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Carneiro S, Pinto M, Silva S, Santos A, Rodrigues I, Santos D, Duarte S, Vieira L, Gomes JP, Macedo R. Genome-Scale Characterization of Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Isolates from Portugal. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15402. [PMID: 37895081 PMCID: PMC10606986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015402] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) is an emerging, difficult to treat, multidrug-resistant nontuberculous mycobacteria responsible for a wide spectrum of infections and associated with an increasing number of cases worldwide. Dominant circulating clones (DCCs) of MABC have been genetically identified as groups of strains associated with higher prevalence, higher levels of antimicrobial resistance, and worse clinical outcomes. To date, little is known about the genomic characteristics of MABC species circulating in Portugal. Here, we examined the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance profiles of 30 MABC strains isolated between 2014 and 2022 in Portugal. The genetic diversity of circulating MABC strains was assessed through a gene-by-gene approach (wgMLST), allowing their subspecies differentiation and the classification of isolates into DCCs. Antimicrobial resistance profiles were defined using phenotypic, molecular, and genomic approaches. The majority of isolates were resistant to at least two antimicrobials, although a poor correlation between phenotype and genotype data was observed. Portuguese genomes were highly diverse, and data suggest the existence of MABC lineages with potential international circulation or cross-border transmission. This study highlights the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance profile of circulating MABC isolates in Portugal while representing the first step towards the implementation of a genomic-based surveillance system for MABC at the Portuguese NIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Carneiro
- National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.S.)
- Department of Life Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Pinto
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.P.); (J.P.G.)
| | - Sónia Silva
- National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Santos
- National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Irene Rodrigues
- National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Daniela Santos
- Technology and Innovation Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.S.); (S.D.)
| | - Sílvia Duarte
- Technology and Innovation Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.S.); (S.D.)
| | - Luís Vieira
- Technology and Innovation Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.S.); (S.D.)
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.P.); (J.P.G.)
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, 376 Campo Grande, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Macedo
- National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (S.C.); (A.S.)
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Pedace CS, Gonçalves MG, Souza AR, Dos Santos Simeão FC, de Carvalho NFG, Gallo JF, Chimara E. Development of multiplex real-time PCR for detection of clarithromycin resistance genes for the Mycobacterium abscessus group. J Med Microbiol 2023; 72. [PMID: 36920844 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001670] [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: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. The M. abscessus molecular identification and its drug-resistance profile are important to choose the correct therapy.Aim. This work developed a multiplex real-time PCR (mqPCR) for detection of clarithromycin resistance genes for the Mycobacterium abscessus group.Methodology. Isolates received by Adolfo Lutz Institute from 2010 to 2012, identified by PCR restriction enzyme analysis of a fragment of the hsp65 gene (PRA-hsp65) as M. abscessus type 1 (n=135) and 2 (n=71) were used. Drug susceptibility test (DST) for CLA were performed with reading on days 3 and 14. Subespecies identification by hsp65 and rpoB genes sequencing and erm(41) and rrl genes for mutation detection and primer design were performed. erm(41) gene deletion was detected by conventional PCR. Primers and probes were designed for five detections: erm(41) gene full size and with deletion; erm(41) gene T28 and C28; rrl gene A2058.Results. In total, 191/206 (92.7 %) isolates were concordant by all methods and 13/206 (6.3 %) were concordant only between molecular methods. Two isolates (1.0 %) were discordant by mqPCR compared to rrl gene sequencing. The mqPCR obtained 204/206 (99.0 %) isolates in agreement with the gold standard, with sensitivity and specificity of 98 and 100 %, respectively, considering the gold standard method and 92 and 93 % regarding DST.Conclusion. The mqPCR developed by us proved to be an easy-to-apply tool, minimizing time, errors and contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Salgado Pedace
- Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriosis Branch, Bacteriology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 351 - 9th floor - Pacaembu, 01246000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Gisele Gonçalves
- Immunology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 351 - 10th floor - Pacaembu, 01246000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréia Rodrigues Souza
- Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriosis Branch, Bacteriology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 351 - 9th floor - Pacaembu, 01246000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Cristina Dos Santos Simeão
- Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriosis Branch, Bacteriology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 351 - 9th floor - Pacaembu, 01246000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia Fernandes Garcia de Carvalho
- Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriosis Branch, Bacteriology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 351 - 9th floor - Pacaembu, 01246000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Failde Gallo
- Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriosis Branch, Bacteriology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 351 - 9th floor - Pacaembu, 01246000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erica Chimara
- Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriosis Branch, Bacteriology Center, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 351 - 9th floor - Pacaembu, 01246000, São Paulo, Brazil
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Hershko Y, Adler A, Barkan D, Meir M. Glycopeptidolipid Defects Leading to Rough Morphotypes of Mycobacterium abscessus Do Not Confer Clinical Antibiotic Resistance. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0527022. [PMID: 36722959 PMCID: PMC10101123 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05270-22] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging pathogen causing severe pulmonary infections. Within chronically infected patients, M. abscessus isolates undergo molecular changes leading to increased virulence and antibiotic resistance. Specifically, mutations in glycopeptidolipid (GPL) synthesis genes, leading to the rough phenotype, are associated with invasive, nonremitting infections and a severe clinical course. It has been unclear whether GPL defects confer antibiotic resistance independently of other molecular changes. We used transposon technology to isolate a rough (GPL-defective; Tn MABS_4099cZeoR) mutant and compare it to a fully isogenic parent strain (ATCC 19977) bearing wild-type zeocin resistance (WTZeoR). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Tn_4099cZeoR and WTZeoR were tested and compared using the Sensititre RAPMYCOI antimicrobial susceptibility test plate. MICs were evaluated within clinically relevant values according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. We found that M. abscessus with rough colony morphotype (Tn_4009c) had comparable antibiotic susceptibility to its smooth isogenic WT counterpart. Small differences (a 1:2 dilution) in MICs were found for imipenem, cefoxitin, and tigecycline, yet those small differences did not change the clinical susceptibility report for these antibiotics, as they fell within the same CLSI cutoffs for resistance. While small alternations in susceptibility to imipenem, cefoxitin, and tigecycline were noted, we conclude that the GPL mutations in M. abscessus did not confer clinically significant antibiotic resistance. Increased antibiotic resistance in the clinical setting may occur in an unrelated and parallel manner to GPL mutations. IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium abscessus chronically infects patients with preexisting lung diseases, leading to progressive deterioration in pulmonary function. The common perception among clinicians is that the rough phenotype is associated with progressive disease and severe clinical course, manifested as a widespread inflammatory response and resistance to antibacterials. However, as clinical isolates accumulate hundreds of mutations over the prolonged course of infection, it is unclear whether the rough phenotype per se is responsible for the antibiotic resistance seen in late-stage infections, or whether the resistance is related to other genetic changes in the bacteria. Previous studies mostly compared rough and smooth clinical isolates. Here, for the first time, we compared WT smooth bacteria to a specific rough, GPL-associated, otherwise-isogenic mutant. We determined that the rough morphotype had essentially identical antibiotic susceptibilities as the parent strain. The mechanistic basis for the antibiotic resistance observed in rough clinical isolates is therefore most probably related to other genetic determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhak Hershko
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Robert H. Smith Faculty for Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amos Adler
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Barkan
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Robert H. Smith Faculty for Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Meir
- Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
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Sur S, Patra T, Karmakar M, Banerjee A. Mycobacterium abscessus: insights from a bioinformatic perspective. Crit Rev Microbiol 2022:1-16. [PMID: 35696783 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2082268] [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: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus is a nontuberculous mycobacterium, associated with broncho-pulmonary infections in individuals suffering from cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary diseases. The risk factors for transmission include biofilms, contaminated water resources, fomites, and infected individuals. M. abscessus is extensively resistant to antibiotics. To date, there is no vaccine and combination antibiotic therapy is followed. However, drug toxicities, low cure rates, and high cost of treatment make it imperfect. Over the last 20 years, bioinformatic studies on M. abscessus have advanced our understanding of the pathogen. This review integrates knowledge from the analysis of genomes, microbiomes, genomic variations, phylogeny, proteome, transcriptome, secretome, antibiotic resistance, and vaccine design to further our understanding. The utility of genome-based studies in comprehending disease progression, surveillance, tracing transmission routes, and epidemiological outbreaks on a global scale has been highlighted. Furthermore, this review underlined the importance of using computational methodologies for pinpointing factors responsible for pathogen survival and resistance. We reiterate the significance of interdisciplinary research to fight M. abscessus. In a nutshell, the outcome of computational studies can go a long way in creating novel therapeutic avenues to control M. abscessus mediated pulmonary infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saubashya Sur
- Postgraduate Department of Botany, Ramananda College, Bishnupur, India
| | - Tanushree Patra
- Postgraduate Department of Botany, Ramananda College, Bishnupur, India
| | - Mistu Karmakar
- Postgraduate Department of Botany, Ramananda College, Bishnupur, India
| | - Anindita Banerjee
- Postgraduate Department of Botany, Ramananda College, Bishnupur, India
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Lewin A, Kamal E, Semmler T, Winter K, Kaiser S, Schäfer H, Mao L, Eschenhagen P, Grehn C, Bender J, Schwarz C. Genetic diversification of persistent Mycobacterium abscessus within cystic fibrosis patients. Virulence 2021; 12:2415-2429. [PMID: 34546836 PMCID: PMC8526041 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1959808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium (M.) abscessus infections in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients cause a deterioration of lung function. Treatment of these multidrug-resistant pathogens is associated with severe side-effects, while frequently unsuccessful. Insight on M. abscessus genomic evolvement during chronic lung infection would be beneficial for improving treatment strategies. A longitudinal study enrolling 42 CF patients was performed at a CF center in Berlin, Germany, to elaborate phylogeny and genomic diversification of in-patient M. abscessus. Eleven of the 42 CF patients were infected with M. abscessus. Five of these 11 patients were infected with global human-transmissible M. abscessus cluster strains. Phylogenetic analysis of 88 genomes from isolates of the 11 patients excluded occurrence of M. abscessus transmission among members of the study group. Genome sequencing and variant analysis of 30 isolates from 11 serial respiratory samples collected over 4.5 years from a chronically infected patient demonstrated accumulation of gene mutations. In total, 53 genes exhibiting non-synonymous variations were identified. Enrichment analysis emphasized genes involved in synthesis of glycopeptidolipids, genes from the embABC (arabinosyltransferase) operon, betA (glucose-methanol-choline oxidoreductase) and choD (cholesterol oxidase). Genetic diversity evolved in a variety of virulence- and resistance-associated genes. The strategy of M. abscessus populations in chronic lung infection is not clonal expansion of dominant variants, but to sustain simultaneously a wide range of genetic variants facilitating adaptation of the population to changing living conditions in the lung. Genomic diversification during chronic infection requires increased attention when new control strategies against M. abscessus infections are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Lewin
- Unit 16 Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kamal
- Unit 16 Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Torsten Semmler
- Unit NG 1 Microbial Genomics, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Winter
- Unit MF1 Bioinformatics, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Kaiser
- Unit MF1 Bioinformatics, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hubert Schäfer
- Unit 16 Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lei Mao
- Unit 16 Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.,Unit 31 Infectious Disease Data Science Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Patience Eschenhagen
- Klinikum Westbrandenburg, Campus Potsdam, Cystic Fibrosis Section, Potsdam, Germany.,Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Grehn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Division of Cystic Fibrosis, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer Bender
- Unit 13 Nosocomial Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistances, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany.,ECDC Fellowship Programme, Public Health Microbiology Path (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Carsten Schwarz
- Klinikum Westbrandenburg, Campus Potsdam, Cystic Fibrosis Section, Potsdam, Germany.,Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Dar HA, Ismail S, Waheed Y, Ahmad S, Jamil Z, Aziz H, Hetta HF, Muhammad K. Designing a multi-epitope vaccine against Mycobacteroides abscessus by pangenome-reverse vaccinology. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11197. [PMID: 34045649 PMCID: PMC8159972 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90868-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacteroides abscessus (Previously Mycobacterium abscessus) is an emerging microorganism of the newly defined genera Mycobacteroides that causes mainly skin and tissue diseases in humans. The recent availability of total 34 fully sequenced genomes of different strains belonging to this species has provided an opportunity to utilize this genomics data to gain novel insights and guide the development of specific antimicrobial therapies. In the present study, we collected collectively 34 complete genome sequences of M. abscessus from the NCBI GenBank database. Pangenome analysis was conducted on these genomes to understand the genetic diversity and to obtain proteins associated with its core genome. These core proteins were then subjected to various subtractive filters to identify potential antigenic targets that were subjected to multi-epitope vaccine design. Our analysis projected the open pangenome of M. abscessus containing 3443 core genes. After applying various stepwise filtration steps on the core proteins, a total of four potential antigenic targets were identified. Utilizing their constituent CD4 and CD8 T-cell epitopes, a multi-epitope based subunit vaccine was computationally designed. Sequence-based analysis as well as structural characterization revealed the immunological effectiveness of this designed vaccine. Further molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy estimation with Toll-like receptor 2 indicated strong structural associations of the vaccine with the immune receptor. The promising results are encouraging and need to be validated by additional wet laboratory studies for confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Arshad Dar
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Saba Ismail
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Zubia Jamil
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Hafsa Aziz
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Khalid Muhammad
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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