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Timofeev V, Bakhteeva I, Titareva G, Mironova R, Evseeva V, Kravchenko T, Sizova A, Borzilov A, Pavlovich N, Mokrievich A, Dyatlov I, Vergnaud G. Avirulence of a spontaneous Francisella tularensis subsp. mediasiatica prmA mutant. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305569. [PMID: 38889158 PMCID: PMC11185464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is divided into three subspecies. Two of these, subspecies holarctica and tularensis, are highly pathogenic to humans and consequently relatively well studied. The third subspecies, mediasiatica, is rarely isolated and remains poorly studied. It is distributed in the sparsely populated regions of Central Asia and Siberia. Curently this subspecies is not known to have been responsible for human infections in spite of its high virulence in laboratory animals. Subspecies mediasiatica is currently divided into three subgroups-MI, present in Central Asia, MII, present in southern Siberia, and MIII represented by a unique strain, 60(B)57, isolated in Uzbekistan in 1960. We describe here the unexpected observation that MIII strain 60(B)57 is avirulent and immunogenic. We observed that infection with this strain protected mice from challenge 21 days later with a virulent subsp. mediasiatica strain. With an increase of this interval, the protection for mice was significantly reduced. In contrast, guinea pigs were protected from challenge with strains of the subspecies holarctica and mediasiatica (but not subsp. tularensis) 90 days after infection with 60(B)57. We performed genome assembly based on whole genome sequencing data obtained using the Nanopore MinION for strain 60(B)57 and two subsp. mediasiatica strains representing the Central Asian MI and Siberian MII phylogenetic subgroups. The prmA gene is truncated due to a nonsense mutation in strain 60(B)57. The deletion of gene prmA has previously been shown to induce a loss of virulence in Francisella novicida the closest model organism suggesting that the observed mutation might the cause of the avirulence of strain 60(B)57.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitalii Timofeev
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Irina Bakhteeva
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Galina Titareva
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Raisa Mironova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Vera Evseeva
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Tatiana Kravchenko
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Angelika Sizova
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Alexander Borzilov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | | | - Alexander Mokrievich
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Ivan Dyatlov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Buettcher M, Egli A, Albini S, Altpeter E, Labutin A, Guidi V, Tonolla M, Lienhard R, Opota O, Schmid P, Wuethrich T, Schmidt KM. Tularemia on the rise in Switzerland? A one health approach is needed! Infection 2024; 52:1165-1169. [PMID: 38480644 PMCID: PMC11142933 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-024-02218-9] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
In the last 10 years, an increase in tularemia cases has been observed in both humans and animals in Switzerland. In these, infection with Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia, can occur through arthropod vectors or contact to infected animals or exposure to contaminated environmental sources. Currently, we are only able to postulate potential aetiologies: (i) behavioral changes of humans with more exposure to endemic habitats of infected arthropod vectors; (ii) an increased rate of tularemia infected ticks; (iii) increasing number and geographical regions of tick biotopes; (iv) increasing and/or more diverse reservoir populations; (v) increasing presence of bacteria in the environment; (vi) raised awareness and increased testing among physicians; (vii) improved laboratory techniques including molecular testing. To approach these questions, a one-health strategy is necessary. A functioning collaboration between public health, human medicine, and diagnostic and veterinary units for the control of tularemia must be established. Furthermore, the public should be included within citizen-supported-science-projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Buettcher
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital of Central Switzerland (KidZ), Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Spitalstrasse, 6000, Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, University Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics Research Center, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), University Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Adrian Egli
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Coordination Commission of Clinical Microbiology, Swiss Society of Microbiology, Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Albini
- Section for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Valeria Guidi
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland-SUPSI, Mendrisio, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Tonolla
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland-SUPSI, Mendrisio, Switzerland
- Department of Plant Biology, Microbiology Unit, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Reto Lienhard
- ADMED Microbiologie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
- Swiss National Reference Center for Tick-Borne Pathogen, CNRT, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
| | - Onya Opota
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University and Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrizia Schmid
- Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, University Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Tsering Wuethrich
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), Spiez, Switzerland
- Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Kristina M Schmidt
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), Spiez, Switzerland
- Swiss National Reference Center for Highly Pathogenic Bacteria (NABA), Spiez, Switzerland
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3
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Alpert JS. Medical Jeopardy Quiz: Zoonoses - What Disease Is Related to These Animals? Am J Med 2024; 137:293-294. [PMID: 37572745 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Alpert
- University of Arizona School of Medicine, TucsonEditor in Chief, The American Journal of Medicine.
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4
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Birn R, Hamik J, Dayne L, Frederick J, Bartling A, Iwen PC, Wells A, Donahue M. Confirmed Case of Longstanding Respiratory Francisella tularensis holarctica Infection: Nebraska, 2022. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:S64-S66. [PMID: 38294112 PMCID: PMC10828931 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad669] [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: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
A male patient with distant history of extensive rabbit contact and pulmonary nodules for 6 years developed empyema. Francisella tularensis holarctica was isolated from thoracentesis fluid. Retrospective immunohistochemical examination of a pulmonary nodule, biopsied 3 years prior, was immunoreactive for F. tularensis. These findings suggest the potential for chronic tularemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Birn
- Epidemiology Unit, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
- Applied Epidemiology Fellow, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Water, Climate and Health Program, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jeff Hamik
- Epidemiology Unit, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Lana Dayne
- Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section, Douglas County Health Department, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Justin Frederick
- Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section, Douglas County Health Department, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Amanda Bartling
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Peter C Iwen
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Adam Wells
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Section, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Respiratory Care Program, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Matthew Donahue
- Epidemiology Unit, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Maurin M, Pondérand L, Hennebique A, Pelloux I, Boisset S, Caspar Y. Tularemia treatment: experimental and clinical data. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1348323. [PMID: 38298538 PMCID: PMC10827922 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1348323] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by the Gram negative, facultative intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis. This disease has multiple clinical presentations according to the route of infection, the virulence of the infecting bacterial strain, and the underlying medical condition of infected persons. Systemic infections (e.g., pneumonic and typhoidal form) and complications are rare but may be life threatening. Most people suffer from local infection (e.g., skin ulcer, conjunctivitis, or pharyngitis) with regional lymphadenopathy, which evolve to suppuration in about 30% of patients and a chronic course of infection. Current treatment recommendations have been established to manage acute infections in the context of a biological threat and do not consider the great variability of clinical situations. This review summarizes literature data on antibiotic efficacy against F. tularensis in vitro, in animal models, and in humans. Empirical treatment with beta-lactams, most macrolides, or anti-tuberculosis agents is usually ineffective. The aminoglycosides gentamicin and streptomycin remain the gold standard for severe infections, and the fluoroquinolones and doxycycline for infections of mild severity, although current data indicate the former are usually more effective. However, the antibiotic treatments reported in the literature are highly variable in their composition and duration depending on the clinical manifestations, the age and health status of the patient, the presence of complications, and the evolution of the disease. Many patients received several antibiotics in combination or successively. Whatever the antibiotic treatment administered, variable but high rates of treatment failures and relapses are still observed, especially in patients treated more then 2-3 weeks after disease onset. In these patients, surgical treatment is often necessary for cure, including drainage or removal of suppurative lymph nodes or other infectious foci. It is currently difficult to establish therapeutic recommendations, particularly due to lack of comparative randomized studies. However, we have attempted to summarize current knowledge through proposals for improving tularemia treatment which will have to be discussed by a group of experts. A major factor in improving the prognosis of patients with tularemia is the early administration of appropriate treatment, which requires better medical knowledge and diagnostic strategy of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Maurin
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Grenoble, France
| | - Léa Pondérand
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Grenoble, France
| | - Aurélie Hennebique
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Pelloux
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Sandrine Boisset
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Grenoble, France
| | - Yvan Caspar
- Centre National de Référence Francisella tularensis, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Grenoble, France
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Degabriel M, Valeva S, Boisset S, Henry T. Pathogenicity and virulence of Francisella tularensis. Virulence 2023; 14:2274638. [PMID: 37941380 PMCID: PMC10653695 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2274638] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tularaemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium, Francisella tularensis. Depending on its entry route into the organism, F. tularensis causes different diseases, ranging from life-threatening pneumonia to less severe ulceroglandular tularaemia. Various strains with different geographical distributions exhibit different levels of virulence. F. tularensis is an intracellular bacterium that replicates primarily in the cytosol of the phagocytes. The main virulence attribute of F. tularensis is the type 6 secretion system (T6SS) and its effectors that promote escape from the phagosome. In addition, F. tularensis has evolved a peculiar envelope that allows it to escape detection by the immune system. In this review, we cover tularaemia, different Francisella strains, and their pathogenicity. We particularly emphasize the intracellular life cycle, associated virulence factors, and metabolic adaptations. Finally, we present how F. tularensis largely escapes immune detection to be one of the most infectious and lethal bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Degabriel
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
| | - Stanimira Valeva
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
| | - Sandrine Boisset
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CHU Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, UMR5075, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Thomas Henry
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, LYON, France
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7
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Stegmüller S, Qi W, Torgerson PR, Fraefel C, Kubacki J. Hazard potential of Swiss Ixodes ricinus ticks: Virome composition and presence of selected bacterial and protozoan pathogens. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290942. [PMID: 37956168 PMCID: PMC10642849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks play an important role in transmitting many different emerging zoonotic pathogens that pose a significant threat to human and animal health. In Switzerland and abroad, the number of tick-borne diseases, in particular tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), has been increasing over the last few years. Thus, it remains essential to investigate the pathogen spectrum of ticks to rapidly detect emerging pathogens and initiate the necessary measures. To assess the risk of tick-borne diseases in different regions of Switzerland, we collected a total of 10'286 ticks from rural and urban areas in ten cantons in 2021 and 2022. Ticks were pooled according to species, developmental stage, gender, and collection site, and analyzed using next generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The metagenomic analysis revealed for the first time the presence of Alongshan virus (ALSV) in Swiss ticks. Interestingly, the pool-prevalence of ALSV was higher than that of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Furthermore, several TBEV foci have been identified and pool prevalence of selected non-viral pathogens determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Stegmüller
- Institute of Virology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Weihong Qi
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paul R. Torgerson
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornel Fraefel
- Institute of Virology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakub Kubacki
- Institute of Virology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology (DIP), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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8
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Mohammed RR, Enferadi A, Sidiq KR, Sarani S, Khademi P, Jaydari A, Ahmed AK. Molecular Detection of Francisella tularensis Isolated from Ticks of Livestock in Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:514-519. [PMID: 37582218 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0022] [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: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes tularemia in both human and animals. Tularemia is a potential serious zoonotic disease that is transmitted by different routes, including tick bites. Materials and Methods: This study deals with investigating the prevalence of F. tularensis in the ticks of local animal farms in Kurdistan region since the farmers are normally in close contact with livestock. We used molecular methods for this purpose. A total of 412 tick and 126 blood samples were gathered from goat, sheep, and cow flocks. The existence of F. tularensis 16Sr RNA gene was examined in the samples using nested-PCR technique. Results: In the animal blood specimens, no F. tularensis was found. The incidence of F. tularensis was 1.7% (7 out of 412) in the tick samples, representing a very lower possibility of tuleremia infection. Moreover, the two subspecies of F. tularensis novicida and holarctica were identified based on the sequencing of pdpD and RD genes, respectively. The F. tularensis subsp. novicida was isolated from four species of ticks, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus annulatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Ornithodoros spp., whereas the F. tularensis subsp. holarctica was isolated from Haemaphysalis parva and Hyalomma dromedarii species of ticks. Conclusion: Although its prevalence is very low, the isolation of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica from the ticks of farm animals suggests possible transmission of Tularemia through tick bite in Kurdistan region of Iraq. Ref: IR-UU-AEC-3/22.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebin Rafaat Mohammed
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, West Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Enferadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, West Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Karzan R Sidiq
- Charmo Centre for Research, Training and Consultancy, Charmo University, Chamchamal, Iraq
| | - Saeedeh Sarani
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zabol University, Sistan and Balochistan, Iran
| | - Peyman Khademi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran
| | - Amin Jaydari
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran
| | - Avin Kawa Ahmed
- Sulaimani Veterinary Directorate, Chamchamal Veterinary Hospital, Sulaimani, Iraq
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9
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Esmaeili S, Latifian M, Mahmoudi A, Ghasemi A, Mohammadi A, Mordadi A, Ziapour SP, Naddaf SR, Mostafavi E. Molecular investigation of Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis infection in ticks in northern, western, and northwestern Iran. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289567. [PMID: 37590254 PMCID: PMC10434890 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tularemia and Q fever are endemic diseases in Iran; however, little information is available on the prevalence of the causative agents, Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis, in Iranian ticks. This study investigated C. burnetii and F. tularensis among hard ticks in this country. We collected ticks from livestock and other mammals in Guilan, Mazandaran, Golestan (northern Iran), Kurdistan (western Iran), and West Azerbaijan (northwestern Iran) provinces. Genomic DNA from collected ticks was extracted and screened for C. burnetii and F. tularensis using Real-time PCR. A total of 4,197 ticks (belonging to 12 different species) were collected, and Ixodes ricinus (46.4%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (25%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (19.1%) were the most collected species. Of 708 pooled tick samples, 11.3% and 7.20% were positive for C. burnetii and F. tularensis, respectively. The genus of Rhipicephalus had the highest (18.3%) C. burnetii infection among the collected tick pools (P<0.001). Furthermore, the most positive pools for F. tularensis belonged to Haemaphysalis spp. (44.4%). Kurdistan had the most significant percentage of C. burnetii-infected ticks (92.5%), and there was a meaningful relationship between the provinces and the infection (P< 0.001). The ticks from Golestan exhibited the highest F. tularensis infection rate (10. 9%), and the infection showed no significant relationship with the provinces (P = 0.19). Ticks collected from grasslands had a higher Coxiella burnetii infection rate than those collected from animals (39.4% vs. 7.9%; p<0.01). However, ticks collected from animal surfaces had a slightly higher rate of Francisella tularensis infection than those collected from grasslands (7.6% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.24). Here, we demonstrated the presence of both pathogens in the north (Guilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan provinces), the west (Kurdistan province), and the northwest (West Azerbaijan province) of Iran. The public health system should pay particular attention to tick bites in veterinary medicine and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saber Esmaeili
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, KabudarAhang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Latifian
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, KabudarAhang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Mahmoudi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ghasemi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, KabudarAhang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Research Center of Reference Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Mordadi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Payman Ziapour
- Department of Parasitology, Zoonoses, Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Amol, Mazandaran, Iran
| | | | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, KabudarAhang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Wormser VR, Wormser GP. Ulceroglandular Tularemia from the Bite of a Deerfly in Utah. Am J Med 2023; 136:768-769. [PMID: 37028693 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla
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11
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Zhao M, Zhai Y, Zai X, Mao Y, Hu E, Wei Z, Li Y, Li K, Liu Y, Xu J, Yu R, Chen W. Comparative evaluation of protective immunity against Francisella tularensis induced by subunit or adenovirus-vectored vaccines. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1195314. [PMID: 37305410 PMCID: PMC10248143 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1195314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a highly contagious disease caused by infection with Francisella tularensis (Ft), a pathogenic intracellular gram-negative bacterium that infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people, making it a public health concern. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent tularemia. However, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Ft vaccines thus far due to safety concerns. Herein, three membrane proteins of Ft, Tul4, OmpA, and FopA, and a molecular chaperone, DnaK, were identified as potential protective antigens using a multifactor protective antigen platform. Moreover, the recombinant DnaK, FopA, and Tul4 protein vaccines elicited a high level of IgG antibodies but did not protect against challenge. In contrast, protective immunity was elicited by a replication-defective human type 5 adenovirus (Ad5) encoding the Tul4, OmpA, FopA, and DnaK proteins (Ad5-Tul4, Ad5-OmpA, Ad5-FopA, and Ad5-DnaK) after a single immunization, and all Ad5-based vaccines stimulated a Th1-biased immune response. Moreover, intramuscular and intranasal vaccination with Ad5-Tul4 using the prime-boost strategy effectively eliminated Ft lung, spleen and liver colonization and provided nearly 80% protection against intranasal challenge with the Ft live vaccine strain (LVS). Only intramuscular, not intranasal vaccination, with Ad5-Tul4 protected mice from intraperitoneal challenge. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of protective immunity against Ft provided by subunit or adenovirus-vectored vaccines and suggests that mucosal vaccination with Ad5-Tul4 may yield desirable protective efficacy against mucosal infection, while intramuscular vaccination offers greater overall protection against intraperitoneal tularemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rui Yu
- *Correspondence: Rui Yu, ; Wei Chen,
| | - Wei Chen
- *Correspondence: Rui Yu, ; Wei Chen,
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12
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Papp M, Tóth AG, Valcz G, Makrai L, Nagy SÁ, Farkas R, Solymosi N. Antimicrobial resistance gene lack in tick-borne pathogenic bacteria. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8167. [PMID: 37210378 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35356-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne infections, including those of bacterial origin, are significant public health issues. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is one of the most pressing health challenges of our time, is driven by specific genetic determinants, primarily by the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of bacteria. In our work, we investigated the occurrence of ARGs in the genomes of tick-borne bacterial species that can cause human infections. For this purpose, we processed short/long reads of 1550 bacterial isolates of the genera Anaplasma (n = 20), Bartonella (n = 131), Borrelia (n = 311), Coxiella (n = 73), Ehrlichia (n = 13), Francisella (n = 959) and Rickettsia (n = 43) generated by second/third generation sequencing that have been freely accessible at the NCBI SRA repository. From Francisella tularensis, 98.9% of the samples contained the FTU-1 beta-lactamase gene. However, it is part of the F. tularensis representative genome as well. Furthermore, 16.3% of them contained additional ARGs. Only 2.2% of isolates from other genera (Bartonella: 2, Coxiella: 8, Ehrlichia: 1, Rickettsia: 2) contained any ARG. We found that the odds of ARG occurrence in Coxiella samples were significantly higher in isolates related to farm animals than from other sources. Our results describe a surprising lack of ARGs in these bacteria and suggest that Coxiella species in farm animal settings could play a role in the spread of AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Papp
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Gréta Tóth
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Gábor Valcz
- Translational Extracellular Vesicle Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network-Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
- Department of Image Analysis, 3DHISTECH Ltd., Budapest, 1141, Hungary
| | - László Makrai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1143, Hungary
| | - Sára Ágnes Nagy
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Norbert Solymosi
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary.
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
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Bishop A, Wang HH, Donaldson TG, Brockinton EE, Kothapalli E, Clark S, Vishwanath T, Canales T, Sreekumar K, Grant WE, Teel PD. Tularemia cases increase in the USA from 2011 through 2019. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 3:100116. [PMID: 36865594 PMCID: PMC9972391 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Tularemia is a rare but potentially serious bacterial zoonosis, which has been reported in the 47 contiguous states of the USA during 2001-2010. This report summarizes the passive surveillance data of tularemia cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2011 through 2019. There were 1984 cases reported in the USA during this period. The average national incidence was 0.07 cases per 100,000 person-years (PY), compared to 0.04 cases per 100,000 PY during 2001-2010. The highest statewide reported case 2011-2019 was in Arkansas (374 cases, 20.4% of total), followed by Missouri (13.1%), Oklahoma (11.9%), and Kansas (11.2%). Regarding race, ethnicity, and sex, tularemia cases were reported more frequently among white, non-Hispanic, and male patients. Cases were reported in all age groups; however, individuals 65 years-old and older exhibited the highest incidence. The seasonal distribution of cases generally paralleled the seasonality of tick activity and human outdoor activity, increasing during spring through mid-summer and decreasing through late summer and fall to winter lows. Improved surveillance and education of ticks and tick- and water-borne pathogens should play a key role in efforts to decrease the incidence of tularemia in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bishop
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Hsiao-Hsuan Wang
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA,Corresponding author.
| | - Taylor G. Donaldson
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Emily E. Brockinton
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Esha Kothapalli
- The Department of Public Health Studies, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Scott Clark
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tanvi Vishwanath
- Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tatyana Canales
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Krishnendu Sreekumar
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - William E. Grant
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Pete D. Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, USA
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Schaudinn C, Rydzewski K, Meister B, Grunow R, Heuner K. Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica wild-type is able to colonize natural aquatic ex vivo biofilms. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1113412. [PMID: 36860486 PMCID: PMC9969146 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1113412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are a matrix-associated lifestyle of microbial communities, often enabling survivability and persistence of such bacteria. The objective of this study was to investigate the survival of the wild-type strain A-271 of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica (Fth) in a natural aquatic ex vivo biofilm. To that purpose, we allowed Fth A-271 to produce its own biofilm on solid surfaces but also to colonize naturally formed biofilms from aquatic habitats, which were infected with Francisella in the laboratory. The survival rates of the bacteria in biofilms were compared to those of planktonic bacteria as a function of the employed culture condition. It could be shown by light- and electron microscopy that Fth is able to form a complex, matrix-associated biofilm. The biofilm form of Francisella showed longer cultivability on agar plates in natural water when compared to planktonic (free-living) bacteria. Be it as a part of the existing ex vivo biofilm or free-floating above as planktonic bacteria, more than 80% of Francisella were not only able to survive under these conditions for 28 days, but even managed to establish microcolonies and areas with their own exclusive biofilm architecture within the ex vivo biofilm. Here, we can demonstrate for the first time that a Francisella tularensis wild-type strain (Type B) is able to successfully colonize an aquatic multi-species ex vivo biofilm. It is worthwhile to speculate that Fth might become more persistent in the environment when it forms its own biofilm or integrates in an existing one. Multi-species biofilms have been shown to be more resistant against stress compared to single-species biofilms. This may have an important impact on the long-term survival of Francisella in aquatic habitats and infection cycles in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schaudinn
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy (ZBS 4), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Rydzewski
- Working Group: Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany,Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beate Meister
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland Grunow
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Heuner
- Working Group: Cellular Interactions of Bacterial Pathogens, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany,Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany,*Correspondence: Klaus Heuner, ✉
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Francisella and tularemia in western Asia, Iran: a systematic review. New Microbes New Infect 2023; 52:101092. [PMID: 36816490 PMCID: PMC9932182 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tularemia or rabbit fever is a transmissible disease from animals, rodents, and insects to human populations that is caused by Francisella tularensis. Epidemiological studies showed that tularemia is endemic throughout most different regions of the world. Recent evidence documented the transmission of the F. tularensis in a different part of Asia. Because there is no updated review information for tularemia in Iran, we performed this systematic review. In this study, we systematically explored biomedical databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of sciences) to identify epidemiology, reservoirs, and carriers of Francisella in animal and human clinical specimens from 2010 to 2020, either in English or in Persian. Different studies have shown the different frequencies of F. tularensis among human and animal resources in eighteen provinces of Iran. In total, 1242 human clinical specimens, 1565 animal samples, and 355 environmental water samples were investigated to find F. tularensis in different provinces of Iran. According to the collected documents, 94 human clinical samples, 69 water samples, and 26 animal specimens were introduced as positive samples for the F. tularensis. According to studies, thirteen species of rodent and hare presented as an inter-epizootic reservoir. Only one species of tick (D. marginatus) was introduced as a vector for Francisella in Iran. According to these results, it is essential for exclusive attention to the prevalence of F. tularensis in different provinces of Iran. Furthermore, special planning should be done for prevention, control of the outbreak, and proper treatment of the tularemia.
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Lindgren H, Eklund J, Eneslätt K, Sjöstedt A. Kinetics of the serological response up to one year after tularemia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1072703. [PMID: 36683705 PMCID: PMC9853284 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1072703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Serological analysis is the predominant method used to diagnose tularemia, a zoonotic disease caused by the highly virulent bacterium F. tularensis. We determined F. tularensis-specific IgM and IgG antibody titers by an LPS-based ELISA assay on five occasions one to twelve months after onset of ulceroglandular tularemia in 19 individuals. Peak IgM antibody titers were observed at the one-month time point and peak IgG antibody titers at the two-month time point. Both IgG and IgM antibody levels declined linearly thereafter with rather similar kinetics. Compared to the average one-month antibody titers, average IgG titers were not significantly lower before the 12-month time point and IgM titers before the 4-month time point. All, but one average titer, were significantly increased compared to the cut-off of the assay. Average IgG and IgM titers were significantly lower for the group = 69 years old compared to the group < 69 years. Collectively, the data demonstrate a persistence of F. tularensis-specific IgM and IgG antibody titers for at least 12 months after ulceroglandular tularemia. Thus, low, but significantly elevated F. tularensis-specific antibody titers are of limited diagnostic value since they are not indicative of ongoing tularemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Lindgren
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Eklund
- Ljusdal-Ramsjö Primary Care Centre, Ljusdal, Sweden
| | - Kjell Eneslätt
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Sjöstedt
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden,*Correspondence: Anders Sjöstedt,
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Mlynek KD, Bozue JA. Why vary what's working? Phase variation and biofilm formation in Francisella tularensis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1076694. [PMID: 36560950 PMCID: PMC9763628 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1076694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The notoriety of high-consequence human pathogens has increased in recent years and, rightfully, research efforts have focused on understanding host-pathogen interactions. Francisella tularensis has been detected in an impressively broad range of vertebrate hosts as well as numerous arthropod vectors and single-celled organisms. Two clinically important subspecies, F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (Type A) and F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (Type B), are responsible for the majority of tularemia cases in humans. The success of this bacterium in mammalian hosts can be at least partly attributed to a unique LPS molecule that allows the bacterium to avoid detection by the host immune system. Curiously, phase variation of the O-antigen incorporated into LPS has been documented in these subspecies of F. tularensis, and these variants often display some level of attenuation in infection models. While the role of phase variation in F. tularensis biology is unclear, it has been suggested that this phenomenon can aid in environmental survival and persistence. Biofilms have been established as the predominant lifestyle of many bacteria in the environment, though, it was previously thought that Type A and B isolates of F. tularensis typically form poor biofilms. Recent studies question this ideology as it was shown that alteration of the O-antigen allows robust biofilm formation in both Type A and B isolates. This review aims to explore the link between phase variation of the O-antigen, biofilm formation, and environmental persistence with an emphasis on clinically relevant subspecies and how understanding these poorly studied mechanisms could lead to new medical countermeasures to combat tularemia.
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Atomic Structure of IglD Demonstrates Its Role as a Component of the Baseplate Complex of the Francisella Type VI Secretion System. mBio 2022; 13:e0127722. [PMID: 36036641 PMCID: PMC9600919 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01277-22] [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: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis, a Tier 1 select agent of bioterrorism, contains a type VI secretion system (T6SS) encoded within the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI), which is critical for its pathogenesis. Among the 18 proteins encoded by FPI is IglD, which is essential to Francisella’s intracellular growth and virulence, but neither its location within T6SS nor its functional role has been established. Here, we present the cryoEM structure of IglD from Francisella novicida and show that the Francisella IglD forms a homotrimer that is structurally homologous to the T6SS baseplate protein TssK in Escherichia coli. Each IglD monomer consists of an N-terminal β-sandwich domain, a 4-helix bundle domain, and a flexible C-terminal domain. While the overall folds of IglD and TssK are similar, the two structures differ in three aspects: the relative orientation between their β-sandwich and the 4-helix bundle domains; two insertion loops present in TssK’s β-sandwich domain; and, consequently, a lack of subunit-subunit interaction between insertion loops in the IglD trimer. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that IglD is genetically remote from the TssK orthologs in other T6SSs. While the other components of the Francisella baseplate are unknown, we conducted pulldown assays showing IglJ interacts with IglD and IglH, pointing to a model wherein IglD, IglH, and IglJ form the baseplate of the Francisella T6SS. Alanine substitution mutagenesis further established that IglD’s hydrophobic pocket in the N-terminal β-sandwich domain interacts with two loops of IglJ, reminiscent of the TssK-TssG interaction. These results form a framework for understanding the hitherto unexplored Francisella T6SS baseplate.
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Borgschulte HS, Jacob D, Zeeh J, Scholz HC, Heuner K. Ulceroglandular form of tularemia after squirrel bite: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2022; 16:309. [PMID: 35974355 PMCID: PMC9381146 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-022-03510-8] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The diagnosis of tularemia is not often considered in Germany as the disease is still rare in this country. Nonetheless, Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, can infect numerous animal species and should, therefore, not be neglected as a dangerous pathogen. Tularemia can lead to massively swollen lymph nodes and might even be fatal without antibiotic treatment. To our knowledge, the case described here is the first report of the disease caused by a squirrel bite in Germany. Case presentation A 59-year-old German woman with a past medical history of hypothyroidism and cutaneous lupus erythematosus presented at the emergency room at St. Katharinen Hospital with ongoing symptoms and a swollen right elbow persisting despite antibiotic therapy with cefuroxime for 7 days after she had been bitten (right hand) by a wild squirrel (Eurasian red squirrel). After another 7 days of therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam, laboratory analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the suspected diagnosis of tularemia on day 14. After starting the recommended antibiotic treatment with ciprofloxacin, the patient recovered rapidly. Conclusion This is the first report of a case of tularemia caused by a squirrel bite in Germany. A naturally infected squirrel has recently been reported in Switzerland for the first time. The number of human cases of tularemia has been increasing over the last years and, therefore, tularemia should be taken into consideration as a diagnosis, especially in a patient bitten by an animal who also presents with headache, increasing pain, lymphadenitis, and fever, as well as impaired wound healing. The pathogen can easily be identified by a specific real-time PCR assay of wound swabs and/or by antibody detection, for example by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), if the incident dates back longer than 2 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Sophia Borgschulte
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, St. Katharinen-Hospital, Kapellenstr. 1-5, 50226, Frechen, Germany
| | - Daniela Jacob
- Division of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Zeeh
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, St. Katharinen-Hospital, Kapellenstr. 1-5, 50226, Frechen, Germany
| | - Holger C Scholz
- Division of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Heuner
- Division of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms (ZBS 2), Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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Troha K, Božanić Urbančič N, Korva M, Avšič-Županc T, Battelino S, Vozel D. Vector-Borne Tularemia: A Re-Emerging Cause of Cervical Lymphadenopathy. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7080189. [PMID: 36006281 PMCID: PMC9412492 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7080189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by the highly invasive bacterium Francisella tularensis. It is transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals or by vectors, such as ticks, mosquitos, and flies. Even though it is well-known as a tick-borne disease, it is usually not immediately recognised after a tick bite. In Slovenia, tularemia is rare, with 1–3 cases reported annually; however, the incidence seems to be increasing. Ulceroglandular tularemia is one of its most common forms, with cervical colliquative lymphadenopathy as a frequent manifestation. The diagnosis of tularemia largely relies on epidemiological information, clinical examination, imaging, and molecular studies. Physicians should consider this disease a differential diagnosis for a neck mass, especially after a tick bite, as its management significantly differs from that of other causes. Tularemia-associated lymphadenitis is treated with antibiotics and surgical drainage of the colliquated lymph nodes. Additionally, tularemia should be noted for its potential use in bioterrorism on behalf of the causative agents’ low infectious dose, possible aerosol formation, no effective vaccine at disposal, and the ability to produce severe disease. This article reviews the recent literature on tularemia and presents a case of an adult male with tick-borne cervical ulceroglandular tularemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Troha
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Božanić Urbančič
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miša Korva
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tatjana Avšič-Županc
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Saba Battelino
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Domen Vozel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
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Xu JH, Kang L, Yuan B, Feng ZH, Li SQ, Wang J, Wang YR, Xin WW, Gao S, Li JX, Sun YS, Wang JL, Yuan Y. Development and evaluation of a rapid RPA/CRISPR-based detection of Francisella tularensis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:901520. [PMID: 36033876 PMCID: PMC9399789 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.901520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a dangerous pathogen that causes an extremely contagious zoonosis in humans named tularemia. Given its low-dose morbidity, the potential to be fatal, and aerosol spread, it is regarded as a severe threat to public health. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified it as a category A potential agent for bioterrorism and a Tier 1 Select Agent. Herein, we combined recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with CRISPR/Cas12a system to select the F. tularensis target gene (TUL4), creating a two-pronged rapid and ultrasensitive diagnostic method for detecting F. tularensis. The real-time RPA (RT-RPA) assay detected F. tularensis within 10 min at a sensitivity of 5 copies/reaction, F. tularensis genomic DNA of 5 fg, and F. tularensis of 2 × 102 CFU/ml; the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay detects F. tularensis within 40 min at a sensitivity of 0.5 copies/reaction, F. tularensis genomic DNA of 1 fg, and F. tularensis of 2 CFU/ml. Furthermore, the evaluation of specificity showed that both assays were highly specific to F. tularensis. More importantly, in a test of prepared simulated blood and sewage samples, the RT-RPA assay results were consistent with RT-PCR assay results, and the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay could detect a minute amount of F. tularensis genomic DNA (2.5 fg). There was no nonspecific detection with blood samples and sewage samples, giving the tests a high practical application value. For example, in on-site and epidemic areas, the RT-RPA was used for rapid screening and the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay was used for more accurate diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Hao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lin Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Bing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Han Feng
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, The No. 96609 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shi-Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Ru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Wen-Wen Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Shan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Song Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yan-Song Sun
| | - Jing-Lin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Jing-Lin Wang
| | - Yuan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
- Yuan Yuan
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22
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Nagaratnam N, Martin-Garcia JM, Yang JH, Goode MR, Ketawala G, Craciunescu FM, Zook JD, Sonowal M, Williams D, Grant TD, Fromme R, Hansen DT, Fromme P. Structural and biophysical properties of FopA, a major outer membrane protein of Francisella tularensis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267370. [PMID: 35913965 PMCID: PMC9342783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267370] [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: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is an extremely infectious pathogen and a category A bioterrorism agent. It causes the highly contagious zoonosis, Tularemia. Currently, FDA approved vaccines against tularemia are unavailable. F. tularensis outer membrane protein A (FopA) is a well-studied virulence determinant and protective antigen against tularemia. It is a major outer membrane protein (Omp) of F. tularensis. However, FopA-based therapeutic intervention is hindered due to lack of complete structural information for membrane localized mature FopA. In our study, we established recombinant expression, monodisperse purification, crystallization and X-ray diffraction (~6.5 Å) of membrane localized mature FopA. Further, we performed bioinformatics and biophysical experiments to unveil its structural organization in the outer membrane. FopA consists of 393 amino acids and has less than 40% sequence identity to known bacterial Omps. Using comprehensive sequence alignments and structure predictions together with existing partial structural information, we propose a two-domain organization for FopA. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and heat modifiability assay confirmed FopA has a β-barrel domain consistent with alphafold2’s prediction of an eight stranded β-barrel at the N-terminus. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed FopA purified in detergent micelles is predominantly dimeric. Molecular density derived from SAXS at 31 Å shows putative dimeric N-terminal β-barrels surrounded by detergent corona and connected to C-terminal domains via flexible linker. Disorder analysis predicts N- and C-terminal domains are interspersed by a long intrinsically disordered region and alphafold2 predicts this region to be largely unstructured. Taken together, we propose a dimeric, two-domain organization of FopA in the outer membrane: the N-terminal β-barrel is membrane embedded, provides dimerization interface and tethers to membrane extrinsic C-terminal domain via long flexible linker. Structure determination of membrane localized mature FopA is essential to understand its role in pathogenesis and develop anti-tularemia therapeutics. Our results pave the way towards it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirupa Nagaratnam
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jose M. Martin-Garcia
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jay-How Yang
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Matthew R. Goode
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Gihan Ketawala
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Felicia M. Craciunescu
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - James D. Zook
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Manashi Sonowal
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Dewight Williams
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- Eyring Materials Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Thomas D. Grant
- Department of Structural Biology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Raimund Fromme
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Debra T. Hansen
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- Center for Innovations in Medicine, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Petra Fromme
- Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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23
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Herrera-Mares A, Guzmán-Cornejo C, Ulloa-García A, Córdoba-Aguilar A, Silva-de la Fuente MC, Suzán G. Mites, rodents, and pathogens: A global review for a multi-species interaction in disease ecology. Acta Trop 2022; 232:106509. [PMID: 35569525 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
More than ever, there is a need to understand how pathogens, vectors and hosts occur temporally and spatially to predict the occurrence of zoonotic outbreaks. Related to this, mites of the Mesostigmata and Trombidiformes orders have the potential to transmit several diseases, yet their information of occurrence, distribution and zoonotic accompanying agents have not been systematically organized. We conducted a systematic review using a combination of words through the Sysrev platform, as well as literature searches in specialised databases to identify global patterns of infections, trends in mite-rodent-pathogen research and existing knowledge gaps. The inclusion criterion was the detection of pathogens in mites, either by molecular or serological techniques or by direct observation under the microscope, which rendered 125 papers. Most works have been carried out in Asia, mainly around the transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Interestingly, co-infections, i.e., the presence of more than one pathogen in an individual, are common in other Acari groups such as ticks. Moreover, this is not the case for Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata as only 4.7 percent of the articles reviewed detected more than one pathogen in these mites. It is important to include a multi-host, multi-vector and multi-pathogen approaches to understand complex systems in disease ecology. A synergy between mite taxonomists, physicians and veterinarians, decision-makers, governmental organisations, and society is needed to address the emergence of mite-borne new or neglected diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Herrera-Mares
- Departamento de Etología, Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades y Una Salud, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Carmen Guzmán-Cornejo
- Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Laboratorio de Acarología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Armando Ulloa-García
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Campus IV, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad, Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Gerardo Suzán
- Departamento de Etología, Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades y Una Salud, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
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24
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Sohrabi H, Majidi MR, Fakhraei M, Jahanban-Esfahlan A, Hejazi M, Oroojalian F, Baradaran B, Tohidast M, Guardia MDL, Mokhtarzadeh A. Lateral flow assays (LFA) for detection of pathogenic bacteria: A small point-of-care platform for diagnosis of human infectious diseases. Talanta 2022; 243:123330. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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25
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Draft Genome Sequence of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica Strain H0001, Isolated from a Tularemia Patient in the Republic of Korea. Microbiol Resour Announc 2022; 11:e0071921. [PMID: 35084225 PMCID: PMC8800444 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00719-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is the etiological agent of the zoonosis tularemia. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica H0001, which was isolated from a tularemia patient in the Republic of Korea.
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26
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Mlynek KD, Lopez CT, Fetterer DP, Williams JA, Bozue JA. Phase Variation of LPS and Capsule Is Responsible for Stochastic Biofilm Formation in Francisella tularensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:808550. [PMID: 35096655 PMCID: PMC8795689 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.808550] [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: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms have been established as an important lifestyle for bacteria in nature as these structured communities often enable survivability and persistence in a multitude of environments. Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular Gram-negative bacterium found throughout much of the northern hemisphere. However, biofilm formation remains understudied and poorly understood in F. tularensis as non-substantial biofilms are typically observed in vitro by the clinically relevant subspecies F. tularensis subsp. tularensis and F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (Type A and B, respectively). Herein, we report conditions under which robust biofilm development was observed in a stochastic, but reproducible manner in Type A and B isolates. The frequency at which biofilm was observed increased temporally and appeared switch-like as progeny from the initial biofilm quickly formed biofilm in a predictable manner regardless of time or propagation with fresh media. The Type B isolates used for this study were found to more readily switch on biofilm formation than Type A isolates. Additionally, pH was found to function as an environmental checkpoint for biofilm initiation independently of the heritable cellular switch. Multiple colony morphologies were observed in biofilm positive cultures leading to the identification of a particular subset of grey variants that constitutively produce biofilm. Further, we found that constitutive biofilm forming isolates delay the onset of a viable non-culturable state. In this study, we demonstrate that a robust biofilm can be developed by clinically relevant F. tularensis isolates, provide a mechanism for biofilm initiation and examine the potential role of biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D. Mlynek
- Bacteriology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Christopher T. Lopez
- Bacteriology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - David P. Fetterer
- Division of Biostatistics, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Janice A. Williams
- Pathology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Joel A. Bozue
- Bacteriology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Frederick, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Joel A. Bozue,
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27
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Peta V, Tantely LM, Potts R, Girod R, Pietri JE. A Francisella tularensis-Like Bacterium in Tropical Bed Bugs from Madagascar. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:58-61. [PMID: 34981990 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0079] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Francisella includes several highly virulent human pathogens and some tick endosymbionts. Francisella infections are acquired by humans through contact with vertebrate animal reservoirs or contaminated water or dust. The species Francisella tularensis can also be transmitted by arthropods including ticks, mosquitoes, and flies. For the first time, we describe the molecular detection of an F. tularensis-like bacterium in bed bugs from samples collected in rural Madagascar. This finding suggests a potential involvement of bed bugs in the ecology of Francisella. The role of bed bugs as possible hosts, reservoirs, or vectors of Francisella spp. should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Peta
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
| | - Luciano M Tantely
- Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Rashaun Potts
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
| | - Romain Girod
- Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jose E Pietri
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
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28
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Insights from experience in the treatment of tick-borne bacterial coinfections with tick-borne encephalitis. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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29
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PARASITES OF AN ENDANGERED HARVEST MOUSE (REITHRODONTOMYS RAVIVENTRIS HALICOETES) IN A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MARSH. J Wildl Dis 2021; 58:122-136. [PMID: 34814173 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Disease may limit recovery of endangered species. We surveyed parasites in the federally endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (SMHM; Reithrodontomys raviventris halicoetes) and sympatric rodents in Suisun Marsh (Solano County, California, USA) from April 2018 through March 2019. We investigated individual SMHM risk factors (age, sex, reproductive status, and body condition) for infection and relationships among the estimated parasite prevalence and season and habitat management (natural tidal habitats versus diked, nontidal habitats). We captured 625 individual rodents, including 439 SMHM, and tested these for infection with Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis, Leptospira spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii by PCR. Over one-third (34.6%, confidence interval [CI], 30.2%-39.3%) of SMHM tested positive for at least one parasite. Four percent (CI, 2.8%-6.3%) of SMHM were infected with F. tularensis holarctica, a virulent bacterium that causes mortality in rodents shortly after infection. Additionally, we detected three species of Bartonella (B. henselae, B. rochalimae, B. vinsonii arupensis), Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Ballum, Cryptosporidium sp. (deer mouse [Peromyscus maniculatus] genotype), Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia intestinalis, and an unidentified Borrelia sp. The only parasite that was associated with habitat management was Bartonella spp., which was more prevalent in diked than tidal areas. Male SMHM were more likely to be parasitized than females, and individuals in modestly poor body condition were most likely to be infected with Bartonella spp. The estimated sample prevalence of multiple parasites varied by season and by host species. This is the first major parasite assessment in a long-endangered species, and these results will assist managers to incorporate parasitic disease into recovery planning and provide a critical baseline for future investigations, including how climatically induced habitat and species composition changes could alter disease dynamics.
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Herrero-Cófreces S, Mougeot F, Lambin X, Luque-Larena JJ. Linking Zoonosis Emergence to Farmland Invasion by Fluctuating Herbivores: Common Vole Populations and Tularemia Outbreaks in NW Spain. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:698454. [PMID: 34458354 PMCID: PMC8397442 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion and intensification of agriculture are driving profound changes in ecosystems worldwide, favoring the (re)emergence of many human infectious diseases. Muroid rodents are a key host group for zoonotic infectious pathogens and frequently invade farming environments, promoting disease transmission and spillover. Understanding the role that fluctuating populations of farm dwelling rodents play in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases is paramount to improve prevention schemes. Here, we review a decade of research on the colonization of farming environments in NW Spain by common voles (Microtus arvalis) and its public health impacts, specifically periodic tularemia outbreaks in humans. The spread of this colonizing rodent was analogous to an invasion process and was putatively triggered by the transformation and irrigation of agricultural habitats that created a novel terrestrial-aquatic interface. This irruptive rodent host is an effective amplifier for the Francisella tularensis bacterium during population outbreaks, and human tularemia episodes are tightly linked in time and space to periodic (cyclic) variations in vole abundance. Beyond the information accumulated to date, several key knowledge gaps about this pathogen-rodent epidemiological link remain unaddressed, namely (i) did colonizing vole introduce or amplified pre-existing F. tularensis? (ii) which features of the “Francisella—Microtus” relationship are crucial for the epidemiology of tularemia? (iii) how virulent and persistent F. tularensis infection is for voles under natural conditions? and (iv) where does the bacterium persist during inter-epizootics? Future research should focus on more integrated, community-based approaches in order to understand the details and dynamics of disease circulation in ecosystems colonized by highly fluctuating hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Herrero-Cófreces
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
| | - François Mougeot
- Grupo de Gestión de Recursos Cinegéticos y Fauna Silvestre, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Juan José Luque-Larena
- Dpto. Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
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31
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Eisen L, Stafford KC. Barriers to Effective Tick Management and Tick-Bite Prevention in the United States (Acari: Ixodidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1588-1600. [PMID: 32372075 PMCID: PMC8056842 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the United States. Development of tick control tools have focused primarily on the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say. Application of acaricides or entomopathogenic fungal agents to kill host-seeking ticks or ticks on rodents can suppress I. scapularis abundance in residential landscapes, but evidence is lacking for impact on human tick bites or tick-borne disease. Similar studies remain limited for the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.). Other knowledge gaps include how well homeowners and pest control companies perform in the broadcast application of tick-killing products, relative to high efficacy reported in research studies, and the tick-killing potential of natural product formulations exempt from Environmental Protection Agency registration. Area-wide control based on preventing ticks from feeding on their main reproductive host, the white-tailed deer, can suppress populations of both I. scapularis and A. americanum. Some studies also suggest an impact on Lyme disease cases, but this needs to be further validated in larger-scale intervention studies. The effectiveness, scale, cost, and implementation of various tick management strategies are important considerations in efforts to reduce human tick encounters and tick-borne disease. Additional barriers include weak incentives for industry and academia to develop, test, and register new tick and pathogen control technologies, including vaccines targeting humans, tick reproductive hosts, or wildlife pathogen reservoirs. Solutions will need to be 'two-pronged': improving the tick and pathogen control toolbox and strengthening the public health workforce engaging in tick control at local and state levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521
- Corresponding author,
| | - Kirby C. Stafford
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06504
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Tokarz R, Lipkin WI. Discovery and Surveillance of Tick-Borne Pathogens. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1525-1535. [PMID: 33313662 PMCID: PMC8285023 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Within the past 30 yr molecular assays have largely supplanted classical methods for detection of tick-borne agents. Enhancements provided by molecular assays, including speed, throughput, sensitivity, and specificity, have resulted in a rapid increase in the number of newly characterized tick-borne agents. The use of unbiased high throughput sequencing has enabled the prompt identification of new pathogens and the examination of tick microbiomes. These efforts have led to the identification of hundreds of new tick-borne agents in the last decade alone. However, little is currently known about the majority of these agents beyond their phylogenetic classification. Our article outlines the primary methods involved in tick-borne agent discovery and the current status of our understanding of tick-borne agent diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Tokarz
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | - W Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
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Tick extracellular vesicles enable arthropod feeding and promote distinct outcomes of bacterial infection. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3696. [PMID: 34140472 PMCID: PMC8211691 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23900-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are thought to facilitate pathogen transmission from arthropods to humans and other animals. Here, we reveal that pathogen spreading from arthropods to the mammalian host is multifaceted. Extracellular vesicles from Ixodes scapularis enable tick feeding and promote infection of the mildly virulent rickettsial agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum through the SNARE proteins Vamp33 and Synaptobrevin 2 and dendritic epidermal T cells. However, extracellular vesicles from the tick Dermacentor andersoni mitigate microbial spreading caused by the lethal pathogen Francisella tularensis. Collectively, we establish that tick extracellular vesicles foster distinct outcomes of bacterial infection and assist in vector feeding by acting on skin immunity. Thus, the biology of arthropods should be taken into consideration when developing strategies to control vector-borne diseases.
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Type VI Secretion System and Its Effectors PdpC, PdpD, and OpiA Contribute to Francisella Virulence in Galleria mellonella Larvae. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0057920. [PMID: 33875476 PMCID: PMC8208517 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00579-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis causes the deadly zoonotic disease tularemia in humans and is able to infect a broad range of organisms including arthropods, which are thought to play a major role in Francisella transmission. However, while mammalian in vitro and in vivo infection models are widely used to investigate Francisella pathogenicity, a detailed characterization of the major Francisella virulence factor, a noncanonical type VI secretion system (T6SS), in an arthropod in vivo infection model is missing. Here, we use Galleria mellonella larvae to analyze the role of the Francisella T6SS and its corresponding effectors in F. tularensis subsp. novicida virulence. We report that G. mellonella larvae killing depends on the functional T6SS and infectious dose. In contrast to other mammalian in vivo infection models, even one of the T6SS effectors PdpC, PdpD, or OpiA is sufficient to kill G. mellonella larvae, while sheath recycling by ClpB is dispensable. We further demonstrate that treatment by polyethylene glycol (PEG) activates Francisella T6SS in liquid culture and that this is independent of the response regulator PmrA. PEG-activated IglC secretion is dependent on T6SS structural component PdpB but independent of putative effectors PdpC, PdpD, AnmK, OpiB1, OpiB2, and OpiB3. The results of larvae infection and secretion assay suggest that AnmK, a putative T6SS component with unknown function, interferes with OpiA-mediated toxicity but not with general T6SS activity. We establish that the easy-to-use G. mellonella larvae infection model provides new insights into the function of T6SS and pathogenesis of Francisella.
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Shevtsov V, Kairzhanova A, Shevtsov A, Shustov A, Kalendar R, Abdrakhmanov S, Lukhnova L, Izbanova U, Ramankulov Y, Vergnaud G. Genetic diversity of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in Kazakhstan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009419. [PMID: 33999916 PMCID: PMC8158875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a highly dangerous zoonotic infection due to the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Low genetic diversity promoted the use of polymorphic tandem repeats (MLVA) as first-line assay for genetic description. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is becoming increasingly accessible, opening the perspective of a time when WGS might become the universal genotyping assay. The main goal of this study was to describe F. tularensis strains circulating in Kazakhstan based on WGS data and develop a MLVA assay compatible with in vitro and in silico analysis. In vitro MLVA genotyping and WGS were performed for the vaccine strain and for 38 strains isolated in Kazakhstan from natural water bodies, ticks, rodents, carnivores, and from one migratory bird, an Isabellina wheatear captured in a rodent burrow. The two genotyping approaches were congruent and allowed to attribute all strains to two F. tularensis holarctica lineages, B.4 and B.12. The seven tandem repeats polymorphic in the investigated strain collection could be typed in a single multiplex PCR assay. Identical MLVA genotypes were produced by in vitro and in silico analysis, demonstrating full compatibility between the two approaches. The strains from Kazakhstan were compared to all publicly available WGS data of worldwide origin by whole genome SNP (wgSNP) analysis. Genotypes differing at a single SNP position were collected within a time interval of more than fifty years, from locations separated from each other by more than one thousand kilometers, supporting a role for migratory birds in the worldwide spread of the bacteria. Genotyping of Francisella tularensis has become a routine practice in epidemiology. Despite rapidly accumulating knowledge, the phylogeography of the pathogen is still poorly understood and discussions about geographic and temporal origins continue. One important reason is the poor characterization of the pathogen in many tularemia-endemic countries. This article describes the genetic diversity of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in Kazakhstan using tandem repeat polymorphisms as well as whole genome sequencing. Thirty-nine strains were analyzed and two lineages were identified, namely B.4 and B.12. The study demonstrates a wider distribution of genotype B.4 in Asia, and identified a more basal branching point in this subclade. The obtained data support the Asian origin hypothesis for F. tularensis. The finding of identical genotypes in strains separated in time by decades and a thousand-kilometers geographic distance, confirms the ability of the bacteria for long-term preservation and fast long distances spread. The isolation of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica from the bird species Isabellina wheatear allows speculating about a major contribution of birds to the phylogeography of the pathogen. A genotyping protocol was developed utilizing seven polymorphic tandem repeats, two of which were identified within the framework of this work. The in vitro and in silico results are identical when using sequencing reads of 300 base-pairs or more.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alma Kairzhanova
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Alexandr Shevtsov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- * E-mail: (AS); (GV)
| | | | | | | | - Larissa Lukhnova
- National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections named by Masgut Aykimbayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Uinkul Izbanova
- National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections named by Masgut Aykimbayev, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Yerlan Ramankulov
- National Center for Biotechnology, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
- School of Science and Technology Nazarbayev University, Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Gilles Vergnaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- * E-mail: (AS); (GV)
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The Important Role of Metal Ions for Survival of Francisella in Water within Amoeba Environment. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1155/2021/6673642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium that resists harsh environments. Several outbreaks of tularemia are linked to the consumption and contact with spring water. The number of F. tularensis in some waters is high, while in others, this bacterium does not survive. Except organic compounds, metals could be important for the survival of F. tularensis in water. Some Francisella strains showed the association with amoeba, which may act as the environmental reservoir. This study was aimed at following the role of metal ions and/or amoeba in the existence and replication of F. novicida in spring waters by growth kinetics, acquisition of metals, and ultrastructural analyses of bacteria. The bacteria showed a longer survival in water with higher initial concentrations of Mn and Zn. Although Mn and Zn were necessary for the survival of F. novicida, the results also showed that the bacterium does not grow in water with high levels of Zn. In contrast, high levels of Mn did not have such a negative effect on the survival of this bacterium in water. In addition, while F. novicida benefits presence of amoeba in spring water, the number of amoebae is decreasing in a coculture model with F. novicida.
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Farooq I, Moriarty TJ. The Impact of Tick-Borne Diseases on the Bone. Microorganisms 2021; 9:663. [PMID: 33806785 PMCID: PMC8005031 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne infectious diseases can affect many tissues and organs including bone, one of the most multifunctional structures in the human body. There is a scarcity of data regarding the impact of tick-borne pathogens on bone. The aim of this review was to survey existing research literature on this topic. The search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. From our search, we were able to find evidence of eight tick-borne diseases (Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Lyme disease, Bourbon virus disease, Colorado tick fever disease, Tick-borne encephalitis, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever) affecting the bone. Pathological bone effects most commonly associated with tick-borne infections were disruption of bone marrow function and bone loss. Most research to date on the effects of tick-borne pathogen infections on bone has been quite preliminary. Further investigation of this topic is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Farooq
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
| | - Tara J. Moriarty
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
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38
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Yeni DK, Büyük F, Ashraf A, Shah MSUD. Tularemia: a re-emerging tick-borne infectious disease. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2021; 66:1-14. [PMID: 32989563 PMCID: PMC7521936 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-020-00827-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Tularemia is a bacterial disease of humans, wild, and domestic animals. Francisella tularensis, which is a Gram-negative coccobacillus-shaped bacterium, is the causative agent of tularemia. Recently, an increase in the number of human tularemia cases has been noticed in several countries around the world. It has been reported mostly from North America, several Scandinavian countries, and certain Asian countries. The disease spreads through vectors such as mosquitoes, horseflies, deer flies, and ticks. Humans can acquire the disease through direct contact of sick animals, consumption of infected animals, drinking or direct contact of contaminated water, and inhalation of bacteria-loaded aerosols. Low infectious dose, aerosol route of infection, and its ability to induce fatal disease make it a potential agent of biological warfare. Tularemia leads to several clinical forms, such as glandular, ulceroglandular, oculoglandular, oropharyngeal, respiratory, and typhoidal forms. The disease is diagnosed through the use of culture, serology, or molecular methods. Quinolones, tetracyclines, or aminoglycosides are frequently used in the treatment of tularemia. No licensed vaccine is available in the prophylaxis of tularemia and this is need of the time and high-priority research area. This review mostly focuses on general features, importance, current status, and preventive measures of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Karataş Yeni
- Veterinary Control Central Research Institute, Bacterial Disease Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Fatih Büyük
- Department of Microbiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Kafkas, Kars, Turkey.
| | - Asma Ashraf
- Department of Zoology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Essbauer S, Baumann K, Schlegel M, Faulde MK, Lewitzki J, Sauer SC, Frangoulidis D, Riehm JM, Dobler G, Teifke JP, Meyer H, Ulrich RG. Small Mammals as Reservoir for Zoonotic Agents in Afghanistan. Mil Med 2021; 187:e189-e196. [PMID: 33462624 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rodents and other small mammals can serve as reservoirs for a large number of zoonotic pathogens. A higher risk of infection with rodent-borne pathogens exists for humans with direct contact to rodents and/or their excretions, e.g., soldiers in operation areas. To date, little is known about endemic human pathogenic disease agents that are naturally associated with small mammals in Afghanistan. The aim of this study was to screen abundant rodents and insectivores collected from 2009 to 2012 in four field camps of the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in Northern Afghanistan for the presence of different pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS Isolated nucleic acids from ear pinna were screened by real-time PCR for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae and from liver samples for Francisella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Brucella spp., Yersinia pestis, and poxvirus. Chest cavity lavage (CCL) samples were tested for antibodies against SFG and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae, as well as against flaviviruses using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS Rickettsial DNA was detected in 7/750 (1%) ear pinna samples with one being identified as Rickettsia conorii. Antibodies against SFG rickettsiae were detected in 15.3% (n = 67/439) of the small mammals; positive samples were only from house mice (Mus musculus). Antibodies against TG rickettsiae were found in 8.2% (n = 36/439) of the samples, with 35 from house mice and one from gray dwarf hamster (Cricetulus migratorius). Flavivirus-reactive antibodies were detected in 2.3% (n = 10/439) of the investigated CCL samples; again positive samples were exclusively identified in house mice. All 199 investigated liver-derived DNA preparations were negative in the Francisella spp., C. burnetii, Brucella spp., Y. pestis, and poxvirus-specific PCRs. CONCLUSIONS Further investigations will have to prove the potential value of rodents in army camps as sentinel animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Essbauer
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich 80937, Germany
| | - Kathrin Baumann
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich 80937, Germany.,Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald 17493, Germany
| | - Mathias Schlegel
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald 17493, Germany.,Seramun diagnostics GmbH, Heidesee 15754, Germany
| | - Michael K Faulde
- IUD II 5, Bundesministerium für Verteidigung (Federal Ministry of Defense), Bonn 53123, Germany
| | - Jens Lewitzki
- Landratsamt Weilheim-Schongau Veterinäramt, Weilheim in Oberbayern 82362, Germany
| | - Sabine C Sauer
- Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Military Medical Sciences and Capability Development Directorate, München 80939, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Frangoulidis
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich 80937, Germany.,Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters VI-2, Medical Intelligence & Information (MI2), Munich 80637, Germany
| | - J M Riehm
- Department of Veterinary Bacteriology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim 85764, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich 80937, Germany
| | - Jens P Teifke
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald 17493, Germany
| | - Hermann Meyer
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich 80937, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald 17493, Germany
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Springer A, Glass A, Probst J, Strube C. Tick-borne zoonoses and commonly used diagnostic methods in human and veterinary medicine. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4075-4090. [PMID: 33459849 PMCID: PMC8599405 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07033-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Around the world, human health and animal health are closely linked in terms of the One Health concept by ticks acting as vectors for zoonotic pathogens. Animals do not only maintain tick cycles but can either be clinically affected by the same tick-borne pathogens as humans and/or play a role as reservoirs or sentinel pathogen hosts. However, the relevance of different tick-borne diseases (TBDs) may vary in human vs. veterinary medicine, which is consequently reflected by the availability of human vs. veterinary diagnostic tests. Yet, as TBDs gain importance in both fields and rare zoonotic pathogens, such as Babesia spp., are increasingly identified as causes of human disease, a One Health approach regarding development of new diagnostic tools may lead to synergistic benefits. This review gives an overview on zoonotic protozoan, bacterial and viral tick-borne pathogens worldwide, discusses commonly used diagnostic techniques for TBDs, and compares commercial availability of diagnostic tests for humans vs. domestic animals, using Germany as an example, with the aim of highlighting existing gaps and opportunities for collaboration in a One Health framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Antje Glass
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Julia Probst
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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Mihelčić M, Marečić V, Ožanič M, Kelava I, Knežević M, Šantić M. Epidemiologic and Epizootic Data of Tularemia in the Past and in the Recent History in Croatia. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050721. [PMID: 32408663 PMCID: PMC7284554 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050721] [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: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. A large number of recent studies have provided an update on the disease characteristics and the distribution across Europe. In Croatia, most of the clinical cases, as well as the reports of the disease in animals, date from the 20th century. In that period, epidemic and epizootic research had given detailed information about endemic regions and their characteristics, including suspected animal hosts and vectors. The region along the middle course of the Sava River, called Middle Posavina, is described as an endemic region, i.e., a “natural focus” of tularemia, in Croatia. In the 21st century, cases of human tularemia are being reported sporadically, with ulceloglandular, oropharyngeal and typhoid forms of disease. A majority of the described cases are linked with the consumption of contaminated food or water. The disease outbreaks still occur in areas along the course of the river Sava and in northwest Croatia. In this review article, we have summarized epidemiologic and epizootic data of tularemia in the past and in recent Croatian history.
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Siebert C, Villers C, Pavlou G, Touquet B, Yakandawala N, Tardieux I, Renesto P. Francisella novicida and F. philomiragia biofilm features conditionning fitness in spring water and in presence of antibiotics. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228591. [PMID: 32023304 PMCID: PMC7001994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are currently considered as a predominant lifestyle of many bacteria in nature. While they promote survival of microbes, biofilms also potentially increase the threats to animal and public health in case of pathogenic species. They not only facilitate bacteria transmission and persistence, but also promote spreading of antibiotic resistance leading to chronic infections. In the case of Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, biofilms have remained largely enigmatic. Here, applying live and static confocal microscopy, we report growth and ultrastructural organization of the biofilms formed in vitro by these microorganisms over the early transition from coccobacillary into coccoid shape during biofilm assembly. Using selective dispersing agents, we provided evidence for extracellular DNA (eDNA) being a major and conserved structural component of mature biofilms formed by both F. subsp. novicida and a human clinical isolate of F. philomiragia. We also observed a higher physical robustness of F. novicida biofilm as compared to F. philomiragia one, a feature likely promoted by specific polysaccharides. Further, F. novicida biofilms resisted significantly better to ciprofloxacin than their planktonic counterparts. Importantly, when grown in biofilms, both Francisella species survived longer in cold water as compared to free-living bacteria, a trait possibly associated with a gain in fitness in the natural aquatic environment. Overall, this study provides information on survival of Francisella when embedded with biofilms that should improve both the future management of biofilm-related infections and the design of effective strategies to tackle down the problematic issue of bacteria persistence in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Corinne Villers
- TIMC-IMAG UMR 5525-UGA CNRS, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.,Université de Caen Normandie, EA4655 U2RM, Caen, France
| | - Georgios Pavlou
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Membrane Dynamics of Parasite-Host Cell Interactions, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Bastien Touquet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Membrane Dynamics of Parasite-Host Cell Interactions, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Isabelle Tardieux
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Membrane Dynamics of Parasite-Host Cell Interactions, CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
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