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Merold V, Silberreis K, Stoecker K. Development and Validation of Ribosomal RNA-Targeted Reverse Transcription Real-Time PCR Assays for the Sensitive and Rapid Diagnostics of High Consequence Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:738868. [PMID: 34777285 PMCID: PMC8589101 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.738868] [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: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time PCR (rtPCR) has become an essential tool in clinical microbiology and has been used for the acute diagnostics of many pathogens. Key performance indicators of rtPCR assays are their specificity as well as their analytical and clinical sensitivity. One way to maximize the sensitivity of such diagnostic rtPCRs is the use of genomic targets, which are present in several copies in the target cells. Here, we use the naturally pre-amplified ribosomal RNA as target for specific and highly sensitive reverse-transcription rtPCR detection of two high consequence pathogens, Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis. We determined their analytical sensitivity and illustrate that the newly designed assays are superior compared with other previous published rtPCR assays. Furthermore, we used spiked clinical sample matrices to evaluate their clinical applicability. Finally, we demonstrate that these assays can be applied on heat-inactivated samples without the need of time-consuming nucleic acid extraction.
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2
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Susat J, Bonczarowska JH, Pētersone-Gordina E, Immel A, Nebel A, Gerhards G, Krause-Kyora B. Yersinia pestis strains from Latvia show depletion of the pla virulence gene at the end of the second plague pandemic. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14628. [PMID: 32884081 PMCID: PMC7471286 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71530-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ancient genomic studies have identified Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) as the causative agent of the second plague pandemic (fourteenth–eighteenth century) that started with the Black Death (1,347–1,353). Most of the Y. pestis strains investigated from this pandemic have been isolated from western Europe, and not much is known about the diversity and microevolution of this bacterium in eastern European countries. In this study, we investigated human remains excavated from two cemeteries in Riga (Latvia). Historical evidence suggests that the burials were a consequence of plague outbreaks during the seventeenth century. DNA was extracted from teeth of 16 individuals and subjected to shotgun sequencing. Analysis of the metagenomic data revealed the presence of Y. pestis sequences in four remains, confirming that the buried individuals were victims of plague. In two samples, Y. pestis DNA coverage was sufficient for genome reconstruction. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed that the Riga strains fell within the diversity of the already known post-Black Death genomes. Interestingly, the two Latvian isolates did not cluster together. Moreover, we detected a drop in coverage of the pPCP1 plasmid region containing the pla gene. Further analysis indicated the presence of two pPCP1 plasmids, one with and one without the pla gene region, and only one bacterial chromosome, indicating that the same bacterium carried two distinct pPCP1 plasmids. In addition, we found the same pattern in the majority of previously published post-Black Death strains, but not in the Black Death strains. The pla gene is an important virulence factor for the infection of and transmission in humans. Thus, the spread of pla-depleted strains may, among other causes, have contributed to the disappearance of the second plague pandemic in eighteenth century Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Susat
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Joanna H Bonczarowska
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Immel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Almut Nebel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Guntis Gerhards
- Institute of Latvian History, University of Latvia, Kalpaka bulvāris 4, Riga, 1050, Latvia
| | - Ben Krause-Kyora
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
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3
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Bai Y, Motin V, Enscore RE, Osikowicz L, Rosales Rizzo M, Hojgaard A, Kosoy M, Eisen RJ. Pentaplex real-time PCR for differential detection of Yersinia pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis and application for testing fleas collected during plague epizootics. Microbiologyopen 2020; 9:e1105. [PMID: 32783386 PMCID: PMC7568250 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon acquiring two unique plasmids (pMT1 and pPCP1) and genome rearrangement during the evolution from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, the plague causative agent Y. pestis is closely related to Y. pseudotuberculosis genetically but became highly virulent. We developed a pentaplex real-time PCR assay that not only detects both Yersinia species but also differentiates Y. pestis strains regarding their plasmid profiles. The five targets used were Y. pestis-specific ypo2088, caf1, and pst located on the chromosome, plasmids pMT1 and pPCP1, respectively; Y. pseudotuberculosis-specific chromosomal gene opgG; and 18S ribosomal RNA gene as an internal control for flea DNA. All targets showed 100% specificity and high sensitivity with limits of detection ranging from 1 fg to 100 fg, with Y. pestis-specific pst as the most sensitive target. Using the assay, Y. pestis strains were differentiated 100% by their known plasmid profiles. Testing Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis-spiked flea DNA showed there is no interference from flea DNA on the amplification of targeted genes. Finally, we applied the assay for testing 102 fleas collected from prairie dog burrows where prairie dog die-off was reported months before flea collection. All flea DNA was amplified by 18S rRNA; no Y. pseudotuberculosis was detected; one flea was positive for all Y. pestis-specific targets, confirming local Y. pestis transmission. Our results indicated the assay is sensitive and specific for the detection and differentiation of Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis. The assay can be used in field investigations for the rapid identification of the plague causative agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bai
- Bacterial Disease BranchDivision of Vector‐Borne DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and PreventionFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Vladimir Motin
- Department of PathologyDepartment of Microbiology & ImmunologyThe University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonGalvestonTexasUSA
| | - Russell E. Enscore
- Bacterial Disease BranchDivision of Vector‐Borne DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and PreventionFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Lynn Osikowicz
- Bacterial Disease BranchDivision of Vector‐Borne DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and PreventionFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Maria Rosales Rizzo
- Bacterial Disease BranchDivision of Vector‐Borne DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and PreventionFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Andrias Hojgaard
- Bacterial Disease BranchDivision of Vector‐Borne DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and PreventionFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | | | - Rebecca J. Eisen
- Bacterial Disease BranchDivision of Vector‐Borne DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and PreventionFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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4
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Abstract
Plague is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is transmitted through the bites of infected rodent fleas. Plague is well known for causing 3 major human pandemics that have killed millions of people since 541 A.D. The aim of this Review is to provide an overview of the epidemiology and ecology of plague in Zimbabwe with special emphasis on its introduction, its potential reservoirs and vectors, and possible causes of its persistence and cyclic outbreaks. To achieve this, we carried out a search and document reported plague outbreaks in Zimbabwe. In the country, human plague cases have been reported in Hwange, Nkayi, and Lupane since 1974. The highest number of cases occurred in 1994 in the Nkayi district of Matabeleland North Province with a total of 329 confirmed human cases and 28 deaths. Plague is encountered in 2 different foci in the country, sylvatic and rural. Risk factors for contracting plague in the country include man-to-rodent contact, cultivation, hunting, cattle herding, handling of infected materials, camping in forests, and anthropic invasion of new areas. Plague is now enzootic in Zimbabwe, and the most recent case was reported in 2012, hence its effective control requires up-to-date information on the epidemiology and ecology of the disease. This can be achieved through continuous monitoring and awareness programs in plague-prone areas.
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5
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Gargis AS, Cherney B, Conley AB, McLaughlin HP, Sue D. Rapid Detection of Genetic Engineering, Structural Variation, and Antimicrobial Resistance Markers in Bacterial Biothreat Pathogens by Nanopore Sequencing. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13501. [PMID: 31534162 PMCID: PMC6751186 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49700-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Widespread release of Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) or Yersinia pestis (plague) would prompt a public health emergency. During an exposure event, high-quality whole genome sequencing (WGS) can identify genetic engineering, including the introduction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Here, we developed rapid WGS laboratory and bioinformatics workflows using a long-read nanopore sequencer (MinION) for Y. pestis (6.5 h) and B. anthracis (8.5 h) and sequenced strains with different AMR profiles. Both salt-precipitation and silica-membrane extracted DNA were suitable for MinION WGS using both rapid and field library preparation methods. In replicate experiments, nanopore quality metrics were defined for genome assembly and mutation analysis. AMR markers were correctly detected and >99% coverage of chromosomes and plasmids was achieved using 100,000 raw sequencing reads. While chromosomes and large and small plasmids were accurately assembled, including novel multimeric forms of the Y. pestis virulence plasmid, pPCP1, MinION reads were error-prone, particularly in homopolymer regions. MinION sequencing holds promise as a practical, front-line strategy for on-site pathogen characterization to speed the public health response during a biothreat emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Gargis
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
- Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| | - Blake Cherney
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrew B Conley
- IHRC-Georgia Tech Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Heather P McLaughlin
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David Sue
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Wrobel A, Leo JC, Linke D. Overcoming Fish Defences: The Virulence Factors of Yersinia ruckeri. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10090700. [PMID: 31514317 PMCID: PMC6770984 DOI: 10.3390/genes10090700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Yersinia ruckeri is the causative agent of enteric redmouth disease, a bacterial infection of marine and freshwater fish. The disease mainly affects salmonids, and outbreaks have significant economic impact on fish farms all over the world. Vaccination routines are in place against the major serotypes of Y. ruckeri but are not effective in all cases. Despite the economic importance of enteric redmouth disease, a detailed molecular understanding of the disease is lacking. A considerable number of mostly omics-based studies have been performed in recent years to identify genes related to Y. ruckeri virulence. This review summarizes the knowledge on Y. ruckeri virulence factors. Understanding the molecular pathogenicity of Y. ruckeri will aid in developing more efficient vaccines and antimicrobial compounds directed against enteric redmouth disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wrobel
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jack C Leo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK.
| | - Dirk Linke
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
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Nyirenda SS, Hang Ombe BM, Simulundu E, Mulenga E, Moonga L, Machang U RS, Misinzo G, Kilonzo BS. Molecular epidemiological investigations of plague in Eastern Province of Zambia. BMC Microbiol 2018; 18:2. [PMID: 29433443 PMCID: PMC5810007 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-017-1146-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plague is a flea-borne zoonotic and invasive disease caused by a gram negative coccobacillus bacterium called Yersinia pestis. Plague has caused three devastating pandemics globally namely: the Justinian, Black Death and Oriental plague. The disease in the Eastern Province of Zambia has been reported in Nyimba and Sinda Districts in the past 15 years. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of plague in the two affected districts. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), targeting Plasminogen activator gene (pla gene) of Y. pestis, was performed on suspected human bubo aspirates (n = 7), rodents (n = 216), shrews (n = 27) and fleas (n = 1494). Of these, one positive sample from each source or host was subjected to sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. Results The plasminogen activator gene (pla gene) of Y. pestis was detected in 42.8% bubo aspirates, 6.9% rodents, 3.7% shrew and 0.8% fleas. The fleas were from pigs (n = 4), goats (n = 5) and rodents (n = 3). The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis suggested that the pla gene of Y. pestis in Nyimba and Sinda was similar and the isolates demonstrated a high degree of evolutionary relationship with Antiqua strains from the Republic of Congo and Kenya. Conclusion It can be concluded that pla gene of Y. pestis was present in various hosts in the two districts and the strains circulating in each district were similar and resembles those in the Republic of Congo and Kenya. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-017-1146-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley S Nyirenda
- Central Veterinary Research Institute, P.O. BOX 33980, Balmoral, Lusaka, Zambia. .,Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Bernard M Hang Ombe
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Edgar Simulundu
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Evans Mulenga
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ladslav Moonga
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Robert S Machang U
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Gerald Misinzo
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Bukheti S Kilonzo
- Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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8
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Liu Z, Gao X, Wang H, Fang H, Yan Y, Liu L, Chen R, Zhou D, Yang R, Han Y. Plasmid pPCP1-derived sRNA HmsA promotes biofilm formation of Yersinia pestis. BMC Microbiol 2016; 16:176. [PMID: 27492011 PMCID: PMC4973556 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-016-0793-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ability of Yersinia pestis to form a biofilm is an important characteristic in flea transmission of this pathogen. Y. pestis laterally acquired two plasmids (pPCP1and pMT1) and the ability to form biofilms when it evolved from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are thought to play a crucial role in the processes of biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Results A pPCP1-derived sRNA HmsA (also known as sR084) was found to contribute to the enhanced biofilm formation phenotype of Y. pestis. The concentration of c-di-GMP was significantly reduced upon deletion of the hmsA gene in Y. pestis. The abundance of mRNA transcripts determining exopolysaccharide production, crucial for biofilm formation, was measured by primer extension, RT-PCR and lacZ transcriptional fusion assays in the wild-type and hmsA mutant strains. HmsA positively regulated biofilm synthesis-associated genes (hmsHFRS, hmsT and hmsCDE), but had no regulatory effect on the biofilm degradation-associated gene hmsP. Interestingly, the recently identified biofilm activator sRNA, HmsB, was rapidly degraded in the hmsA deletion mutant. Two genes (rovM and rovA) functioning as biofilm regulators were also found to be regulated by HmsA, whose regulatory effects were consistent with the HmsA-mediated biofilm phenotype. Conclusion HmsA potentially functions as an activator of biofilm formation in Y. pestis, implying that sRNAs encoded on the laterally acquired plasmids might be involved in the chromosome-based regulatory networks implicated in Y. pestis-specific physiological processes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-016-0793-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China.,State Key Lab of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Xiaofang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China.,Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Hongduo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China.,College of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
| | - Haihong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yanfeng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Lei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Rong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China.,The General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China.
| | - Yanping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, Dongdajie, Fengtai, Beijing, 100071, China.
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Armougom F, Bitam I, Croce O, Merhej V, Barassi L, Nguyen TT, La Scola B, Raoult D. Genomic Insights into a New Citrobacter koseri Strain Revealed Gene Exchanges with the Virulence-Associated Yersinia pestis pPCP1 Plasmid. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:340. [PMID: 27014253 PMCID: PMC4793686 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The history of infectious diseases raised the plague as one of the most devastating for human beings. Far too often considered an ancient disease, the frequent resurgence of the plague has led to consider it as a reemerging disease in Madagascar, Algeria, Libya, and Congo. The genetic factors associated with the pathogenicity of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague, involve the acquisition of the pPCP1 plasmid that promotes host invasion through the expression of the virulence factor Pla. The surveillance of plague foci after the 2003 outbreak in Algeria resulted in a positive detection of the specific pla gene of Y. pestis in rodents. However, the phenotypic characterization of the isolate identified a Citrobacter koseri. The comparative genomics of our sequenced C. koseri URMITE genome revealed a mosaic gene structure resulting from the lifestyle of our isolate and provided evidence for gene exchanges with different enteric bacteria. The most striking was the acquisition of a continuous 2 kb genomic fragment containing the virulence factor Pla of the Y. pestis pPCP1 plasmid; however, the subcutaneous injection of the CKU strain in mice did not produce any pathogenic effect. Our findings demonstrate that fast molecular detection of plague using solely the pla gene is unsuitable and should rather require Y. pestis gene marker combinations. We also suggest that the evolutionary force that might govern the expression of pathogenicity can occur through the acquisition of virulence genes but could also require the loss or the inactivation of resident genes such as antivirulence genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Armougom
- URMITE, Faculté de Médecine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UM63, CNRS 7257, IRD198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseille, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, UM110Marseille, France
| | - Idir Bitam
- Laboratoire VALCORE, Université M'Hamed Bougara Boumerdès Boumerdès, Algeria
| | - Olivier Croce
- URMITE, Faculté de Médecine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UM63, CNRS 7257, IRD198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Vicky Merhej
- URMITE, Faculté de Médecine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UM63, CNRS 7257, IRD198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Lina Barassi
- URMITE, Faculté de Médecine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UM63, CNRS 7257, IRD198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Ti-Thien Nguyen
- URMITE, Faculté de Médecine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UM63, CNRS 7257, IRD198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- URMITE, Faculté de Médecine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UM63, CNRS 7257, IRD198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- URMITE, Faculté de Médecine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UM63, CNRS 7257, IRD198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
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10
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Nozadze M, Zhgenti E, Meparishvili M, Tsverava L, Kiguradze T, Chanturia G, Babuadze G, Kekelidze M, Bakanidze L, Shutkova T, Imnadze P, Francesconi SC, Obiso R, Solomonia R. Comparative Proteomic Studies of Yersinia pestis Strains Isolated from Natural Foci in the Republic of Georgia. Front Public Health 2015; 3:239. [PMID: 26528469 PMCID: PMC4607876 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is a highly virulent bacterium responsible for millions of human deaths throughout history. In the last decade, two natural plague foci have been described in the Republic of Georgia from which dozens of Y. pestis strains have been isolated. Analyses indicate that there are genetic differences between these strains, but it is not known if these differences are also reflected in protein expression. We chose four strains of Y. pestis (1390, 1853, 2944, and 8787) from the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health collection for proteomic studies based on neighbor-joining tree genetic analysis and geographical loci of strain origin. Proteomic expression was analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Select Y. pestis strains were grown under different physiological conditions and their proteomes were compared: (1) 28°C without calcium; (2) 28°C with calcium; (3) 37°C without calcium; and (4) 37°C with calcium. Candidate proteins were identified and the differences in expression of F1 antigen, tellurium-resistance protein, and outer membrane protein C, porin were validated by Western blotting. The in vitro cytotoxicity activity of these strains was also compared. The results indicate that protein expression and cytotoxic activities differ significantly among the studied strains; these differences could contribute to variations in essential physiological functions in these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Nozadze
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University , Tbilisi , Georgia ; I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Ekaterine Zhgenti
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University , Tbilisi , Georgia ; National Center for Disease Control , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Maia Meparishvili
- I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Lia Tsverava
- I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | - Tamar Kiguradze
- I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Paata Imnadze
- National Center for Disease Control , Tbilisi , Georgia
| | | | - Richard Obiso
- Attimo Research and Development , Blacksburg, VA , USA
| | - Revaz Solomonia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University , Tbilisi , Georgia ; I.Beritashvili Center for Experimental Biomedicine , Tbilisi , Georgia
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11
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Zimbler DL, Schroeder JA, Eddy JL, Lathem WW. Early emergence of Yersinia pestis as a severe respiratory pathogen. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7487. [PMID: 26123398 PMCID: PMC4491175 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis causes the fatal respiratory disease pneumonic plague. Y. pestis recently evolved from the gastrointestinal pathogen Y. pseudotuberculosis; however, it is not known at what point Y. pestis gained the ability to induce a fulminant pneumonia. Here we show that the acquisition of a single gene encoding the protease Pla was sufficient for the most ancestral, deeply rooted strains of Y. pestis to cause pneumonic plague, indicating that Y. pestis was primed to infect the lungs at a very early stage in its evolution. As Y. pestis further evolved, modern strains acquired a single amino-acid modification within Pla that optimizes protease activity. While this modification is unnecessary to cause pneumonic plague, the substitution is instead needed to efficiently induce the invasive infection associated with bubonic plague. These findings indicate that Y. pestis was capable of causing pneumonic plague before it evolved to optimally cause invasive infections in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Zimbler
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Jay A Schroeder
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Justin L Eddy
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - Wyndham W Lathem
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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Revazishvili T, Johnson JA. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Yersinia pestis. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1301:115-28. [PMID: 25862053 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2599-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Yersinia pestis is a human pathogen and can cause serious disease. Biosafety level 3 (BSL3) is required when handling this microorganism and all work requires a biological safety cabinet. For pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), dedicated BSL3 PFGE equipment or a documented procedure that ensures that all viable bacteria are inactivated is required. All plasticware and glassware that comes into contact with the cultures should be disinfected/sterilized or disposed of in a safe manner, according to the guidelines of institution. This includes decontamination of pipettes, spatulas, etc. that were in contact with the cell suspensions or plugs. Disinfection of reusable plug molds should be done before they are washed; the disposable plug molds, including the tape and the tab that was used to push the plugs out of the wells, are also contaminated and should be disinfected with 10 % bleach for at least 30 min if they will be washed and reused.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Revazishvili
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA,
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van Lier CJ, Tiner BL, Chauhan S, Motin VL, Fitts EC, Huante MB, Endsley JJ, Ponnusamy D, Sha J, Chopra AK. Further characterization of a highly attenuated Yersinia pestis CO92 mutant deleted for the genes encoding Braun lipoprotein and plasminogen activator protease in murine alveolar and primary human macrophages. Microb Pathog 2015; 80:27-38. [PMID: 25697665 PMCID: PMC4363157 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We recently characterized the Δlpp Δpla double in-frame deletion mutant of Yersinia pestis CO92 molecularly, biologically, and immunologically. While Braun lipoprotein (Lpp) activates toll-like receptor-2 to initiate an inflammatory cascade, plasminogen activator (Pla) protease facilitates bacterial dissemination in the host. The Δlpp Δpla double mutant was highly attenuated in evoking bubonic and pneumonic plague, was rapidly cleared from mouse organs, and generated humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to provide subsequent protection to mice against a lethal challenge dose of wild-type (WT) CO92. Here, we further characterized the Δlpp Δpla double mutant in two murine macrophage cell lines as well as in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages to gauge its potential as a live-attenuated vaccine candidate. We first demonstrated that the Δpla single and the Δlpp Δpla double mutant were unable to survive efficiently in murine and human macrophages, unlike WT CO92. We observed that the levels of Pla and its associated protease activity were not affected in the Δlpp single mutant, and, likewise, deletion of the pla gene from WT CO92 did not alter Lpp levels. Further, our study revealed that both Lpp and Pla contributed to the intracellular survival of WT CO92 via different mechanisms. Importantly, the ability of the Δlpp Δpla double mutant to be phagocytized by macrophages, to stimulate production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, and to activate the nitric oxide killing pathways of the host cells remained unaltered when compared to the WT CO92-infected macrophages. Finally, macrophages infected with either the WT CO92 or the Δlpp Δpla double mutant were equally efficient in their uptake of zymosan particles as determined by flow cytometric analysis. Overall, our data indicated that although the Δlpp Δpla double mutant of Y. pestis CO92 was highly attenuated, it retained the ability to elicit innate and subsequent acquired immune responses in the host similar to that of WT CO92, which are highly desirable in a live-attenuated vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J van Lier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bethany L Tiner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Sadhana Chauhan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Vladimir L Motin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Eric C Fitts
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Matthew B Huante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Janice J Endsley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Duraisamy Ponnusamy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jian Sha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Ashok K Chopra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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