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Ai L, Qi Y, Hu Y, Zhu C, Liu K, Li F, Ye F, Dai H, Wu Y, Kuai Q, Nie D, Shan L, Zhang Y, Wang C, Tan W. The epidemiological and infectious characteristics of novel types of Coxiella burnetii co-infected with Coxiella-like microorganisms from Xuyi County, Jiangsu province, China. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:1041. [PMID: 39333956 PMCID: PMC11430510 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09924-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever, a type of zoonoses withwidespread distribution. In 2019, a case of Q fever was diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) method in Xuyi County (Jiangsu province, China). The seroprevalence of previous fever patients and the molecular epidemiology of Coxiella in wild hedgehogs and harbouring ticks around the confirmed patient were detected to reveal the genetic characteristics and pathogenicity of the Coxiella strains. Four of the 90 serum samples (4.44%) were positive for specific C. burnetii IgM antibody, suggesting that local humans are at risk of Q fever. The positive rates of C. burnetii in hedgehogs and ticks were 21.9% (7/32) and 70.5% (122/173), respectively. At least 3 strains of Coxiella were found prevalent in the investigated area, including one new genotype of pathogenic C. burnetii (XYHT29) and two non-pathogenic Coxiella-like organisms (XYHT19 and XYHT3). XYHT29 carried by ticks and wild hedgehogs successfully infected mice, imposing a potential threat to local humans. XYHT19, a novel Coxiella-like microorganism, was first discovered in the world to co-infect with C. burnetii in Haemaphysalis flava. The study provided significant epidemic information that could be used for prevention and control strategies against Q fever for local public health departments and medical institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Ai
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Qi
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Changqiang Zhu
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kangle Liu
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Li
- Yancheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yancheng, China
| | - Fuqiang Ye
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Han Dai
- Eastern Theater General Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiyuan Kuai
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Danyue Nie
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Laiyou Shan
- Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Changjun Wang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Weilong Tan
- Nanjing Bioengineer (Gene) Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China.
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Grostieta E, Zazueta-Islas HM, Cruz-Valdez T, Ballados-González GG, Álvarez-Castillo L, García-Esparza SM, Cruz-Romero A, Romero-Salas D, Aguilar-Domínguez M, Becker I, Sánchez-Montes S. Molecular detection of Coxiella-like endosymbionts and absence of Coxiella burnetii in Amblyomma mixtum from Veracruz, Mexico. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:113-125. [PMID: 36244047 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00748-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate ectoparasites associated with a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic animals. Moreover, ticks are capable of transmitting many pathogens such as Coxiella. To date, Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of coxiellosis or Q fever, is the only valid species of the genera. Nevertheless, a wide range of agents denominated Coxiella-like have been detected in recent studies, mainly associated with ticks. The pathogenicity of these Coxiella-like agents is controversial as some of them can infect both birds and humans. In Mexico, knowledge about Q fever is scarce and limited to historical serological records, and there is an overall lack of molecular proof of any agent of the genus Coxiella circulating in the country. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in all 10 regions of Veracruz, Mexico. To accomplish this objective, first, we identified ticks collected from cattle and horses in Veracruz. Then, for Coxiella detection, DNA extraction from ticks and PCR amplification of the 16S-rDNA of Coxiella was performed. Finally, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction to determine the Coxiella lineages detected. From the 10 regions sampled we collected 888 ticks grouped in 180 pools, and only five Amblyomma mixtum from the locality of Castán, and one from Los Angeles from Tuxpan were found positive, which represents a frequency of 20% for each locality. This study represents the first attempt at molecular detection of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in the state of Veracruz, the major livestock producer in the country. The findings of the present study are relevant as they establish a precedent regarding the circulation of Coxiella-like agents, as well as the absence in three municipalities of the state of Veracruz of C. burnetii, an abortive agent of livestock importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Grostieta
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Héctor M Zazueta-Islas
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Timoteo Cruz-Valdez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
| | - Gerardo G Ballados-González
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Lucía Álvarez-Castillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Sandra M García-Esparza
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Anabel Cruz-Romero
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Dora Romero-Salas
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Mariel Aguilar-Domínguez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México.
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México.
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
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Rapid and Visual Detection of Coxiella burnetii Using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Combined with Lateral Flow Strips. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:6417354. [PMID: 29850545 PMCID: PMC5925019 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6417354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, a global-distributed biological warfare agent, is the causative agent of Q fever. Correct diagnosis of Q fever is challenging and developing a fast, simple, and reliable detection method is necessary. In this study, recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay combined with lateral flow (LF) test was developed targeting 23S rRNA gene of C. burnetii Xinqiao strain. Primers and probe were designed and synthesized, with one set with high amplification efficiency screened for establishment of the method. Reaction conditions were optimized. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were evaluated. The established RPA-LF reaction could be completed in 30 minutes by combining RPA at 37°C with LF at room temperature, with visually judged results. The method showed good specificity without recognizing other bacteria evaluated. It detected positive plasmid and genomic DNA at levels of 10 copies/reaction and 7 copies/reaction, respectively, levels comparable to that of real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) targeting 23S rRNA gene established previously. Both RPA-LF and RT-qPCR were used to detect C. burnetii-infected mouse samples and the results were fully consistent. The method showed superior detection performance and will provide technical support against C. burnetii in resources-limited areas.
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Xiong X, Jiao J, Gregory AE, Wang P, Bi Y, Wang X, Jiang Y, Wen B, Portnoy DA, Samuel JE, Chen C. Identification of Coxiella burnetii CD8+ T-Cell Epitopes and Delivery by Attenuated Listeria monocytogenes as a Vaccine Vector in a C57BL/6 Mouse Model. J Infect Dis 2017; 215:1580-1589. [PMID: 27703037 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a gram-negative bacterium that causes acute and chronic Q fever. Because of the severe adverse effect of whole-cell vaccination, identification of immunodominant antigens of C. burnetii has become a major focus of Q fever vaccine development. We hypothesized that secreted C. burnetii type IV secretion system (T4SS) effectors may represent a major class of CD8+ T-cell antigens, owing to their cytosolic localization. Twenty-nine peptides were identified that elicited robust CD8+ T-cell interferon γ (IFN-γ) recall responses from mice infected with C. burnetii. Interestingly, 22 of 29 epitopes were derived from 17 T4SS-related proteins, none of which were identified as immunodominant antigens by using previous antibody-guided approaches. These epitopes were expressed in an attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vaccine strain. Immunization with recombinant L. monocytogenes vaccines induced a robust CD8+ T-cell response and conferred measurable protection against C. burnetii infection in mice. These data suggested that T4SS effectors represent an important class of C. burnetii antigens that can induce CD8+ T-cell responses. We also showed that attenuated L. monocytogenes vaccine vectors are an efficient antigen-delivery platform that can be used to induce robust protective CD8+ T-cell immune responses against C. burnetii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Anthony E Gregory
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, 105th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Hefei, China
| | - Yujing Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Yongqiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Bohai Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Daniel A Portnoy
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley
| | - James E Samuel
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley
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Xiong X, Wang X, Wen B, Graves S, Stenos J. Potential serodiagnostic markers for Q fever identified in Coxiella burnetii by immunoproteomic and protein microarray approaches. BMC Microbiol 2012; 12:35. [PMID: 22420424 PMCID: PMC3386016 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever. The clinical diagnosis of Q fever is mainly based on several serological tests. These tests all need Coxiella organisms which are difficult and hazardous to culture and purify. Results An immunoproteomic study of C. burnetii Xinqiao strain isolated in China was conducted with the sera from experimentally infected BALB/c mice and Q fever patients. Twenty of whole proteins of Xinqiao recognized by the infection sera were identified by mass spectrometry. Nineteen of the 20 proteins were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and used to fabricate a microarray which was probed with Q fever patient sera. As a result, GroEL, YbgF, RplL, Mip, OmpH, Com1, and Dnak were recognized as major seroreactive antigens. The major seroreactive proteins were fabricated in a small microarray and further analyzed with the sera of patients with rickettsial spotted fever, Legionella pneumonia or streptococcal pneumonia. In this analysis, these proteins showed fewer cross-reactions with the tested sera. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that these 7 Coxiella proteins gave a modest sensitivity and specificity for recognizing of Q fever patient sera, suggesting that they are potential serodiagnostic markers for Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Dong-dia-jie, Beijing 100071, China
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Wang Y, Xiong X, Wu D, Wang X, Wen B. Efficient activation of T cells by human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (HMDCs) pulsed with Coxiella burnetii outer membrane protein Com1 but not by HspB-pulsed HMDCs. BMC Immunol 2011; 12:52. [PMID: 21888659 PMCID: PMC3179940 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-12-52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 09/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium and the etiologic agent of Q fever; both coxiella outer membrane protein 1 (Com1) and heat shock protein B (HspB) are its major immunodominant antigens. It is not clear whether Com1 and HspB have the ability to mount immune responses against C. burnetii infection. RESULTS The recombinant proteins Com1 and HspB were applied to pulse human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (HMDCs), and the pulsed HMDCs were used to stimulate isogenic T cells. Com1-pulsed HMDCs expressed substantially higher levels of surface molecules (CD83, CD40, CD80, CD86, CD54, and CD58) and a higher level of interleukin-12 than HspB-pulsed HMDCs. Moreover, Com1-pulsed HMDCs induced high-level proliferation and activation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells, which expressed high levels of T-cell activation marker CD69 and inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α. In contrast, HspB-pulsed HMDCs were unable to induce efficient T-cell proliferation and activation. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that Com1-pulsed HMDCs are able to induce efficient T-cell proliferation and drive T cells toward Th1 and Tc1 polarization; however, HspB-pulsed HMDCs are unable to do so. Unlike HspB, Com1 is a protective antigen, which was demonstrated by the adoptive transfer of Com1-pulsed bone marrow dendritic cells into naive BALB/c mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
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Wei Y, Wang X, Xiong X, Wen B. Coxiella burnetii antigen-stimulated dendritic cells mediated protection against Coxiella burnetii in BALB/c mice. J Infect Dis 2011; 203:283-91. [PMID: 21288829 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiq037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of human Q fever. In this study, adaptive transfer of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) stimulated with C. burnetii antigen, phase I whole-cell antigen (PIAg), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-removed PIAg (PIIAg), protein antigen Com1, or SecB significantly reduced coxiella burden in recipient mice compared with control mice. Mice that received PIIAg-pulsed BMDCs displayed substantially lower coxiella burden than recipient mice of PIAg-pulsed BMDCs after C burnetii challenge. The protection offered by the antigen-activated BMDCs was correlated with the increased proliferation of helper T (T(H)) T(H)1 CD4(+) cells, preferential development of T(H)17 cells, and impaired expansion of regulatory T lymphocytes. Our results suggest that PIIAg is far superior to PIAg in activating BMDCs to confer protection against C. burnetii in vivo, whereas Com1 and SecB are protective antigens because Com1- or SecB-pulsed BMDCs confer partial protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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