currently, across Europe, infections are mainly diagnosed in travelers and refugees from regions where diphtheria is more endemic, patients from urban areas with poor hygiene, and intravenous drug users. About half of the cases are non-toxin producing isolates. Rapid identification of the bacterial pathogen and toxin production is a critical element of patient and outbreak management. Beside the immediate clinical management of the patient, public health agencies should be informed of toxigenic C. diphtheriae diagnoses as soon as possible. The collection of case-related epidemiological data from the patient is often challenging due to language barriers and social circumstances. However, information on patient contacts, vaccine status and travel/refugee route, where appropriate, is critical, and should be documented. In addition, isolates should be characterized using high resolution typing, in order to identify transmissions and outbreaks. In recent years, whole genome sequencing (WGS) has become the gold standard of high-resolution typing methods, allowing detailed investigations of pathogen transmissions. De-centralized sequencing strategies with redundancy in sequencing capacities, followed by data exchange may be a valuable future option, especially since WGS becomes more available and portable. In this context, the sharing of sequence data, using public available platforms, is essential. A close interaction between microbiology laboratories, treating physicians, refugee centers, social workers, and public health officials is a key element in successful management of suspected outbreaks. Analyzing bacterial isolates at reference centers may further help to provide more specialized microbiological techniques and to standardize information, but this is also more time consuming during an outbreak. Centralized communication strategies between public health agencies and laboratories helps considerably in establishing and coordinating effective surveillance and infection control. We review the current literature on high-resolution typing of C. diphtheriae and share our own experience with the coordination of a Swiss-German outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena M B Seth-Smith
- Division of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Egli
- Division of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Carriage of a Single Strain of Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae bv. Belfanti ( Corynebacterium belfantii) in Four Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:JCM.00042-19. [PMID: 30814269 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00042-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are commonly colonized by bacterial pathogens, which can induce persistent lung inflammation and may contribute to clinical deterioration. Colonization of CF patients and cross-transmission by Corynebacterium diphtheriae have not been reported so far. The aim of this article was to investigate the possibility of a cross-transmission of C. diphtheriae biovar Belfanti between four patients of a CF center. C. diphtheriae biovar Belfanti (now formally called C. belfantii) isolates were collected from four patients in a single CF care center over a period of 6 years and analyzed by microbiological methods and whole-genome sequencing. Epidemiological links among patients were investigated. Ten isolates were collected from 4 patients. Whole-genome sequencing of one isolate from each patient showed that a single strain was shared among them. In addition, one patient was found to have the same strain in two consecutive samplings performed 9 months apart. The strain was nontoxigenic and was susceptible to most antimicrobial agents. Ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in one patient. The idea of transmission of the strain among patients was supported by the occurrence of same-day visits to the CF center. This study demonstrated colonization of CF patients by C. diphtheriae biovar Belfanti (C. belfantii), and the data suggest persistence and transmission of a unique strain during at least 6 years in a single CF patient care center.
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31
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Dangel A, Berger A, Konrad R, Bischoff H, Sing A. Geographically Diverse Clusters of Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection, Germany, 2016-2017. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1239-1245. [PMID: 29912709 PMCID: PMC6038752 DOI: 10.3201/eid2407.172026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
From 2016 through the middle of 2017, the German Consiliary Laboratory on Diphtheria noted an increase in nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates submitted from cities in northern Germany. Many patients for whom epidemiologic data were available were homeless, alcohol or drug abusers, or both. After performing routine diagnostics and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), we analyzed isolates of sequence type (ST) 8 and previously submitted isolates by whole-genome sequencing. Results were analyzed for phylogenetic relationship by core genome MLST (cg-MLST) and whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism profiles. Next-generation sequencing–based cg-MLST revealed several outbreak clusters caused by ST8; the geographic focus was in the metropolitan areas of Hamburg and Berlin. To achieve enhanced analytical depth, we used additional cg-MLST target genes and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We identified patient characteristics and detected transmission events, providing evidence that nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae infection is a potential public health threat in industrialized countries.
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Berger A, Dangel A, Schober T, Schmidbauer B, Konrad R, Marosevic D, Schubert S, Hörmansdorfer S, Ackermann N, Hübner J, Sing A. Whole genome sequencing suggests transmission of Corynebacterium diphtheriae-caused cutaneous diphtheria in two siblings, Germany, 2018. Euro Surveill 2019; 24:1800683. [PMID: 30646974 PMCID: PMC6337054 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.2.1800683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In September 2018, a child who had returned from Somalia to Germany presented with cutaneous diphtheria by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar mitis. The child's sibling had superinfected insect bites harbouring also toxigenic C. diphtheriae. Next generation sequencing (NGS) revealed the same strain in both patients suggesting very recent human-to-human transmission. Epidemiological and NGS data suggest that the two cutaneous diphtheria cases constitute the first outbreak by toxigenic C. diphtheriae in Germany since the 1980s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Berger
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Alexandra Dangel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Tilmann Schober
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Regina Konrad
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | | | - Sören Schubert
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Johannes Hübner
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Andreas Sing
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
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Mohd Khalid MKN, Ahmad N, Hii SYF, Abd Wahab MA, Hashim R, Liow YL. Molecular characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates in Malaysia between 1981 and 2016. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:105-110. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Khairul Nizam Mohd Khalid
- 1Molecular Diagnostics and Protein Unit, Specialised Diagnostics Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Norazah Ahmad
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shirley Yi Fen Hii
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Adib Abd Wahab
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rohaidah Hashim
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yii Ling Liow
- 2Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Dazas M, Badell E, Carmi-Leroy A, Criscuolo A, Brisse S. Taxonomic status of Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar Belfanti and proposal of Corynebacterium belfantii sp. nov. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2018; 68:3826-3831. [PMID: 30355399 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical isolates belonging to Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar Belfanti were characterized by genomic sequencing and biochemical and chemotaxonomic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that biovar Belfanti represents a branch that is clearly demarcated from C. diphtheriae strains of biovars Mitis and Gravis. The average nucleotide identity of isolates of biovar Belfanti with C. diphtheriae type strain NCTC 11397T (biovar Gravis) was 94.85 %. The inability to reduce nitrate differentiated biovar Belfanti from other strains of C. diphtheriae. On the basis of these results, we propose the name Corynebacterium belfantii sp. nov. for the group of strains previously considered as C. diphtheriaebiovar Belfanti. The type strain of C. belfantii is FRC0043T (=CIP 111412T=DSM 105776T). Strains of C. belfantii were isolated mostly from human respiratory samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Dazas
- 1Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens & National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Edgar Badell
- 1Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens & National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Annick Carmi-Leroy
- 1Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens & National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Criscuolo
- 2Institut Pasteur, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, C3BI, USR 3756 IP CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- 1Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens & National Reference Center for the Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
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Tagini F, Pillonel T, Croxatto A, Bertelli C, Koutsokera A, Lovis A, Greub G. Distinct Genomic Features Characterize Two Clades of Corynebacterium diphtheriae: Proposal of Corynebacterium diphtheriae Subsp. diphtheriae Subsp. nov. and Corynebacterium diphtheriae Subsp. lausannense Subsp. nov. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1743. [PMID: 30174653 PMCID: PMC6108181 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the etiological agent of diphtheria, a disease caused by the presence of the diphtheria toxin. However, an increasing number of records report non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae infections. Here, a C. diphtheriae strain was recovered from a patient with a past history of bronchiectasis who developed a severe tracheo-bronchitis with multiple whitish lesions of the distal trachea and the mainstem bronchi. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS), performed in parallel with PCR targeting the toxin gene and the Elek test, provided clinically relevant results in a short turnaround time, showing that the isolate was non-toxigenic. A comparative genomic analysis of the new strain (CHUV2995) with 56 other publicly available genomes of C. diphtheriae revealed that the strains CHUV2995, CCUG 5865 and CMCNS703 share a lower average nucleotide identity (ANI) (95.24 to 95.39%) with the C. diphtheriae NCTC 11397T reference genome than all other C. diphtheriae genomes (>98.15%). Core genome phylogeny confirmed the presence of two monophyletic clades. Based on these findings, we propose here two new C. diphtheriae subspecies to replace the lineage denomination used in previous multilocus sequence typing studies: C. diphtheriae subsp. lausannense subsp. nov. (instead of lineage-2), regrouping strains CHUV2995, CCUG 5865, and CMCNS703, and C. diphtheriae subsp. diphtheriae subsp. nov, regrouping all other C. diphtheriae in the dataset (instead of lineage-1). Interestingly, members of subspecies lausannense displayed a larger genome size than subspecies diphtheriae and were enriched in COG categories related to transport and metabolism of lipids (I) and inorganic ion (P). Conversely, they lacked all genes involved in the synthesis of pili (SpaA-type, SpaD-type and SpaH-type), molybdenum cofactor and of the nitrate reductase. Finally, the CHUV2995 genome is particularly enriched in mobility genes and harbors several prophages. The genome encodes a type II-C CRISPR-Cas locus with 2 spacers that lacks csn2 or cas4, which could hamper the acquisition of new spacers and render strain CHUV2995 more susceptible to bacteriophage infections and gene acquisition through various mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Tagini
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Trestan Pillonel
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antony Croxatto
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claire Bertelli
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Angela Koutsokera
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alban Lovis
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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du Plessis M, Wolter N, Allam M, de Gouveia L, Moosa F, Ntshoe G, Blumberg L, Cohen C, Smith M, Mutevedzi P, Thomas J, Horne V, Moodley P, Archary M, Mahabeer Y, Mahomed S, Kuhn W, Mlisana K, McCarthy K, von Gottberg A. Molecular Characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae Outbreak Isolates, South Africa, March-June 2015. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 23:1308-1315. [PMID: 28726616 PMCID: PMC5547784 DOI: 10.3201/eid2308.162039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2015, a cluster of respiratory diphtheria cases was reported from KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. By using whole-genome analysis, we characterized 21 Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates collected from 20 patients and contacts during the outbreak (1 patient was infected with 2 variants of C. diphtheriae). In addition, we included 1 cutaneous isolate, 2 endocarditis isolates, and 2 archived clinical isolates (ca. 1980) for comparison. Two novel lineages were identified, namely, toxigenic sequence type (ST) ST-378 (n = 17) and nontoxigenic ST-395 (n = 3). One archived isolate and the cutaneous isolate were ST-395, suggesting ongoing circulation of this lineage for >30 years. The absence of preexisting molecular sequence data limits drawing conclusions pertaining to the origin of these strains; however, these findings provide baseline genotypic data for future cases and outbreaks. Neither ST has been reported in any other country; this ST appears to be endemic only in South Africa.
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Jané M, Vidal MJ, Camps N, Campins M, Martínez A, Balcells J, Martin-Gomez MT, Bassets G, Herrera-León S, Foguet A, Maresma M, Follia N, Uriona S, Pumarola T. A case of respiratory toxigenic diphtheria: contact tracing results and considerations following a 30-year disease-free interval, Catalonia, Spain, 2015. Euro Surveill 2018; 23:17-00183. [PMID: 29616610 PMCID: PMC5883453 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.13.17-00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In May 2015, following a 30-year diphtheria-free interval in Catalonia, an unvaccinated 6-year-old child was diagnosed with diphtheria caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. After a difficult search for equine-derived diphtheria antitoxin (DAT), the child received the DAT 4 days later but died at the end of June. Two hundred and seventeen contacts were identified in relation to the index case, and their vaccination statuses were analysed, updated and completed. Of these, 140 contacts underwent physical examination and throat swabs were taken from them for analysis. Results were positive for toxigenic C. diphtheriae in 10 contacts; nine were asymptomatic vaccinated children who had been in contact with the index case and one was a parent of one of the nine children. Active surveillance of the 217 contacts was initiated by healthcare workers from hospitals and primary healthcare centres, together with public health epidemiological support. Lack of availability of DAT was an issue in our case. Such lack could be circumvented by the implementation of an international fast-track procedure to obtain it in a timely manner. Maintaining primary vaccination coverage for children and increasing booster-dose immunisation against diphtheria in the adult population is of key importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Jané
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona and Girona, Spain,CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Neus Camps
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona and Girona, Spain
| | - Magda Campins
- Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Catalan Institute of Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Martínez
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona and Girona, Spain,CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Balcells
- Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Catalan Institute of Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Gloria Bassets
- Centre d’Atenció Primària d’Olot, Catalan Institute of Health, Olot, Spain
| | | | - Anton Foguet
- Fundació Hospital d’Olot i Comarcal de la Garrotxa, Olot, Spain
| | - Mar Maresma
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona and Girona, Spain
| | - Nuria Follia
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona and Girona, Spain
| | - Sonia Uriona
- Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Catalan Institute of Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomàs Pumarola
- Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Catalan Institute of Health, Barcelona, Spain
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Czajka U, Wiatrzyk A, Mosiej E, Formińska K, Zasada AA. Changes in MLST profiles and biotypes of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates from the diphtheria outbreak period to the period of invasive infections caused by nontoxigenic strains in Poland (1950-2016). BMC Infect Dis 2018. [PMID: 29523087 PMCID: PMC5845185 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a re-emerging pathogen in Europe causing invasive infections in vaccinated persons and classical diphtheria in unvaccinated persons. In the presented study we analysed genetic changes in C. diphtheriae isolates collected in Poland from the period before the introduction of the mass anti-diphtheria vaccination to the present time when over 98% of the population is vaccinated. Methods A total of 62 C. diphtheriae isolates collected in the 1950s–1960s, 1990s and 2000–2016 in Poland were investigated. Examined properties of the isolates included toxigenic status, presence of tox gene, biotype, MLST type (ST) and type of infection. Results A total of 12 sequence types (STs) were identified among the analysed C. diphtheriae isolates. The highest variability of STs was observed among isolates from diphtheria and asymptomatic carriers collected in the XX century. Over 95% of isolates collected from invasive and wound infections in 2004–2016 belonged to ST8. Isolates from the XX century represented all four biotypes: mitis, gravis, intermedius and belfanti, but the belfanti biotype appeared only after the epidemic in the 1990s. All except three isolates from the XXI century represented the biotype gravis. Conclusions During a diphtheria epidemic period, non-epidemic clones of C. diphtheriae might also disseminate and persist in a particular area after the epidemic. An increase of the anti-diphtheria antibody level in the population causes not only the elimination of toxigenic strains from the population but may also influence the reduction of diversity of C. diphtheriae isolates. MLST types do not reflect the virulence of isolates. Each ST can be represented by various virulent variants representing various pathogenic capacities, for example toxigenic non-invasive, nontoxigenic invasive and nontoxigenic non-invasive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Czajka
- Department of Vaccines and Sera Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aldona Wiatrzyk
- Department of Vaccines and Sera Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Mosiej
- Department of Vaccines and Sera Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamila Formińska
- Department of Vaccines and Sera Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra A Zasada
- Department of Vaccines and Sera Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland.
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Doyle CJ, Mazins A, Graham RMA, Fang NX, Smith HV, Jennison AV. Sequence Analysis of Toxin Gene-Bearing Corynebacterium diphtheriae Strains, Australia. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 23:105-107. [PMID: 27983494 PMCID: PMC5176206 DOI: 10.3201/eid2301.160584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
By conducting a molecular characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains in Australia, we identified novel sequences, nonfunctional toxin genes, and 5 recent cases of toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria. These findings highlight the importance of extrapharyngeal infections for toxin gene-bearing (functional or not) and non-toxin gene-bearing C. diphtheriae strains. Continued surveillance is recommended.
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Grosse-Kock S, Kolodkina V, Schwalbe EC, Blom J, Burkovski A, Hoskisson PA, Brisse S, Smith D, Sutcliffe IC, Titov L, Sangal V. Genomic analysis of endemic clones of toxigenic and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Belarus during and after the major epidemic in 1990s. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:873. [PMID: 29132312 PMCID: PMC5683216 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4276-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diphtheria remains a major public health concern with multiple recent outbreaks around the world. Moreover, invasive non-toxigenic strains have emerged globally causing severe infections. A diphtheria epidemic in the former Soviet Union in the 1990s resulted in ~5000 deaths. In this study, we analysed the genome sequences of a collection of 93 C. diphtheriae strains collected during and after this outbreak (1996 - 2014) in a former Soviet State, Belarus to understand the evolutionary dynamics and virulence capacities of these strains. RESULTS C. diphtheriae strains from Belarus belong to ten sequence types (STs). Two major clones, non-toxigenic ST5 and toxigenic ST8, encompassed 76% of the isolates that are associated with sore throat and diphtheria in patients, respectively. Core genomic diversity is limited within outbreak-associated ST8 with relatively higher mutation rates (8.9 × 10-7 substitutions per strain per year) than ST5 (5.6 × 10-7 substitutions per strain per year) where most of the diversity was introduced by recombination. A variation in the virulence gene repertoire including the presence of tox gene is likely responsible for pathogenic differences between different strains. However, strains with similar virulence potential can cause disease in some individuals and remain asymptomatic in others. Eight synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed between the tox genes of the vaccine strain PW8 and other toxigenic strains of ST8, ST25, ST28, ST41 and non-toxigenic tox gene-bearing (NTTB) ST40 strains. A single nucleotide deletion at position 52 in the tox gene resulted in the frameshift in ST40 isolates, converting them into NTTB strains. CONCLUSIONS Non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae ST5 and toxigenic ST8 strains have been endemic in Belarus both during and after the epidemic in 1990s. A high vaccine coverage has effectively controlled diphtheria in Belarus; however, non-toxigenic strains continue to circulate in the population. Recombination is an important evolutionary force in shaping the genomic diversity in C. diphtheriae. However, the relative role of recombination and mutations in diversification varies between different clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Grosse-Kock
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Valentina Kolodkina
- Republican Research and Practical Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Edward C. Schwalbe
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Andreas Burkovski
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paul A. Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Darren Smith
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Iain C. Sutcliffe
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Leonid Titov
- Republican Research and Practical Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Vartul Sangal
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Hong KW, Asmah Hani A, Nurul Aina Murni C, Pusparani R, Chong CK, Verasahib K, Yusoff WNW, Noordin NM, Tee KK, Yin WF, Yu CY, Ang GY, Chan KG. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analysis of a toxigenic clinical isolate of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain B-D-16-78 from Malaysia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 54:263-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Rajamani Sekar S, Veeraraghavan B, Anandan S, Devanga Ragupathi N, Sangal L, Joshi S. Strengthening the laboratory diagnosis of pathogenicCorynebacteriumspecies in the Vaccine era. Lett Appl Microbiol 2017; 65:354-365. [DOI: 10.1111/lam.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S.K. Rajamani Sekar
- Department of Clinical Microbiology; Christian Medical College; Vellore India
| | - B. Veeraraghavan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology; Christian Medical College; Vellore India
| | - S. Anandan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology; Christian Medical College; Vellore India
| | | | - L. Sangal
- World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office; New Delhi India
| | - S. Joshi
- World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office; New Delhi India
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Abstract
An outbreak of respiratory diphtheria occurred in two health districts in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in 2015. A multidisciplinary outbreak response team was involved in the investigation and management of the outbreak. Fifteen cases of diphtheria were identified, with ages ranging from 4 to 41 years. Of the 12 cases that were under the age of 18 years, 9 (75%) were not fully immunized for diphtheria. The case fatality was 27%. Ninety-three household contacts, 981 school or work contacts and 595 healthcare worker contacts were identified and given prophylaxis against Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection. A targeted vaccination campaign for children aged 6-15 years was carried out at schools in the two districts. The outbreak highlighted the need to improve diphtheria vaccination coverage in the province and to investigate the feasibility of offering diphtheria vaccines to healthcare workers.
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Yang J, Yang S. Comparative analysis of Corynebacterium glutamicum genomes: a new perspective for the industrial production of amino acids. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:940. [PMID: 28198668 PMCID: PMC5310272 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium glutamicum is a non-pathogenic bacterium widely used in industrial amino acid production and metabolic engineering research. Although the genome sequences of some C. glutamicum strains are available, comprehensive comparative genome analyses of these species have not been done. Six wild type C. glutamicum strains were sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology in our study. Together with 20 previously reported strains, we present a comprehensive comparative analysis of C. glutamicum genomes. Results By average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, we show that 10 strains, which were previously classified either in the genus Brevibacterium, or as some other species within the genus Corynebacterium, should be reclassified as members of the species C. glutamicum. C. glutamicum has an open pan-genome with 2359 core genes. An additional NAD+/NADP+ specific glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) gene (gdh) was identified in the glutamate synthesis pathway of some C. glutamicum strains. For analyzing variations related to amino acid production, we have developed an efficient pipeline that includes three major steps: multi locus sequence typing (MLST), phylogenomic analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and a thorough comparison of all genomic variation amongst ancestral or closely related wild type strains. This combined approach can provide new perspectives on the industrial use of C. glutamicum. Conclusions This is the first comprehensive comparative analysis of C. glutamicum genomes at the pan-genomic level. Whole genome comparison provides definitive evidence for classifying the members of this species. Identifying an aditional gdh gene in some C. glutamicum strains may accelerate further research on glutamate synthesis. Our proposed pipeline can provide a clear perspective, including the presumed ancestor, the strain breeding trajectory, and the genomic variations necessary to increase amino acid production in C. glutamicum. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3255-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Research Center of Industrial Biotechnology, Shanghai, 201201, China.,Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Research Center of Industrial Biotechnology, Shanghai, 201201, China. .,Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing, 211816, China.
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Meinel DM, Kuehl R, Zbinden R, Boskova V, Garzoni C, Fadini D, Dolina M, Blümel B, Weibel T, Tschudin-Sutter S, Widmer AF, Bielicki JA, Dierig A, Heininger U, Konrad R, Berger A, Hinic V, Goldenberger D, Blaich A, Stadler T, Battegay M, Sing A, Egli A. Outbreak investigation for toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae wound infections in refugees from Northeast Africa and Syria in Switzerland and Germany by whole genome sequencing. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:1003.e1-1003.e8. [PMID: 27585943 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae is an important and potentially fatal threat to patients and public health. During the current dramatic influx of refugees into Europe, our objective was to use whole genome sequencing for the characterization of a suspected outbreak of C. diphtheriae wound infections among refugees. After conventional culture, we identified C. diphtheriae using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and investigated toxigenicity by PCR. Whole genome sequencing was performed on a MiSeq Illumina with >70×coverage, 2×250 bp read length, and mapping against a reference genome. Twenty cases of cutaneous C. diphtheriae in refugees from East African countries and Syria identified between April and August 2015 were included. Patients presented with wound infections shortly after arrival in Switzerland and Germany. Toxin production was detected in 9/20 (45%) isolates. Whole genome sequencing-based typing revealed relatedness between isolates using neighbour-joining algorithms. We detected three separate clusters among epidemiologically related refugees. Although the isolates within a cluster showed strong relatedness, isolates differed by >50 nucleotide polymorphisms. Toxigenic C. diphtheriae associated wound infections are currently observed more frequently in Europe, due to refugees travelling under poor hygienic conditions. Close genetic relatedness of C. diphtheriae isolates from 20 refugees with wound infections indicates likely transmission between patients. However, the diversity within each cluster and phylogenetic time-tree analysis suggest that transmissions happened several months ago, most likely outside Europe. Whole genome sequencing offers the potential to describe outbreaks at very high resolution and is a helpful tool in infection tracking and identification of transmission routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Meinel
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleissheim, Germany; Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - R Kuehl
- Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - R Zbinden
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - V Boskova
- Computational Evolution, D-BSSE, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - C Garzoni
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Clinica Luganese, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - D Fadini
- Internal Medicine, Ospedale di Mendrisio, Mendrisio, Switzerland
| | - M Dolina
- Clinical Microbiology, EOLAB, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - B Blümel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - T Weibel
- Clinical Microbiology, Labor Team W, Saint Gallen, Switzerland
| | - S Tschudin-Sutter
- Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A F Widmer
- Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - J A Bielicki
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A Dierig
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - U Heininger
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Basel Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - R Konrad
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleissheim, Germany; German National Consiliary Laboratory on Diphtheria, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - A Berger
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleissheim, Germany; German National Consiliary Laboratory on Diphtheria, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - V Hinic
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - D Goldenberger
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A Blaich
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - T Stadler
- Computational Evolution, D-BSSE, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - M Battegay
- Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A Sing
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleissheim, Germany; German National Consiliary Laboratory on Diphtheria, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - A Egli
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Benamrouche N, Hasnaoui S, Badell E, Guettou B, Lazri M, Guiso N, Rahal K. Microbiological and molecular characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated in Algeria between 1992 and 2015. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:1005.e1-1005.e7. [PMID: 27585941 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to undertake the microbiological and molecular characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates collected in Algeria during epidemic and post-epidemic periods between 1992 and 2015. Microbiological characterization includes the determination of biotype and toxigenicity status using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the E-test method. Molecular characterization was performed by multi-locus sequence typing. In total, there were 157 cases of C. diphtheriae isolates, 127 in patients with respiratory diphtheria and 30 with ozena. Isolates with a mitis biotype were predominant (122 out of 157; 77.7%) followed by belfanti (28 out of 157; 17.8%) and gravis biotype (seven out of 157; 4.5%). Toxigenic isolates were predominant in the period 1992-2006 (74 out of 134) whereas in the period 2007-2015, only non-toxigenic isolates circulated (23 out of 23). All 157 isolates were susceptible to erythromycin, gentamicin, vancomycin and cotrimoxazole. Reduced susceptibility to penicillin G, cefotaxime, tetracycline and chloramphenicol was detected in 90 (57.3%), 88 (56.1%), 112 (71.3%) and 90 (57.3%) isolates, respectively. Multi-locus sequence typing analysis indicates that sequence type 116 (ST-116) was the most frequent, with 65 out of 100 isolates analysed, in particular during the epidemic period 1992-1999 (57 out of 65 isolates). In the post-epidemic period, 2000-2015, 13 different sequence types were isolated. All belfanti isolates (ten out of 100 isolates) belonged to closely related sequence types grouped in a phylogenetically distinct eBurst group and were collected exclusively in ozena cases. In conclusion, the epidemic period was associated with ST-116 while the post-epidemic period was characterized by more diversity. Belfanti isolates are grouped in a phylogenetically distinct clonal complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Benamrouche
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Algiers, Algeria.
| | - S Hasnaoui
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Algiers, Algeria
| | - E Badell
- Molecular Prevention and Therapy of Human Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - B Guettou
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Algiers, Algeria
| | - M Lazri
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Algiers, Algeria
| | - N Guiso
- Molecular Prevention and Therapy of Human Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - K Rahal
- Medical Bacteriology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Algiers, Algeria
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Sangal V, Hoskisson PA. Evolution, epidemiology and diversity of Corynebacterium diphtheriae: New perspectives on an old foe. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 43:364-70. [PMID: 27291708 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Diphtheria is a debilitating disease caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains and has been effectively controlled by the toxoid vaccine, yet several recent outbreaks have been reported across the globe. Moreover, non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains are emerging as a major global health concern by causing severe pharyngitis and tonsillitis, endocarditis, septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Molecular epidemiological investigations suggest the existence of outbreak-associated clones with multiple genotypes circulating around the world. Evolution and pathogenesis appears to be driven by recombination as major virulence factors, including the tox gene and pilus gene clusters, are found within genomic islands that appear to be mobile between strains. The number of pilus gene clusters and variation introduced by gain or loss of gene function correlate with the variable adhesive and invasive properties of C. diphtheriae strains. Genomic variation does not support the separation of C. diphtheriae strains into biovars which correlates well with findings of studies based on multilocus sequence typing. Genomic analyses of a relatively small number of strains also revealed a recombination driven diversification of strains within a sequence type and indicate a wider diversity among C. diphtheriae strains than previously appreciated. This suggests that there is a need for increased effort from the scientific community to study C. diphtheriae to help understand the genomic diversity and pathogenicity within the population of this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vartul Sangal
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Paul A Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
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Deshpande A, Inkster T, Hamilton K, Litt D, Fry N, Kennedy ITR, Shookhye-Dickson J, Hill RLR. Colonisation with toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a Scottish burns patient, June 2015. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 20:30088. [PMID: 26691231 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2015.20.49.30088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
On 12 June 2015, Corynebacterium diphtheriae was identified in a skin swab from a burns patient in Scotland. The isolate was confirmed to be genotypically and phenotypically toxigenic. Multilocus sequence typing of three patient isolates yielded sequence type ST 125. The patient was clinically well. We summarise findings of this case, and results of close contact identification and screening: 12 family and close contacts and 32 hospital staff have been found negative for C. diphtheriae.
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Berger A, Meinel DM, Schaffer A, Ziegler R, Pitteroff J, Konrad R, Sing A. A case of pharyngeal diphtheria in Germany, June 2015. Infection 2016; 44:673-5. [PMID: 26883545 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-016-0882-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In June 2015, a 45-year-old man suffering from acute necrotic tonsillitis and throat phlegmon was hospitalized in Nuremberg, Germany. After emergency surgery the patient was initially treated with antibiotics. RESULTS A throat swab grew a toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar mitis strain. The patient's vaccination status was not documented and the patient was tested serologically for anti-diphtheria antibodies showing no protective immunity. Extensive control investigations were performed by the local health department showing no likely source of his infection. CONCLUSION No secondary cases were found and the patient completely recovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Berger
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - D M Meinel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - A Schaffer
- Public Health Authority, City of Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - R Ziegler
- Institute for Clinical Hygiene, Microbiology and Infectiology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - J Pitteroff
- Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - R Konrad
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Sing
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany. .,Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
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Sing A, Konrad R, Meinel DM, Mauder N, Schwabe I, Sting R. Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a free-roaming red fox: case report and historical review on diphtheria in animals. Infection 2015; 44:441-5. [PMID: 26424684 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-015-0846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the classical causative agent of diphtheria, is considered to be nearly restricted to humans. Here we report the first finding of a non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae biovar belfanti strain in a free-roaming wild animal. METHODS The strain obtained from the subcutis and mammary gland of a dead red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was characterized by biochemical and molecular methods including MALDI-TOF and Multi Locus Sequence Typing. Since C. diphtheriae infections of animals, usually with close contact to humans, are reported only very rarely, an intense review comprising also scientific literature from the beginning of the 20th century was performed. RESULTS Besides the present case, only 11 previously reported C. diphtheriae animal infections could be verified using current scientific criteria. CONCLUSIONS Our report is the first on the isolation of C. diphtheriae from a wildlife animal without any previous human contact. In contrast, the very few unambiguous publications on C. diphtheriae in animals referred to livestock or pet animals with close human contact. C. diphtheriae carriage in animals has to be considered as an exceptionally rare event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Sing
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany. .,Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Regina Konrad
- National Consiliary Laboratory for Diphtheria, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Dominik M Meinel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Norman Mauder
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Stuttgart, Fellbach, Germany
| | - Ingo Schwabe
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Stuttgart, Fellbach, Germany
| | - Reinhard Sting
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Stuttgart, Fellbach, Germany
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