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Xi Y, Li X, Liu L, Xiu F, Yi X, Chen H, You X. Sneaky tactics: Ingenious immune evasion mechanisms of Bartonella. Virulence 2024; 15:2322961. [PMID: 38443331 PMCID: PMC10936683 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2322961] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative Bartonella species are facultative intracellular bacteria that can survive in the harsh intracellular milieu of host cells. They have evolved strategies to evade detection and degradation by the host immune system, which ensures their proliferation in the host. Following infection, Bartonella alters the initial immunogenic surface-exposed proteins to evade immune recognition via antigen or phase variation. The diverse lipopolysaccharide structures of certain Bartonella species allow them to escape recognition by the host pattern recognition receptors. Additionally, the survival of mature erythrocytes and their resistance to lysosomal fusion further complicate the immune clearance of this species. Certain Bartonella species also evade immune attacks by producing biofilms and anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreasing endothelial cell apoptosis. Overall, these factors create a challenging landscape for the host immune system to rapidly and effectively eradicate the Bartonella species, thereby facilitating the persistence of Bartonella infections and creating a substantial obstacle for therapeutic interventions. This review focuses on the effects of three human-specific Bartonella species, particularly their mechanisms of host invasion and immune escape, to gain new perspectives in the development of effective diagnostic tools, prophylactic measures, and treatment options for Bartonella infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Xi
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xinru Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Feichen Xiu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xinchao Yi
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hongliang Chen
- Chenzhou NO.1 People’s Hospital, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, ChenZhou, China
| | - Xiaoxing You
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Jalal K, Khan K, Uddin R. Immunoinformatic-guided designing of multi-epitope vaccine construct against Brucella Suis 1300. Immunol Res 2022; 71:247-266. [PMID: 36459272 PMCID: PMC9716126 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-022-09346-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Brucella suis mediates the transmission of brucellosis in humans and animals and a significant facultative zoonotic pathogen found in livestock. It has the capacity to survive and multiply in a phagocytic environment and to acquire resistance under hostile conditions thus becoming a threat globally. Antibiotic resistance is posing a substantial public health threat, hence there is an unmet and urgent clinical need for immune-based non-antibiotic methods to treat brucellosis. Hence, we aimed to explore the whole proteome of Brucella suis to predict antigenic proteins as a vaccine target and designed a novel chimeric vaccine (multi-epitope vaccine) through subtractive genomics-based reverse vaccinology approaches. The applied subsequent hierarchical shortlisting resulted in the identification of Multidrug efflux Resistance-nodulation-division (RND) transporter outer membrane subunit (gene BepC) that may act as a potential vaccine target. T-cell and B-cell epitopes have been predicted from target proteins using a number of immunoinformatic methods. Six MHC I, ten MHC II, and four B-cell epitopes were used to create a 324-amino-acid MEV construct, which was coupled with appropriate linkers and adjuvant. To boost the immunological response to the vaccine, the vaccine was combined with the TLR4 agonist HBHA protein. The MEV structure predicted was found to be highly antigenic, non-toxic, non-allergenic, flexible, stable, and soluble. To confirm the interactions with the receptors, a molecular docking simulation of the MEV was done using the human TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4) and HLAs. The stability and binding of the MEV-docked complexes with TLR4 were assessed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Finally, MEV was reverse translated, its cDNA structure was evaluated, and then, in silico cloning into an E. coli expression host was conducted to promote maximum vaccine protein production with appropriate post-translational modifications. These comprehensive computer calculations backed up the efficacy of the suggested MEV in protecting against B. suis infections. However, more experimental validations are needed to adequately assess the vaccine candidate's potential. HIGHLIGHTS: • Subtractive genomic analysis and reverse vaccinology for the prioritization of novel vaccine target • Examination of chimeric vaccine in terms of allergenicity, antigenicity, MHC I, II binding efficacy, and structural-based studies • Molecular docking simulation method to rank based vaccine candidate and understand their binding modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khurshid Jalal
- HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Kanwal Khan
- Lab 103 PCMD Ext. Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Reaz Uddin
- Lab 103 PCMD Ext. Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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Abstract
Bartonella bacilliformis causes Carrión's disease, an infectious disease present in rural Andean areas of Peru and Ecuador. The disease has an acute and a chronic phase called Oroya fever and Peruvian wart, respectively. Oroya fever is potentially fatal if treated inadequately. Female Lutzomyia verrucarum, a phlebotomine sand fly endemic to South America, is the major vector. B. bacilliformis exhibits high susceptibility levels to a variety of antibacterial agents. B. bacilliformis is difficult to culture. Most endemic areas are remote with fragile health systems and poor communication. Thus, the true burden of the disease is difficult to ascertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Ruiz
- Grupo de Enfermedades Emergentes y Reemergentes, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
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Khan K, Alhar MSO, Abbas MN, Abbas SQ, Kazi M, Khan SA, Sadiq A, Hassan SSU, Bungau S, Jalal K. Integrated Bioinformatics-Based Subtractive Genomics Approach to Decipher the Therapeutic Drug Target and Its Possible Intervention against Brucellosis. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:633. [PMID: 36354544 PMCID: PMC9687753 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9110633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucella suis, one of the causative agents of brucellosis, is Gram-negative intracellular bacteria that may be found all over the globe and it is a significant facultative zoonotic pathogen found in livestock. It may adapt to a phagocytic environment, reproduce, and develop resistance to harmful environments inside host cells, which is a crucial part of the Brucella life cycle making it a worldwide menace. The molecular underpinnings of Brucella pathogenicity have been substantially elucidated due to comprehensive methods such as proteomics. Therefore, we aim to explore the complete Brucella suis proteome to prioritize the novel proteins as drug targets via subtractive proteo-genomics analysis, an effort to conjecture the existence of distinct pathways in the development of brucellosis. Consequently, 38 unique metabolic pathways having 503 proteins were observed while among these 503 proteins, the non-homologs (n = 421), essential (n = 350), drug-like (n = 114), virulence (n = 45), resistance (n = 42), and unique to pathogen proteins were retrieved from Brucella suis. The applied subsequent hierarchical shortlisting resulted in a protein, i.e., isocitrate lyase, that may act as potential drug target, which was finalized after the extensive literature survey. The interacting partners for these shortlisted drug targets were identified through the STRING database. Moreover, structure-based studies were also performed on isocitrate lyase to further analyze its function. For that purpose, ~18,000 ZINC compounds were screened to identify new potent drug candidates against isocitrate lyase for brucellosis. It resulted in the shortlisting of six compounds, i.e., ZINC95543764, ZINC02688148, ZINC20115475, ZINC04232055, ZINC04231816, and ZINC04259566 that potentially inhibit isocitrate lyase. However, the ADMET profiling showed that all compounds fulfill ADMET properties except for ZINC20115475 showing positive Ames activity; whereas, ZINC02688148, ZINC04259566, ZINC04232055, and ZINC04231816 showed hepatoxicity while all compounds were observed to have no skin sensitization. In light of these parameters, we recommend ZINC95543764 compound for further experimental studies. According to the present research, which uses subtractive genomics, proteins that might serve as therapeutic targets and potential lead options for eradicating brucellosis have been narrowed down.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi City 75270, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Naseer Abbas
- Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Pakistan
| | - Syed Qamar Abbas
- Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science and Technology, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Kazi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, P.O. Box-2457, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saeed Ahmad Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat 26000, Pakistan
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, The University of Texas at Austin, 2409 University Ave., Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Abdul Sadiq
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Malakand, Chakdara 18000, Pakistan
| | - Syed Shams ul Hassan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Simona Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania
| | - Khurshid Jalal
- HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi City 75270, Pakistan
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Dichter AA, Schultze TG, Wenigmann A, Ballhorn W, Latz A, Schlüfter E, Ventosilla P, Guerra Allison H, Ugarte-Gil C, Tsukayama P, Kempf VAJ. Identification of immunodominant Bartonella bacilliformis proteins: a combined in-silico and serology approach. THE LANCET MICROBE 2021; 2:e685-e694. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(21)00184-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Immunogenic Peptides from Pap31 and SCS-α of Bartonella bacilliformis: One Step Closer to a Rapid Diagnostic Tool for Carrion's Disease. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080917. [PMID: 34451381 PMCID: PMC8400886 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080917] [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: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella bacilliformis is the causal agent of Carrion’s disease, an overlooked illness endemic in the Andean Mountains with Peru being the most affected country. The diagnostic of this illness is a challenge due to the limited resources and the common symptomatology with other infectious diseases. The goal of this study was to identify immunogenic peptides from Pap31 and succinyl-CoA synthetase α (SCS-α) of B. bacilliformis that might be suitable for developing a serologic tool. The immunodominant character of Pap31 and SCS-α was determined by Western blotting and in-silico analysis. Subsequently, 35 peptides were selected for epitope mapping and their immunoreactivity was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 30 sera were tested including pre-exposed people with high IgM levels for Pap31/SCS-α (23 sera), patients (2 sera) as well as 5 sera with no reactivity to Pap31/SCS-α. The results indicate that Pap31-8 (187QAIGSAILKGTKDTGT202) and SCS-α-12 (59IFASVAEGKEKTGANA74) are the most immunogenic peptides, with Pap31-8 showing potential to discriminate between B. bacilliformis and the remaining Bartonella spp., and SCS-α-12 differentiating Bartonella spp. from other microorganisms.
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Thibau A, Dichter AA, Vaca DJ, Linke D, Goldman A, Kempf VAJ. Immunogenicity of trimeric autotransporter adhesins and their potential as vaccine targets. Med Microbiol Immunol 2020; 209:243-263. [PMID: 31788746 PMCID: PMC7247748 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00649-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The current problem of increasing antibiotic resistance and the resurgence of numerous infections indicate the need for novel vaccination strategies more than ever. In vaccine development, the search for and the selection of adequate vaccine antigens is the first important step. In recent years, bacterial outer membrane proteins have become of major interest, as they are the main proteins interacting with the extracellular environment. Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are important virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria, are localised on the bacterial surface, and mediate the first adherence to host cells in the course of infection. One example is the Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), which is currently used as a subunit in a licensed vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis. Other TAAs that seem promising vaccine candidates are the Acinetobacter trimeric autotransporter (Ata), the Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia), and TAAs of the genus Bartonella. Here, we review the suitability of various TAAs as vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thibau
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander A. Dichter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diana J. Vaca
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dirk Linke
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Volkhard A. J. Kempf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Vaca DJ, Thibau A, Schütz M, Kraiczy P, Happonen L, Malmström J, Kempf VAJ. Interaction with the host: the role of fibronectin and extracellular matrix proteins in the adhesion of Gram-negative bacteria. Med Microbiol Immunol 2019; 209:277-299. [PMID: 31784893 PMCID: PMC7248048 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of pathogenic microorganisms to adhere to host cells and avoid clearance by the host immune system is the initial and most decisive step leading to infections. Bacteria have developed different strategies to attach to diverse host surface structures. One important strategy is the adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (e.g., collagen, fibronectin, laminin) that are highly abundant in connective tissue and basement membranes. Gram-negative bacteria express variable outer membrane proteins (adhesins) to attach to the host and to initiate the process of infection. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of bacterial adhesion is a prerequisite for targeting this interaction by “anti-ligands” to prevent colonization or infection of the host. Future development of such “anti-ligands” (specifically interfering with bacteria-host matrix interactions) might result in the development of a new class of anti-infective drugs for the therapy of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the manifold interactions of adhesins expressed by Gram-negative bacteria with ECM proteins and the use of this information for the generation of novel therapeutic antivirulence strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana J Vaca
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Arno Thibau
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Monika Schütz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Eberhard Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Kraiczy
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lotta Happonen
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Malmström
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Volkhard A J Kempf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Garcia-Quintanilla M, Dichter AA, Guerra H, Kempf VAJ. Carrion's disease: more than a neglected disease. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:141. [PMID: 30909982 PMCID: PMC6434794 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3390-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with Bartonella bacilliformis result in Carrion's disease in humans. In the first phase of infection, the pathogen causes a hemolytic fever ("Oroya fever") with case-fatality rates as high as ~90% in untreated patients, followed by a chronical phase resulting in angiogenic skin lesions ("verruga peruana"). Bartonella bacilliformis is endemic to South American Andean valleys and is transmitted via sand flies (Lutzomyia spp.). Humans are the only known reservoir for this old disease and therefore no animal infection model is available. In the present review, we provide the current knowledge on B. bacilliformis and its pathogenicity factors, vectors, possible unknown reservoirs, established and potential infection models and immunological aspects of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Garcia-Quintanilla
- University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander A Dichter
- University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Humberto Guerra
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and the Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Lima, Peru
| | - Volkhard A J Kempf
- University Hospital, Goethe-University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Abstract
Carrion's disease (CD) is a neglected biphasic vector-borne illness related to Bartonella bacilliformis. It is found in the Andean valleys and is transmitted mainly by members of the Lutzomyia genus but also by blood transfusions and from mother to child. The acute phase, Oroya fever, presents severe anemia and fever. The lethality is high in the absence of adequate treatment, despite the organism being susceptible to most antibiotics. Partial immunity is developed after infection by B. bacilliformis, resulting in high numbers of asymptomatic carriers. Following infection there is the chronic phase, Peruvian warts, involving abnormal proliferation of the endothelial cells. Despite potentially being eradicable, CD has been expanded due to human migration and geographical expansion of the vector. Moreover, in vitro studies have demonstrated the risk of the development of antimicrobial resistance. These findings, together with the description of new Bartonella species producing CD-like infections, the presence of undescribed potential vectors in new areas, the lack of adequate diagnostic tools and knowledge of the immunology and bacterial pathogenesis of CD, and poor international visibility, have led to the risk of increasing the potential expansion of resistant strains which will challenge current treatment schemes as well as the possible appearance of CD in areas where it is not endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Gomes
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Ruiz
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Abstract
Since the reclassification of the genus Bartonella in 1993, the number of species has grown from 1 to 45 currently designated members. Likewise, the association of different Bartonella species with human disease continues to grow, as does the range of clinical presentations associated with these bacteria. Among these, blood-culture-negative endocarditis stands out as a common, often undiagnosed, clinical presentation of infection with several different Bartonella species. The limitations of laboratory tests resulting in this underdiagnosis of Bartonella endocarditis are discussed. The varied clinical picture of Bartonella infection and a review of clinical aspects of endocarditis caused by Bartonella are presented. We also summarize the current knowledge of the molecular basis of Bartonella pathogenesis, focusing on surface adhesins in the two Bartonella species that most commonly cause endocarditis, B. henselae and B. quintana. We discuss evidence that surface adhesins are important factors for autoaggregation and biofilm formation by Bartonella species. Finally, we propose that biofilm formation is a critical step in the formation of vegetative masses during Bartonella-mediated endocarditis and represents a potential reservoir for persistence by these bacteria.
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