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Williams AN, Croxen MA, Demczuk WHB, Martin I, Tyrrell GJ. Genomic characterization of emerging invasive Streptococcus agalactiae serotype VIII in Alberta, Canada. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 42:747-757. [PMID: 37084119 PMCID: PMC10120474 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04606-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can infect pregnant women, neonates, and older adults. Invasive GBS serotype VIII is infrequent in Alberta; however, cases have increased in recent years. Here, genomic analysis was used to characterize fourteen adult invasive serotype VIII isolates from 2009 to 2021. Trends in descriptive clinical data and antimicrobial susceptibility results were evaluated for invasive serotype VIII isolates from Alberta. Isolate genomes were sequenced and subjected to molecular sequence typing, virulence and antimicrobial resistance gene identification, phylogenetic analysis, and pangenome determination. Multilocus sequencing typing identified eight ST42 (Clonal Complex; CC19), four ST1 (CC1), and two ST2 (CC1) profiles. Isolates were susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin, apart from one isolate that displayed erythromycin and inducible clindamycin resistance. All isolates carried genes for peptide antibiotic resistance, three isolates for tetracycline resistance, and one for macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin resistance. All genomes carried targets currently being considered for protein-based vaccines (e.g., pili and/or Alpha family proteins). Overall, invasive GBS serotype VIII is emerging in Alberta, primarily due to ST42. Characterization and continued surveillance of serotype VIII will be important for outbreak prevention, informing vaccine development, and contributing to our understanding of the global epidemiology of this rare serotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Williams
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab), Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Matthew A Croxen
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab), Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Walter H B Demczuk
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Irene Martin
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Gregory J Tyrrell
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab), Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Moore RE, Spicer SK, Talbert JA, Manning SD, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA. Anti-biofilm Activity of Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Clinical Strains of Streptococcus agalactiae with Diverse Capsular and Sequence Types. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200643. [PMID: 36622717 PMCID: PMC10262446 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200643] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an encapsulated Gram-positive bacterial pathogen that causes severe perinatal infections. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are short-chain sugars that have recently been shown to possess antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against a variety of bacterial pathogens, including GBS. We have expanded these studies to demonstrate that HMOs can inhibit and dismantle biofilm in both invasive and colonizing strains of GBS. A cohort of 30 diverse strains of GBS were analyzed for susceptibility to HMO-dependent biofilm inhibition or destruction. HMOs were significantly effective at inhibiting biofilm in capsular-type- and sequence-type-specific fashion, with significant efficacy in CpsIb, CpsII, CpsIII, CpsV, and CpsVI strains as well as ST-1, ST-12, ST-19, and ST-23 strains. Interestingly, CpsIa as well as ST-7 and ST-17 were not susceptible to the anti-biofilm activity of HMOs, underscoring the strain-specific effects of these important antimicrobial molecules against the perinatal pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Moore
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
| | - Sabrina K. Spicer
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
| | - Julie A. Talbert
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
| | - Shannon D. Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A
| | - Steven D. Townsend
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
| | - Jennifer A. Gaddy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
- Center for Medicine Health and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A
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Liang B, Chen H, Yu D, Zhao W, Cai X, Qiu H, Xu L. Molecular Epidemiology of Group B Streptococcus Isolates from Pregnant Women with Premature Rupture of Membranes in Fuzhou, China. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:269-278. [PMID: 36683909 PMCID: PMC9849789 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s393935] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in Fuzhou region of China as a source of clinical reference. Methods GBS isolates were obtained from pregnant women with PROM. All isolates were genotyped, serotyped, and tested for drug-resistance and virulence genes using PCR and DNA sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Vitek® 2 automated system. Results Among the 140 GBS isolates, seventeen sequence types (STs) were identified, of which ST19 (20.0%) was the most prevalent, followed by ST862, ST10, and ST12. Three clonal complexes (CC19, CC10 and CC1) were identified. The predominant serotype was III (45.7%), followed by V (23.6%), Ib (18.6%), Ia (7.1%), and II (3.6%). The prevalence of multidrug resistance was 72.8% (102/140). All isolates were susceptible to penicillin G, ampicillin, quinupristin, linezolid, vancomycin, and tigecycline. The majority of isolates were resistant to erythromycin (70.0%), clindamycin (72.1%), and tetracycline (81.4%), and 28.6% of isolates were resistant to levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Of the 98 erythromycin-resistant strains, mreA, ermB, mefA, mefE, ermA, and ermTR were detected in 100%, 70.4%, 49.0%, 22.4%, 13.3%, and 9.2%, respectively. No linB was detected among 101 clindamycin-resistant strains. Of the 114 tetracycline-resistant strains, tetM, tetK, tetL and tetO were detected in 52.6%, 61.4%, 7.9%, and 23.7%, respectively. Regarding virulence genes, all strains carried rib and hylB, followed by scpB (98.6%), and bca (80.7%), whereas only one strain carried bac. Conclusion ST19/III and ST862/III were the most prevalent GBS subtypes. Penicillin G remains a first-line antibiotic for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment of GBS infections. The prevalence of resistance to clindamycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline is high among GBS isolates in the Fuzhou region. ST862 and ST651 are emerging animal origin STs in human infections, and may become potential zoonotic threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liang
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huiyu Chen
- Laboratory Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Donghong Yu
- Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China,Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wantong Zhao
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China,Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoling Cai
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China,Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huahong Qiu
- Laboratory Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liangpu Xu
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Liangpu Xu; Huahong Qiu, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-0591-87554929; +86-0591-87604121, Email ;
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Francis JD, Guevara MA, Lu J, Madhi SA, Kwatra G, Aronoff DM, Manning SD, Gaddy JA. The antimicrobial activity of zinc against group B Streptococcus is strain-dependent across diverse sequence types, capsular serotypes, and invasive versus colonizing isolates. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:23. [PMID: 35026981 PMCID: PMC8756620 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02428-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an encapsulated gram-positive bacterial pathobiont that commonly colonizes the lower gastrointestinal tract and reproductive tract of human hosts. This bacterium can infect the gravid reproductive tract and cause invasive infections of pregnant patients and neonates. Upon colonizing the reproductive tract, the bacterial cell is presented with numerous nutritional challenges imposed by the host. One strategy employed by the host innate immune system is intoxication of bacterial invaders with certain transition metals such as zinc. METHODOLOGY Previous work has demonstrated that GBS must employ elegant strategies to circumnavigate zinc stress in order to survive in the vertebrate host. We assessed 30 strains of GBS from diverse isolation sources, capsular serotypes, and sequence types for susceptibility or resistance to zinc intoxication. RESULTS Invasive strains, such as those isolated from early onset disease manifestations of GBS infection were significantly less susceptible to zinc toxicity than colonizing strains isolated from rectovaginal swabs of pregnant patients. Additionally, capsular type III (cpsIII) strains and the ST-17 and ST-19 strains exhibited the greatest resilience to zinc stress, whereas ST-1 and ST-12 strains as well as those possessing capsular type Ib (cpsIb) were more sensitive to zinc intoxication. Thus, this study demonstrates that the transition metal zinc possesses antimicrobial properties against a wide range of GBS strains, with isolation source, capsular serotype, and sequence type contributing to susceptibility or resistance to zinc stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamisha D Francis
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Miriam A Guevara
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Jacky Lu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Shabir A Madhi
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gaurav Kwatra
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - David M Aronoff
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A2200 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, U.S.A
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Shannon D Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A2200 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37232, U.S.A..
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA.
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Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of invasive neonatal disease. Epidemiological surveillance of GBS is important to determine cumulative incidence, antimicrobial resistance rates, and maternal and neonatal disease prevention. In this study, we present an update on GBS epidemiology in Alberta, Canada, from 2014 to 2020. Over the 7-year period, 1,556 GBS isolates were submitted to the Alberta Public Health Laboratory for capsular polysaccharide (CPS) typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We analyzed the distribution of CPS types in Alberta and found CPS types III (23.6%), Ia (16.0%), Ib (14.8%), II (13.3%), V (12.7%), IV (12.5%), and VI (2.38%) to be the most prevalent. Less than 1% each of CPS types VII, VIII, and IX were identified. In agreement with historical data, the presence of CPS type IV continued to rise across Alberta, particularly in cases of adult infection, where a 2-fold increase was observed. Cumulative incidences of GBS cases per 100,000 population and late-onset disease per 1,000 live births increased from 4.43 to 5.36 and 0.38 to 0.41, respectively, from 2014 to 2020. However, the incidence of early-onset disease decreased during the 7-year period from 0.2 to 0.07, suggestive of successful intrapartum chemoprophylaxis treatment programs. All GBS isolates were susceptible to penicillin and vancomycin. However, nonsusceptibility to erythromycin increased significantly, from 36.85% to 50.8%, from 2014 to 2020. Similarly, nonsusceptibility to clindamycin also increased significantly, from 21.0% to 45.8%. In comparison to historical data, the overall rates of GBS infection and antimicrobial resistance have increased and the predominant CPS types have changed. IMPORTANCE This work describes the epidemiology of invasive infections caused by the bacterium group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Alberta, Canada. We show that rates of invasive GBS disease have increased from 2014 to 2020 for both adult disease and late-onset disease in neonates, whereas the rate of early onset disease in neonates has decreased. We also show that the rate of resistance to erythromycin (an antibiotic used to treat GBS) has also increased in this time.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Alberta/epidemiology
- Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use
- Bacterial Typing Techniques
- Blood Culture
- Canada/epidemiology
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Clindamycin/therapeutic use
- Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics
- Erythromycin/therapeutic use
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/drug therapy
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/epidemiology
- Infant, Newborn, Diseases/microbiology
- Male
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests
- Middle Aged
- Polysaccharides, Bacterial/analysis
- Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy
- Streptococcal Infections/epidemiology
- Streptococcus agalactiae/classification
- Streptococcus agalactiae/drug effects
- Streptococcus agalactiae/isolation & purification
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Ma
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Canada
| | - L Alexa Thompson
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Thomas Corsiatto
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Donna Hurteau
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Gregory J Tyrrell
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Albertagrid.17089.37, Edmonton, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories-Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Edmonton, Canada
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6
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Epidemiological Characterization of Group B Streptococcus Infections in Alberta, Canada: An Update from 2014 to 2020. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0128321. [PMID: 34762517 PMCID: PMC8585492 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01283-21] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of invasive neonatal disease. Epidemiological surveillance of GBS is important to determine cumulative incidence, antimicrobial resistance rates, and maternal and neonatal disease prevention. In this study, we present an update on GBS epidemiology in Alberta, Canada, from 2014 to 2020. Over the 7-year period, 1,556 GBS isolates were submitted to the Alberta Public Health Laboratory for capsular polysaccharide (CPS) typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We analyzed the distribution of CPS types in Alberta and found CPS types III (23.6%), Ia (16.0%), Ib (14.8%), II (13.3%), V (12.7%), IV (12.5%), and VI (2.38%) to be the most prevalent. Less than 1% each of CPS types VII, VIII, and IX were identified. In agreement with historical data, the presence of CPS type IV continued to rise across Alberta, particularly in cases of adult infection, where a 2-fold increase was observed. Cumulative incidences of GBS cases per 100,000 population and late-onset disease per 1,000 live births increased from 4.43 to 5.36 and 0.38 to 0.41, respectively, from 2014 to 2020. However, the incidence of early-onset disease decreased during the 7-year period from 0.2 to 0.07, suggestive of successful intrapartum chemoprophylaxis treatment programs. All GBS isolates were susceptible to penicillin and vancomycin. However, nonsusceptibility to erythromycin increased significantly, from 36.85% to 50.8%, from 2014 to 2020. Similarly, nonsusceptibility to clindamycin also increased significantly, from 21.0% to 45.8%. In comparison to historical data, the overall rates of GBS infection and antimicrobial resistance have increased and the predominant CPS types have changed. IMPORTANCE This work describes the epidemiology of invasive infections caused by the bacterium group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Alberta, Canada. We show that rates of invasive GBS disease have increased from 2014 to 2020 for both adult disease and late-onset disease in neonates, whereas the rate of early onset disease in neonates has decreased. We also show that the rate of resistance to erythromycin (an antibiotic used to treat GBS) has also increased in this time.
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Dammann AN, Chamby AB, Gonzalez FJ, Sharp ME, Flores K, Shahi I, Dongas S, Hooven TA, Ratner AJ. Group B Streptococcus capsular serotype alters vaginal colonization fitness. J Infect Dis 2021; 225:1896-1904. [PMID: 34788438 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab559] [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: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. A candidate vaccine targets six GBS serotypes, offering a potential alternative to intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce disease burden. However, our understanding of the contributions of specific capsule types to GBS colonization and disease remains limited. METHODS Using allelic exchange, we generated isogenic GBS strains differing only in the serotype-determining region in two genetic backgrounds, including the hypervirulent clonal complex (CC) 17. Using a murine model of vaginal co-colonization, we evaluated the roles of the presence of capsule and of expression of specific capsular types in GBS vaginal colonization fitness independent of other genetic factors. RESULTS Encapsulated wild-type strains COH1 (CC17, serotype III) and A909 (non-CC17, serotype Ia), outcompeted isogenic acapsular mutants in murine vaginal co-colonization. COH1 wild-type outcompeted A909. Notably, expression of type Ia capsule conferred an advantage over type III capsule in both genetic backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS Specific capsule types may provide an advantage in GBS vaginal colonization in vivo. However, success of certain GBS lineages, including CC17, likely involves both capsule and non-capsule genetic elements. Capsule switching in GBS, a potential outcome of conjugate vaccine programs, may alter colonization fitness or pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N Dammann
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna B Chamby
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francisco J Gonzalez
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Molly E Sharp
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karina Flores
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ifrah Shahi
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophia Dongas
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas A Hooven
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Adam J Ratner
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Lu J, Guevara MA, Francis JD, Spicer SK, Moore RE, Chambers SA, Craft KM, Manning SD, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA. Analysis of Susceptibility to the Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Human Milk Lactoferrin in Clinical Strains of Streptococcus agalactiae With Diverse Capsular and Sequence Types. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:740872. [PMID: 34616691 PMCID: PMC8488155 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.740872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the leading infection-related causes of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This includes chorioamnionitis, which leads to preterm ruptures of membranes and can ultimately result in preterm or stillbirth. Infection can also lead to maternal and neonatal sepsis that may contribute to mortality. Currently, treatment for GBS infection include a bolus of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to mothers testing positive for GBS colonization during late pregnancy. Lactoferrin is an antimicrobial peptide expressed in human breast milk, mucosal epithelia, and secondary granules of neutrophils. We previously demonstrated that lactoferrin possesses antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against several strains of GBS. This is largely due to the ability of lactoferrin to bind and sequester iron. We expanded upon that study by assessing the effects of purified human breast milk lactoferrin against a panel of phenotypically and genetically diverse isolates of GBS. Of the 25 GBS isolates screened, lactoferrin reduced bacterial growth in 14 and biofilm formation in 21 strains. Stratifying the data, we observed that colonizing strains were more susceptible to the growth inhibition activity of lactoferrin than invasive isolates at lactoferrin concentrations between 250-750 µg/mL. Treatment with 750 µg/mL of lactoferrin resulted in differences in bacterial growth and biofilm formation between discrete sequence types. Differences in bacterial growth were also observed between capsular serotypes 1a and III. Maternally isolated strains were more susceptible to lactoferrin with respect to bacterial growth, but not biofilm formation, compared to neonatal sepsis isolates. Finally, high biofilm forming GBS strains were more impacted by lactoferrin across all isolates tested. Taken together, this study demonstrates that lactoferrin possesses antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against a wide range of GBS isolates, with maternally isolated colonizing strains being the most susceptible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacky Lu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Miriam A Guevara
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jamisha D Francis
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Sabrina K Spicer
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Rebecca E Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Schuyler A Chambers
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Kelly M Craft
- Department of Chemistry, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Shannon D Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Steven D Townsend
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.,Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, United States
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Noble K, Lu J, Guevara MA, Doster RS, Chambers SA, Rogers LM, Moore RE, Spicer SK, Eastman AJ, Francis JD, Manning SD, Rajagopal L, Aronoff DM, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA. Group B Streptococcus cpsE Is Required for Serotype V Capsule Production and Aids in Biofilm Formation and Ascending Infection of the Reproductive Tract during Pregnancy. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2686-2696. [PMID: 34076405 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an encapsulated Gram-positive pathogen that causes ascending infections of the reproductive tract during pregnancy. The capsule of this organism is a critical virulence factor that has been implicated in a variety of cellular processes to promote pathogenesis. Primarily comprised of carbohydrates, the GBS capsule and its synthesis is driven by the capsule polysaccharide synthesis (cps) operon. The cpsE gene within this operon encodes a putative glycosyltransferase that is responsible for the transfer of a Glc-1-P from UDP-Glc to an undecaprenyl lipid molecule. We hypothesized that the cpsE gene product is important for GBS virulence and ascending infection during pregnancy. Our work demonstrates that a GBS cpsE mutant secretes fewer carbohydrates, has a reduced capsule, and forms less biofilm than the wild-type parental strain. We show that, compared to the parental strain, the ΔcpsE deletion mutant is more readily taken up by human placental macrophages and has a significantly attenuated ability to invade and proliferate in the mouse reproductive tract. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the cpsE gene product is an important virulence factor that aids in GBS colonization and invasion of the gravid reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Noble
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Jacky Lu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Miriam A. Guevara
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Ryan S. Doster
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Schuyler A. Chambers
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Lisa M. Rogers
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Rebecca E. Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Sabrina K. Spicer
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Alison J. Eastman
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Jamisha D. Francis
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
| | - Shannon D. Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, United States
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - David M. Aronoff
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Steven D. Townsend
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Gaddy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
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Phenotypic and molecular analysis of nontypeable Group B streptococci: identification of cps2a and hybrid cps2a/cps5 Group B streptococcal capsule gene clusters. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:137. [PMID: 30087323 PMCID: PMC6081472 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0138-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The Group B streptococcus (GBS) can express a capsular polysaccharide (CPS). There are ten recognized CPSs (Ia, Ib, and II-IX). A GBS isolate is considered nontypeable (NT) when CPS cannot be identified as one of ten types. Two groups of GBS NT isolates were studied, isolates without surface sialic acid (sia(-)) and isolates with surface sialic acid (sia(+)). The first objective was to characterize NT sia(-) isolates that failed CPS identification by an immunodiffusion antisera typing assay and a RT-PCR capsule typing assay. NT sia(-) isolates were characterized by assaying phenotypic changes and identifying covR/S mutations that may potentially have a role in the altered phenotypes. The second objective was to characterize NT sia(+) isolates that failed to identify as one of the ten CPS types by an immundiffusion antisera-based typing assay and a RT-PCR capsule typing assay yet expressed capsule. Fifteen NT sia(-) isolates displayed increased β hemolysis/orange pigmentation, decreased CAMP activity, inability to form biofilm, and susceptibility to phagocytosis by human blood. DNA sequence analysis of the covR/S genes in the sia(-) isolates found mutations in 14 of 15 isolates assayed. These mutations in the covR/S genes may potentially contribute to lack of expression of phenotypic traits assayed in vitro. For the three NT sia(+) isolates, whole-genome sequence analyses identified two isolates with cps gene clusters identical to the recently described and uncommon CPSIIa type. The third isolate possessed a hybrid cluster containing cps genes for both CPSIIa and CPSV suggesting recombination between these two gene clusters.
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