1
|
Konieczny K, Pomorska-Mól M. A Literature Review of Selected Bacterial Diseases in Alpacas and Llamas-Epidemiology, Clinical Signs and Diagnostics. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:45. [PMID: 38200776 PMCID: PMC10778254 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The breeding of South American Camelids (SACs), particularly llamas and alpacas, is becoming increasingly popular in regions that are not their natural habitat, including Europe. These animals are considered to be relatively disease resistant. However, due to their growing popularity, special attention should be given to infections in llamas and alpacas. Knowledge of bacterial infections is very important to veterinarians and breeders. Many of these diseases also have zoonotic potential, so these animals must be considered as sources of potential zoonotic infections. Due to the limited information on many diseases occurring in llamas and alpacas, veterinarians often rely on data collected in other animal species, focusing on cattle, sheep and horses. This work aims to summarise the knowledge of diseases caused by Clostridium spp., Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Manheimia haemolytica and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in llamas and alpacas, with particular attention to epidemiology, clinical signs and diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kacper Konieczny
- Department of Internal Diseases and Diagnostics, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou Z, Zhang T, Chen Y, Zhou X, Zhong Y, Liu H, Zhong Z, Hu Y, Liao F, Wang X, Peng G. Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots May Provide a Novel Potential Treatment for Antibiotic-Resistant Streptococcus agalactiae in Lama glama. Molecules 2023; 28:5115. [PMID: 37446776 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae is a significant pathogen that can affect both human beings and animals. The extensive current use of antibiotics has resulted in antibiotic resistance. In our previous research, we found that zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) had inhibitory effects on antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. In this study, a strain of Streptococcus agalactiaeWJYT1 with a broad antibiotic-resistant spectrum was isolated and identified from Lama glama at Sichuan Agricultural University Teaching Animal Hospital. The genome for the resistance and virulence genes was analyzed. Additionally, the antibacterial effects and anti-virulence mechanism of ZnO QDs for S. agalactiaeWJYT1 were investigated. The results showed that the genome of S. agalactiaeWJYT1 is 1,943,955 bp, containing 22 resistance genes and 95 virulence genes. ZnO QDs have a good antibacterial effect against S. agalactiaeWJYT1 by reducing bacterial growth and decreasing the expression of virulence genes, including bibA, hylB, sip, and cip, which provides a novel potential treatment for S. agalactiae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyao Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yixin Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhou
- Chengdu Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yalin Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Zhijun Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yanchun Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Fei Liao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
- Guizhou Vocational College of Agriculture, Qingzhen 551400, China
| | - Xianxiang Wang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Guangneng Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fatal Infection in an Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) Caused by Pathogenic Rhodococcus equi. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101303. [PMID: 35625149 PMCID: PMC9137691 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101303] [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: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Serious consequences of septicemic bacterial infections include the formation of purulent and pyogranulomatous inflammation resulting in abscesses in inner organs. Different bacteria are known to cause these infections in livestock. In this study, we report in detail on a case of a fatal Rhodococcus (R.) equi infection in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos), to our knowledge, for the first time. R. equi is a member of the actinomycetes, a bacterial group known to contain several pathogenic bacteria. R. equi primarily affects equine foals and other domestic animals, but also humans, which renders this bacterium a zoonotic agent. The rhodococcal infection of the alpaca reported herein caused septicemia, resulting in emaciation and severe lesions in the lungs and heart. The onset of infection was presumably caused by aspiration pneumonia, resulting in abscesses exclusively in the lungs. The R. equi isolate proved to be pathogenic, based on the virulence gene vapA encoding the virulence-associated protein A. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed a susceptibility to doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamycin, neomycin, rifampicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and vancomycin. This report of an R. equi infection in an alpaca makes clear that we still have knowledge gaps about bacterial infectious diseases in alpacas and potential zoonotic impacts. Therefore, the determination of pathogenic, zoonotic bacteria in alpacas is essential for treatment and preventive measures with respect to sustaining the health, welfare and productivity of this camelid species. Abstract Rhodococcus (R.) equi is a pathogen primarily known for infections in equine foals, but is also present in numerous livestock species including New World camelids. Moreover, R. equi is considered an emerging zoonotic pathogen. In this report, we describe in detail a fatal rhodococcal infection in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos), to our best knowledge, for the first time. The alpaca died due to a septicemic course of an R. equi infection resulting in emaciation and severe lesions including pyogranulomas in the lungs and pericardial effusion. The onset of the infection was presumably caused by aspiration pneumonia. R. equi could be isolated from the pyogranulomas in the lung and unequivocally identified by MALDI-TOF MS analysis and partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the rpoB gene. The isolate proved to possess the vapA gene in accordance with tested isolates originating from the lungs of infected horses. The R. equi isolates revealed low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC values) for doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamycin, neomycin, rifampicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and vancomycin in antibiotic susceptibility testing. Investigations on the cause of bacterial, especially fatal, septicemic infections in alpacas are essential for adequately addressing the requirements for health and welfare issues of this New World camelid species. Furthermore, the zoonotic potential of R. equi has to be considered with regard to the One Health approach.
Collapse
|
4
|
Tiruvayipati S, Tang WY, Barkham TMS, Chen SL. GBS-SBG - GBS Serotyping by Genome Sequencing. Microb Genom 2021; 7:000688. [PMID: 34895403 PMCID: PMC9842102 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) is the most common cause of neonatal meningitis and a rising cause of sepsis in adults. Recently, it has also been shown to cause foodborne disease. As with many other bacteria, the polysaccharide capsule of GBS is antigenic, enabling its use for strain serotyping. Recent advances in DNA sequencing have made sequence-based typing attractive (as has been implemented for several other bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex, Streptococcus pyogenes, and others). For GBS, existing WGS-based serotyping systems do not provide complete coverage of all known GBS serotypes (specifically including subtypes of serotype III), and none are simultaneously compatible with the two most common data types, raw short reads and assembled sequences. Here, we create a serotyping database (GBS-SBG, GBS Serotyping by Genome Sequencing), with associated scripts and running instructions, that can be used to call all currently described GBS serotypes, including subtypes of serotype III, using both direct short-read- and assembly-based typing. We achieved higher concordance using GBS-SBG on a previously reported data set of 790 strains. We further validated GBS-SBG on a new set of 572 strains, achieving 99.8% concordance with PCR-based molecular serotyping using either short-read- or assembly-based typing. The GBS-SBG package is publicly available and will hopefully accelerate and simplify serotyping by sequencing for GBS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suma Tiruvayipati
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Ying Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Swaine L. Chen
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore,Laboratory of Bacterial Genomics, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Genome #02-01, Singapore 138672,*Correspondence: Swaine L. Chen,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Volokhov DV, Zagorodnyaya TA, Shen Z, Blom J, Furtak VA, Eisenberg T, Fan P, Jeong KC, Gao Y, Zhang S, Amselle M. Streptococcus vicugnae sp. nov., isolated from faeces of alpacas ( Vicugna pacos) and cattle ( Bos taurus), Streptococcus zalophi sp. nov., and Streptococcus pacificus sp. nov., isolated from respiratory tract of California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 33999792 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Four novel independent strains of Streptococcus spp. were isolated from faeces of alpaca (SL1232T), cattle (KCJ4950), and from respiratory tract of wild California sea lions (CSL7508T, CSL7591T). The strains were indole-, oxidase- and catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile Gram-positive cocci in short and long chains, facultative anaerobes. The 16S rRNA gene of SL1232T and KCJ4950 shared 99.40-99.60% nucleotide similarity to strains of S. equinus, S. lutetiensis, S. infantarius, and the 16S rRNA gene of CSL7508T and CSL7591T demonstrated 98.72 and 98.92% similarity, respectively, to S. marimammalium. All other known Streptococcus species had the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of ≤95%. The genomes were sequenced for the novel strains. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis for strains SL1232T and KCJ4950, showed the highest similarity to S. equinus, S. lutetiensis, and S. infantarius with 85.21, 87.17, 88.47, 85.54, 87.47 and 88.89%, respectively, and strains CSL7508T and CSL7591T to S. marimammalium with 87.16 and 83.97%, respectively. Results of ANI were confirmed by pairwise digital DNA-DNA hybridization and phylogeny, which also revealed that the strains belong to three novel species of the genus Streptococcus. Phenotypical features of the novel species were in congruence with closely related members of the genus Streptococcus and gave negative reactions with the tested Lancefield serological groups (A-D, F and G). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry supported identification of the species. Based on these data, we propose three novel species of the genus Streptococcus, for which the name Streptococcus vicugnae sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain SL1232T (=NCTC 14341T=DSM 110741T=CCUG 74371T), Streptococcus zalophi sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain CSL7508T (=NCTC 14410T=DSM 110742T=CCUG 74374T) and Streptococcus pacificus sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain CSL7591T (=NCTC 14455T=DSM 111148T=CCUG 74655T). The genome G+C content is 36.89, 34.85, and 35.34 % and draft genome sizes are 1906993, 1581094 and 1656080 bp for strains SL1232T, CSL7508T, and CSL7591T, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy V Volokhov
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Tatiana A Zagorodnyaya
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Zhenyu Shen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, 901 East Campus Loop, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich Buff Ring 58, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vyacheslav A Furtak
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Tobias Eisenberg
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 89-91, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), Department of Veterinary Medicine, Schubertstrasse 60, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Peixin Fan
- Department of Animal Sciences, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kwangcheol Casey Jeong
- Department of Animal Sciences, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Yamei Gao
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Shuping Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, 901 East Campus Loop, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Megan Amselle
- American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rudenko P, Sachivkina N, Vatnikov Y, Shabunin S, Engashev S, Kontsevaya S, Karamyan A, Bokov D, Kuznetsova O, Vasilieva E. Role of microorganisms isolated from cows with mastitis in Moscow region in biofilm formation. Vet World 2021; 14:40-48. [PMID: 33642784 PMCID: PMC7896911 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.40-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Mastitis is one of the most important diseases of cows and the most expensive pathology for the dairy industry. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the role of microorganisms isolated from cows with mastitis in the formation of biofilms under the conditions of farm biogeocenosis in the Moscow region. Materials and Methods Periodic visits to 12 farms in the Moscow region were conducted to explore the microbial profile of the udder of cows with mastitis. During the visits, 103 milk samples from sick animals were collected and examined. Through microbiological analyses, 486 cultures of microorganisms were identified, which are assigned to 11 genera. Mastitis in cows is caused not only by a single pathogen but also by microbial associations, which included two to seven microbial isolates. Results It was observed that 309 isolates (63.6%) from the total number of isolated microorganisms could form a biofilm. The ability to form biofilms was most frequently observed in Staphylococcus aureus (18.8%), Escherichia coli (11.9%), and Staphylococcus uberis (11.7%) cultures from the total number of biofilm-forming microbial cultures. Low biofilm-forming ability among the isolated microorganisms was found in lactobacilli, wherein only 20 (22.5%) Lactobacillus strains had the ability to form biofilms. The isolated microorganisms exhibited different sensitivities to antimicrobial agents, which cause difficulty in selecting an antimicrobial agent that would act on all aspects of the parasitocenosis. Conclusion A high proportion of microorganisms isolated from cows with mastitis have the ability to form biofilms. The isolated microorganisms exhibited different and highly heterogeneous sensitivity to the action of antimicrobial drugs. This causes difficulty in using these tools for the effective control of mastitis in cows, which is frequently caused by pathogenic associations of microbial biofilms. Therefore, it is important to explore novel and more effective methods to combat this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Rudenko
- Biological Testing Laboratory, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Region, Russia.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadezhda Sachivkina
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yury Vatnikov
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Shabunin
- Russian Research Veterinary Institute of Pathology, Pharmacology, and Therapy of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Voronezh, Russia
| | - Sergey Engashev
- Department of Parasitology and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise, Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology - MVA named after K.I. Skryabin, Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana Kontsevaya
- Department of Non-communicable Diseases, Belgorod State Agricultural University, Belgorod, Russia
| | - Arfenia Karamyan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Bokov
- Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Kuznetsova
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Vasilieva
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
El Tigani-Asil ETA, Abdelwahab GE, Veedu JTVP, Khalafalla AI, Mohamed ZSA, Ishag HZA, Shah AAM, Alhosani MAA, Al Muhairi SSM. Gangrenous mastitis in dromedary camels in UAE caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:174. [PMID: 32493341 PMCID: PMC7271422 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02382-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mastitis is a disease of economic concern that affects dairy industry worldwide. This study aimed to investigate and identify possible etiologies encountered in an episode of acute gangrenous mastitis in lactating she-camels in Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Beside the routine clinical examination, conventional bacteriological methods were used to isolate and identify possible aerobic/anaerobic bacterial or fungal pathogens from cultured milk samples collected from the mastitic she-camels. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis strains, and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to confirm the isolation. The isolates were also tested for their susceptibility to antimicrobials. RESULTS Acute gangrenous mastitis is reported in the dromedary camel herd with about 80% morbidity rate among lactating she-camels exhibited acute, painful hard swelling of affected teat, quarter or entire udder. About 41.7% of the infected animals were stamped out for culling due to complete or partial amputation of udder quarters. Streptococcus agalactiae was the sole isolated organism (6 isolates). The antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that, the Streptococcus agalactiae isolates were sensitive to both penicillin and ampicillin. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing results by BLASTN confirmed the presence of Streptococcus agalactiae with high confidence (100% identity). Phylogenetic analysis indicated clustering of one isolate (CMAUAE accession number; MN267805.1) with Streptococcus agalactiae that infects multi-hosts including humans, while strains (CMBUAE to CMFUAE with accession numbers; MN267806.1 to MN267810.1 respectively) clustered with Streptococcus agalactiae that infects humans. No Mycoplasma spp was detected by qPCR analysis. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, the Streptococcus agalactiae was found to be the main cause of acute gangrenous mastitis in dromedary camels in UAE. More research should be done to investigate other possible causes of clinical or subclinical mastitis in dromedary camels in UAE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- El Tigani Ahmed El Tigani-Asil
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ghada Elderdiri Abdelwahab
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Abdelmalik Ibrahim Khalafalla
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Zayed Saud Abdullah Mohamed
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hassan Zackaria Ali Ishag
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Asma Abdi Mohamed Shah
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Ali Abdulla Alhosani
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salama Suhail Mohammed Al Muhairi
- Veterinary laboratories, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen SL. Genomic Insights Into the Distribution and Evolution of Group B Streptococcus. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1447. [PMID: 31316488 PMCID: PMC6611187 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a bacteria with truly protean biology. It infects a variety of hosts, among which the most commonly studied are humans, cattle, and fish. GBS holds a singular position in the history of bacterial genomics, as it was the substrate used to describe one of the first major conceptual advances of comparative genomics, the idea of the pan-genome. In this review, I describe a brief history of GBS and the major contributions of genomics to understanding its genome plasticity and evolution as well as its molecular epidemiology, focusing on the three hosts mentioned above. I also discuss one of the major recent paradigm shifts in our understanding of GBS evolution and disease burden: foodborne GBS can cause invasive infections in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Swaine L Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Infectious Diseases Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|