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Attaway CC, Tobin E, Rhoads DD. Answer to May 2024 Photo Quiz. J Clin Microbiol 2024; 62:e0119423. [PMID: 38717143 PMCID: PMC11077938 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01194-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Read the full article for the answer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erick Tobin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel D. Rhoads
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Shakir SM, Gill R, Salberg J, Slechta ES, Feldman M, Fritsche T, Clarridge J, Sharp SE, Fisher MA. Clinical Laboratory Perspective on Streptococcus halichoeri, an Unusual Nonhemolytic, Lancefield Group B Streptococcus Causing Human Infections. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:1309-1316. [PMID: 33900169 PMCID: PMC8084511 DOI: 10.3201/eid2705.203428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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
Streptococcus halichoeri is a relatively newly identified species of pyogenic streptococci that causes zoonotic infection in humans. S. halichoeri was first described in 2004 as indigenous to seals, and only 8 reports of human S. halichoeri infection have been published. S. halichoeri grows as small, white, nonhemolytic colonies and may be strongly catalase-positive on routine blood agar media, which can lead to isolates being misidentified as coagulase-negative staphylococci. S. halichoeri tests positive for Lancefield group B antigen, like S. agalactiae, but can be identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry or partial 16S rRNA sequencing. We describe 3 cases of S. halichoeri bone and joint infections in patients in the United States with underlying health conditions. In addition, we examine the microbiologic characteristics of S. halichoeri and discuss the importance of fully identifying this organism that might otherwise be disregarded as a skin commensal.
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Shakir SM, Gill R, Salberg J, Slechta ES, Feldman M, Fritsche T, Clarridge J, Sharp SE, Fisher MA. Clinical Laboratory Perspective on Streptococcus halichoeri, an Unusual Nonhemolytic, Lancefield Group B Streptococcus Causing Human Infections. Emerg Infect Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.3201/eid2705/203428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Streptococcal Infections in Marine Mammals. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020350. [PMID: 33578962 PMCID: PMC7916692 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine mammals are sentinels for the marine ecosystem and threatened by numerous factors including infectious diseases. One of the most frequently isolated bacteria are beta-hemolytic streptococci. However, knowledge on ecology and epidemiology of streptococcal species in marine mammals is very limited. This review summarizes published reports on streptococcal species, which have been detected in marine mammals. Furthermore, we discuss streptococcal transmission between and adaptation to their marine mammalian hosts. We conclude that streptococci colonize and/or infect marine mammals very frequently, but in many cases, streptococci isolated from marine mammals have not been further identified. How these bacteria disseminate and adapt to their specific niches can only be speculated due to the lack of respective research. Considering the relevance of pathogenic streptococci for marine mammals as part of the marine ecosystem, it seems that they have been neglected and should receive scientific interest in the future.
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Eklund M, Aaltonen K, Sironen T, Raunio-Saarnisto M, Grönthal T, Nordgren H, Pitkälä A, Vapalahti O, Rantala M. Comparison of Streptococcus halichoeri isolates from canine and fur animal infections: biochemical patterns, molecular characteristics and genetic relatedness. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:26. [PMID: 32493395 PMCID: PMC7271505 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00525-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Streptococcus halichoeri infections have been reported in grey seals, a European badger, a Stellar sea lion and humans, but its presence in companion and fur animals is unknown. Since 2010, S. halichoeri-like bacteria (SHL) have been isolated from fur animals and dogs in Finland. Our aim was to retrospectively investigate laboratory records for SHL from canine and fur animal infections, characterize the isolates and compare their genetic relatedness in relation to three reference strains: CCUG 48324T, originating from a grey seal, and strains 67100 and 61265, originally isolated from humans. Results A total of 138 and 36 SHLs from canine and fur animal infections, respectively, were identified in the laboratory records. SHL was commonly associated with skin infections, but rarely as the only species. A set of 49 canine and 23 fur animal SHLs were further characterized. MALDI-TOF confirmed them as being S. halichoeri. The growth characteristics were consistent with the original findings, but isolates were catalase positive. In total, 17 distinct API 20 Strep patterns were recorded among all 75 isolates tested, of which pattern 5563100 was the most common (n = 30). Antimicrobial resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was common in canine isolates, but rare in fur animal isolates. Three clusters were observed by PFGE, and 16S rRNA sequencing revealed 98.1–100% similarities with the human strains and 98.1–99.5% with the seal strain. A phylogenetic tree of concatenated 16S rRNA and rpoB revealed closely related isolates with two clades. Fifteen canine isolates were identical to the human strains based on concatenated 16S rRNA and rpoB sequencing. Conclusions Streptococcus halichoeri appears to be quite a common bacterial species in the skin of dogs and fur animals. The clinical significance of S. halichoeri is uncertain, as it was rarely isolated as a monoculture. No apparent temporal or spatial clustering was detected, but isolates from different sources were genetically very similar. Because many canine isolates were genetically similar to the human reference strains, transmission between dogs and humans may be possible. WGS sequencing of strains from different sources is needed to further investigate the epidemiology and virulence of S. halichoeri.
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Aaltonen K, Kant R, Eklund M, Raunio-Saarnisto M, Paulin L, Vapalahti O, Grönthal T, Rantala M, Sironen T. Streptococcus halichoeri: Comparative Genomics of an Emerging Pathogen. Int J Genomics 2020; 2020:8708305. [PMID: 32149071 PMCID: PMC7049441 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8708305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus halichoeri is an emerging pathogen with a variety of host species and zoonotic potential. It has been isolated from grey seals and other marine mammals as well as from human infections. Beginning in 2010, two concurrent epidemics were identified in Finland, in fur animals and domestic dogs, respectively. The fur animals suffered from a new disease fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma (FENP) and the dogs presented with ear infections with poor treatment response. S. halichoeri was isolated in both studies, albeit among other pathogens, indicating a possible role in the disease etiologies. The aim was to find a possible common origin of the fur animal and dog isolates and study the virulence factors to assess pathogenic potential. Isolates from seal, human, dogs, and fur animals were obtained for comparison. The whole genomes were sequenced from 20 different strains using the Illumina MiSeq platform and annotated using an automatic annotation pipeline RAST. The core and pangenomes were formed by comparing the genomes against each other in an all-against-all comparison. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the genes of the core genome. Virulence factors were assessed using the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB) concentrating on the previously confirmed streptococcal factors. A core genome was formed which encompassed approximately half of the genes in Streptococcus halichoeri. The resulting core was nearly saturated and would not change significantly by adding more genomes. The remaining genes formed the pangenome which was highly variable and would still evolve after additional genomes. The results highlight the great adaptability of this bacterium possibly explaining the ease at which it switches hosts and environments. Virulence factors were also analyzed and were found primarily in the core genome. They represented many classes and functions, but the largest single category was adhesins which again supports the marine origin of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Aaltonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjut Eklund
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Lars Paulin
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- HUSLAB, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thomas Grönthal
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merja Rantala
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Michael SA, Hayman DTS, Gray R, Zhang J, Rogers L, Roe WD. Pup mortality in New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) at Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, 2013-18. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225461. [PMID: 31751414 PMCID: PMC6874089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) are an endemic and endangered species. Pup mortality at Enderby Island (50.5°S, 166.28°E) in the New Zealand sub-Antarctic has been well studied, with subsequent investigations yielding more intricate detail of the causes of mortality, as new diagnostic methods become available. Klebsiella pneumoniae was first reported in 2001-02 at this site, causing a pup mortality epizootic and is now known to be present at several colonies. This bacterium is a common mucosal commensal of humans and animals, however the agent found in pups at necropsy is a hypervirulent strain, readily recognised in microbial culture as being hypermucoviscous. Infection causes septicaemia with a common syndrome of subsequent meningitis and polyarthritis. This investigation uses histopathology and microbiology, with new modalities such as matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry to show that Klebsiella septicaemia could have historically been, and continues to be, the most important cause of pup mortality, but has been previously underrepresented due to the often cryptic presentation and sometimes peracute course of disease. Hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae should be considered a serious threat to pup survival in the species, causing on average 60.2% of pup deaths annually at Enderby Island between 2013 and 2018, with likely more continuing mortality following pup dispersal and the cessation of the summer monitoring season. Less common causes of death included starvation (14.8%), trauma/asphyxiation (9.9%) and other infections (7%). This study forms the basis for further evaluation of risk factors for pup mortality in the species, with a view to developing active mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Michael
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - David T. S. Hayman
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ji Zhang
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Lynn Rogers
- Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wendi D. Roe
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Suggested Modifications To Improve the Sensitivity and Specificity of the 2010 CDC-Recommended Routine Streptococcus agalactiae Screening Culture for Pregnant Women. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:JCM.00446-19. [PMID: 31167841 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00446-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Munson E, Carroll KC. An Update on the Novel Genera and Species and Revised Taxonomic Status of Bacterial Organisms Described in 2016 and 2017. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:e01181-18. [PMID: 30257907 PMCID: PMC6355528 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01181-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recognition and acknowledgment of novel bacterial taxonomy and nomenclature revisions can impact clinical practice, disease epidemiology, and routine clinical microbiology laboratory operations. The Journal of Clinical Microbiology (JCM) herein presents its biannual report summarizing such changes published in the years 2016 and 2017, as published and added by the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology Noteworthy discussion centers around descriptions of novel Corynebacteriaceae and an anaerobic mycolic acid-producing bacterium in the suborder Corynebacterineae; revisions within the Propionibacterium, Clostridium, Borrelia, and Enterobacter genera; and a major reorganization of the family Enterobacteriaceae. JCM intends to sustain this series of reports as advancements in molecular genetics, whole-genome sequencing, and studies of the human microbiome continue to produce novel taxa and clearer understandings of bacterial relatedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Munson
- College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Karen C Carroll
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Shewmaker PL, Whitney AM, Gulvik CA, Lipman NS. Streptococcus azizii sp. nov., isolated from naïve weanling mice. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2017; 67:5032-5037. [PMID: 29022542 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.002407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Three isolates of a previously reported novel catalase-negative, Gram-stain-positive, coccoid, alpha-haemolytic, Streptococcus species that were associated with meningoencephalitis in naïve weanling mice were further evaluated to confirm their taxonomic status and to determine additional phenotypic and molecular characteristics. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed nearly identical intra-species sequence similarity (≥99.9 %), and revealed the closest phylogenetically related species, Streptococcus acidominimus and Streptococcuscuniculi, with 97.0 and 97.5 % sequence similarity, respectively. The rpoB, sodA and recN genes were identical for the three isolates and were 87.6, 85.7 and 82.5 % similar to S. acidominimus and 89.7, 86.2 and 80.7 % similar to S. cuniculi, respectively. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization analyses of mouse isolate 12-5202T against S. acidominimus CCUG 27296T and S. cuniculi CCUG 65085T produced estimated values of 26.4 and 25.7 % relatedness, and the calculated average nucleotide identity values were 81.9 and 81.7, respectively. These data confirm the taxonomic status of 12-5202T as a distinct Streptococcus species, and we formally propose the type strain, Streptococcusazizii 12-5202T (=CCUG 69378T=DSM 103678T). The genome of Streptococcus azizii sp. nov. 12-5202T contains 2062 total genes with a size of 2.34 Mbp, and an average G+C content of 42.76 mol%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne M Whitney
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA
| | | | - Neil S Lipman
- Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Oren A, Garrity GM. Notification of changes in taxonomic opinion previously published outside the IJSEM. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2016; 66:2469-2470. [PMID: 27530227 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aharon Oren
- The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - George M Garrity
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Physical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-4320, USA
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