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Son Y, Jin YB, Cho EJ, Park AR, Flores RA, Nguyen BT, Lee SY, Altanzul B, Park KI, Min W, Kim WH. Comparative Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Characteristics of Two Major Enterococcus Species from Poultry Slaughterhouses in South Korea. Vet Sci 2024; 11:180. [PMID: 38668447 PMCID: PMC11054628 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040180] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus in the poultry industry poses significant public health challenges due to multidrug resistance and biofilm formation. We investigated the antibiotic resistance profiles and biofilm characteristics of E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates from chicken meat in poultry slaughterhouses in South Korea. Ninety-six isolates (forty-eight each of E. faecalis and E. faecium) were collected between March and September 2022. Both species were analyzed using MALDI-TOF, PCR, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and biofilm assays. A high level of multidrug resistance was observed in E. faecalis (95.8%) and E. faecium (93.8%), with E. faecium exhibiting a broader range of resistance, particularly to linezolid (52.1%) and rifampicin (47.9%). All E. faecalis isolates formed biofilm in vitro, showing stronger biofilm formation than E. faecium with a significant difference (p < 0.001) in biofilm strength. Specific genes (cob, ccf, and sprE) were found to be correlated with biofilm strength. In E. faecium isolates, biofilm strength was correlated with resistance to linezolid and rifampicin, while a general correlation between antibiotic resistance and biofilm strength was not established. Through analysis, correlations were noted between antibiotics within the same class, while no general trends were evident in other analyzed factors. This study highlights the public health risks posed by multidrug-resistant enterococci collected from poultry slaughterhouses, emphasizing the complexity of the biofilm-resistance relationship and the need for enhanced control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongwoo Son
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Yeung Bae Jin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Eun-Jeong Cho
- Gyeongnam Veterinary Service Laboratory, Jinju 52733, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.C.); (A.R.P.)
| | - Ae Ra Park
- Gyeongnam Veterinary Service Laboratory, Jinju 52733, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.C.); (A.R.P.)
| | - Rochelle A. Flores
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Binh T. Nguyen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Seung Yun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Bujinlkham Altanzul
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Kwang Il Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Wongi Min
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
| | - Woo H. Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (Y.S.); (Y.B.J.); (R.A.F.); (B.T.N.); (S.Y.L.); (B.A.); (K.I.P.); (W.M.)
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2
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Șchiopu P, Toc DA, Colosi IA, Costache C, Ruospo G, Berar G, Gălbău ȘG, Ghilea AC, Botan A, Pană AG, Neculicioiu VS, Todea DA. An Overview of the Factors Involved in Biofilm Production by the Enterococcus Genus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11577. [PMID: 37511337 PMCID: PMC10380289 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus species are known for their ability to form biofilms, which contributes to their survival in extreme environments and involvement in persistent bacterial infections, especially in the case of multi-drug-resistant strains. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying biofilm formation in clinically important species such as Enterococcus faecalis and the less studied but increasingly multi-drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and explores potential strategies for their eradication. Biofilm formation in Enterococcus involves a complex interplay of genes and virulence factors, including gelatinase, cytolysin, Secreted antigen A, pili, microbial surface components that recognize adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs), and DNA release. Quorum sensing, a process of intercellular communication, mediated by peptide pheromones such as Cob, Ccf, and Cpd, plays a crucial role in coordinating biofilm development by targeting gene expression and regulation. Additionally, the regulation of extracellular DNA (eDNA) release has emerged as a fundamental component in biofilm formation. In E. faecalis, the autolysin N-acetylglucosaminidase and proteases such as gelatinase and serin protease are key players in this process, influencing biofilm development and virulence. Targeting eDNA may offer a promising avenue for intervention in biofilm-producing E. faecalis infections. Overall, gaining insights into the intricate mechanisms of biofilm formation in Enterococcus may provide directions for anti-biofilm therapeutic research, with the purpose of reducing the burden of Enterococcus-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Șchiopu
- Department of Microbiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Pneumology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dan Alexandru Toc
- Department of Microbiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Alina Colosi
- Department of Microbiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Carmen Costache
- Department of Microbiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Giuseppe Ruospo
- Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - George Berar
- Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ștefan-Gabriel Gălbău
- Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Cristina Ghilea
- Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Botan
- Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adrian-Gabriel Pană
- Department of Microbiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad Sever Neculicioiu
- Department of Microbiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Doina Adina Todea
- Department of Pneumology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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3
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A bioanalytical screening method for Enterococcus faecalis RNPP-type quorum sensing peptides in murine feces. Bioanalysis 2022; 14:151-167. [PMID: 35014887 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2021-0225] [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: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bacteria coordinate their behavior as a group via communication with their peers, known as 'quorum sensing'. Enterococcus faecalis employs quorum sensing via RNPP-peptides which were not yet reported to be present in mammalian biofluids. Results: Solid phase extraction of murine feces was performed, followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode (in total <90 min/sample) for the nine known RNPP peptides. Limits of detection ranged between 0.045 and 52 nM. Adequate identification criteria allowed detection of RNPP quorum sensing peptides in 2/20 wild-type murine feces samples (i.e., cAM373 and cOB1). Conclusion: A fit-for-purpose UHPLC-MS/MS method detected these RNPP peptides in wild-type murine feces samples.
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4
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Sterling AJ, Snelling WJ, Naughton PJ, Ternan NG, Dooley JSG. Competent but complex communication: The phenomena of pheromone-responsive plasmids. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008310. [PMID: 32240270 PMCID: PMC7117660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococci are robust gram-positive bacteria that are found in a variety of surroundings and that cause a significant number of healthcare-associated infections. The genus possesses a high-efficiency pheromone-responsive plasmid (PRP) transfer system for genetic exchange that allows antimicrobial-resistance determinants to spread within bacterial populations. The pCF10 plasmid system is the best characterised, and although other PRP systems are structurally similar, they lack exact functional homologues of pCF10-encoded genes. In this review, we provide an overview of the enterococcal PRP systems, incorporating functional details for the less-well-defined systems. We catalogue the virulence-associated elements of the PRPs that have been identified to date, and we argue that this reinforces the requirement for elucidation of the less studied systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J. Sterling
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
- * E-mail:
| | - William J. Snelling
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
| | - Patrick J. Naughton
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
| | - Nigel G. Ternan
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
| | - James S. G. Dooley
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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5
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Gour S, Kumar V, Rana M, Yadav JK. Pheromone peptide cOB1 from native Enterococcus faecalis forms amyloid-like structures: A new paradigm for peptide pheromones. J Pept Sci 2019; 25:e3178. [PMID: 31317612 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pheromone peptides are an important component of bacterial quorum-sensing system. The pheromone peptide cOB1 (VAVLVLGA) of native commensal Enterococcus faecalis has also been identified as an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and reported to kill the prototype clinical isolate strain of E. faecalis V583. In this study, the pheromone peptide cOB1 has shown to form amyloid-like structures, a characteristic which is never reported for a pheromone peptide so far. With in silico analysis, the peptide was predicted to be highly amyloidogenic. Further, under experimental conditions, cOB1 formed aggregates displaying characteristics of amyloid structures such as bathochromic shift in Congo red absorbance, enhancement in thioflavin T fluorescence, and fibrillar morphology under transmission electron microscopy. This novel property of pheromone peptide cOB1 may have some direct effects on the binding of the pheromone to the receptor cells and subsequent conjugative transfer, making this observation more important for the therapeutics, dealing with the generation of virulent and multidrug-resistant pathogenic strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Gour
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8 Bandarsindri, Kishangarh Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8 Bandarsindri, Kishangarh Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Monika Rana
- Department of Chemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Jay Kant Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8 Bandarsindri, Kishangarh Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
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6
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Ayala DI, Cook PW, Franco JG, Bugarel M, Kottapalli KR, Loneragan GH, Brashears MM, Nightingale KK. A Systematic Approach to Identify and Characterize the Effectiveness and Safety of Novel Probiotic Strains to Control Foodborne Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1108. [PMID: 31156609 PMCID: PMC6533568 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 44 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains originally isolated from cattle feces and different food sources were screened for their potential probiotic features. The antimicrobial activity of all isolates was tested by well-diffusion assay and competitive exclusion on broth against Salmonella Montevideo, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes strain N1-002. Thirty-eight LAB strains showed antagonistic effect against at least one of the pathogens tested in this study. Improved inhibitory effect was observed against L. monocytogenes with zones of inhibition up to 24 mm when LAB overnight cultures were used, and up to 21 mm when cell-free filtrates were used. For E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella maximum inhibitions of 12 and 11.5 mm were observed, respectively. On broth, 43 strains reduced L. monocytogenes up to 9.06 log10 CFU/ml, 41 reduced E. coli O157:H7 up to 0.84 log10 CFU/ml, and 32 reduced Salmonella up to 0.94 log10 CFU/ml 24 h after co-inoculation. Twenty-eight LAB isolates that exhibited the highest inhibitory effect among pathogens were further analyzed to determine their antimicrobial resistance profile, adhesion potential, and cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells. All LAB strains tested were susceptible to ampicillin, linezolid, and penicillin. Twenty-six were able to adhere to Caco-2 cells, five were classified as highly adhesive with > 40 bacterial cells/Caco-2 cells. Low cytotoxicity percentages were observed for the candidate LAB strains with values ranging from -5 to 8%. Genotypic identification by whole genome sequencing confirmed all as members of the LAB group; Enterococcus was the genus most frequently isolated with 21 isolates, followed by Pediococcus with 4, and Lactobacillus with 3. In this study, a systematic approach was used for the improved identification of novel LAB strains able to exert antagonistic effect against important foodborne pathogens. Our findings suggest that the selected panel of LAB probiotic strains can be used as biocontrol cultures to inhibit and/or reduce the growth of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 in different matrices, and environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana I Ayala
- International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Peter W Cook
- International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jorge G Franco
- International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Marie Bugarel
- International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Kameswara R Kottapalli
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Guy H Loneragan
- International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Mindy M Brashears
- International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Kendra K Nightingale
- International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
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7
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Verbeke F, Debunne N, Janssens Y, Tack L, Wynendaele E, Rigole P, Coenye T, De Spiegeleer B. Detection and quantification of Enterococcus faecalis RNPP-type quorum sensing peptides in bacterial culture media by UHPLC-MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 160:55-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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8
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Chromatography of Quorum Sensing Peptides: An Important Functional Class of the Bacterial Peptidome. Chromatographia 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-017-3411-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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9
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Verbeke F, De Craemer S, Debunne N, Janssens Y, Wynendaele E, Van de Wiele C, De Spiegeleer B. Peptides as Quorum Sensing Molecules: Measurement Techniques and Obtained Levels In vitro and In vivo. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:183. [PMID: 28446863 PMCID: PMC5388746 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of certain bacterial genes is regulated in a cell-density dependent way, a phenomenon called quorum sensing. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria use this type of communication, though the signal molecules (auto-inducers) used by them differ between both groups: Gram-negative bacteria use predominantly N-acyl homoserine lacton (AHL) molecules (autoinducer-1, AI-1) while Gram-positive bacteria use mainly peptides (autoinducer peptides, AIP or quorum sensing peptides). These quorum sensing molecules are not only involved in the inter-microbial communication, but can also possibly cross-talk directly or indirectly with their host. This review summarizes the currently applied analytical approaches for quorum sensing identification and quantification with additionally summarizing the experimentally found in vivo concentrations of these molecules in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Verbeke
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Severine De Craemer
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Nathan Debunne
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Yorick Janssens
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van de Wiele
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, AZ GroeningeKortrijk, Belgium.,Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhent, Belgium
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10
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Woods SE, Lieberman MT, Lebreton F, Trowel E, de la Fuente-Núñez C, Dzink-Fox J, Gilmore MS, Fox JG. Characterization of Multi-Drug Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Cephalic Recording Chambers in Research Macaques (Macaca spp.). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169293. [PMID: 28081148 PMCID: PMC5231353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonhuman primates are commonly used for cognitive neuroscience research and often surgically implanted with cephalic recording chambers for electrophysiological recording. Aerobic bacterial cultures from 25 macaques identified 72 bacterial isolates, including 15 Enterococcus faecalis isolates. The E. faecalis isolates displayed multi-drug resistant phenotypes, with resistance to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, bacitracin, and erythromycin, as well as high-level aminoglycoside resistance. Multi-locus sequence typing showed that most belonged to two E. faecalis sequence types (ST): ST 4 and ST 55. The genomes of three representative isolates were sequenced to identify genes encoding antimicrobial resistances and other traits. Antimicrobial resistance genes identified included aac(6’)-aph(2”), aph(3’)-III, str, ant(6)-Ia, tetM, tetS, tetL, ermB, bcrABR, cat, and dfrG, and polymorphisms in parC (S80I) and gyrA (S83I) were observed. These isolates also harbored virulence factors including the cytolysin toxin genes in ST 4 isolates, as well as multiple biofilm-associated genes (esp, agg, ace, SrtA, gelE, ebpABC), hyaluronidases (hylA, hylB), and other survival genes (ElrA, tpx). Crystal violet biofilm assays confirmed that ST 4 isolates produced more biofilm than ST 55 isolates. The abundance of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factor genes in the ST 4 isolates likely relates to the loss of CRISPR-cas. This macaque colony represents a unique model for studying E. faecalis infection associated with indwelling devices, and provides an opportunity to understand the basis of persistence of this pathogen in a healthcare setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E. Woods
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mia T. Lieberman
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Francois Lebreton
- Departments of Ophthalmology, and Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Elise Trowel
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - César de la Fuente-Núñez
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge Massachusetts, United States of America
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Biophysics Program, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joanne Dzink-Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Gilmore
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James G. Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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11
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Gaca AO, Gilmore MS. Killing of VRE Enterococcus faecalis by commensal strains: Evidence for evolution and accumulation of mobile elements in the absence of competition. Gut Microbes 2016; 7:90-6. [PMID: 26939857 PMCID: PMC4856443 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2015.1127482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterococci are members of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and most animals that, over the past 3 decades, have emerged as leading causes of multidrug resistant hospital acquired infection (HAI). In addition to their general hardiness, many traits have entered enterococcal lineages through horizontal gene transfer, which has led to the evolution of pathogenic hospital-associated lineages uniquely adapted for survival and proliferation in the antibiotic perturbed ecology of the gastrointestinal tract. We recently observed that the accretion of mobile genetic elements in the prototype vancomycin resistant E. faecalis, clinical isolate V583, renders it unable to co-exist with native enterococci in healthy human fecal flora. In this addendum, we discuss how these findings inform our understanding of how multidrug resistant enterococci evolve, and the implications for the development of treatments that limit colonization and spread of highly antibiotic refractory microbes of this type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony O. Gaca
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael S. Gilmore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Pheromone killing of multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis V583 by native commensal strains. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:7273-8. [PMID: 26039987 PMCID: PMC4466700 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1500553112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant enterococci are leading causes of hospital infection. The antibiotic-perturbed patient gut serves as a staging ground—small numbers of resistant hospital strains colonize and then, greatly amplify in the colon. Little is known of the colonization principles involved—whether hospital strains are competitive or noncompetitive with commensal enterococci or whether mobile elements comprising over 25% of the genome of the former impose significant fitness costs. We unexpectedly found that the prototype vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis strain V583 was actively killed by fecal organisms, and we traced that to pheromone production by commensal enterococci that trigger lethal mobile element cross-talk. This work highlights the importance of maintaining commensal enterococci in the gut of the hospitalized patient. Multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis possess numerous mobile elements that encode virulence and antibiotic resistance traits as well as new metabolic pathways, often constituting over one-quarter of the genome. It was of interest to determine how this large accretion of mobile elements affects competitive growth in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract consortium. We unexpectedly observed that the prototype clinical isolate strain V583 was actively killed by GI tract flora, whereas commensal enterococci flourished. It was found that killing of V583 resulted from lethal cross-talk between accumulated mobile elements and that this cross-talk was induced by a heptapeptide pheromone produced by native E. faecalis present in the fecal consortium. These results highlight two important aspects of the evolution of multidrug-resistant enterococci: (i) the accretion of mobile elements in E. faecalis V583 renders it incompatible with commensal strains, and (ii) because of this incompatibility, multidrug-resistant strains sharing features found in V583 cannot coexist with commensal strains. The accumulation of mobile elements in hospital isolates of enterococci can include those that are inherently incompatible with native flora, highlighting the importance of maintaining commensal populations as means of preventing colonization and subsequent infection by multidrug-resistant strains.
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De Kwaadsteniet M, Fraser T, Van Reenen CA, Dicks LMT. Bacteriocin T8, a novel class IIa sec-dependent bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium T8, isolated from vaginal secretions of children infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 72:4761-6. [PMID: 16820469 PMCID: PMC1489345 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00436-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2006] [Accepted: 04/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium T8, isolated from vaginal secretions of children with human immunodeficiency virus, produces a class IIa sec-dependent bacteriocin that is structurally different from three other class IIa sec-dependent bacteriocins, i.e., enterocin P and an enterocin P-like bacteriocin, produced by Enterococcus faecium, and bacteriocin 31, produced by Enterococcus faecalis, and from a class III bacteriocin produced by E. faecalis. The genes encoding the bacteriocin, immunity protein, mobilization protein, and relaxase nuclease are located on a 7-kb plasmid. Bacteriocin T8 has a molecular mass of 5.1 kDa based on its DNA sequence, similar to the 5.0 kDa recorded for bacteriocin 31 but larger than the 4.6 kDa reported for enterocin P. At the amino acid level, bacteriocin T8 is 69% homologous to bacteriocin 31 and 47% homologous to enterocin P. Bacteriocin T8 is active against E. faecalis isolated from patients diagnosed with vaginosis, against Lactobacillus sakei, and against a Propionibacterium sp. The peptide is heat stable (60 min at 100 degrees C) and remains active in phosphate buffer from pH 4.0 to 10.0. The mode of activity is bactericidal, as determined with E. faecalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M De Kwaadsteniet
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Winans
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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Abstract
A novel class of extracellular signaling peptides has been identified in Gram-positive bacteria that are actively transported into the cell to interact with intracellular receptors. The defining members of this novel class of signaling peptides are the Phr peptides of Bacillus subtilis and the mating pheromones of Enterococcus faecalis. These peptides are small and unmodified, gene encoded, and secreted by the bacterium. Most of these peptides diffuse into the extracellular medium, and when their concentration is sufficiently high, they are then actively transported into the cell by an oligopeptide permease (Opp). Once inside the cell, these peptides interact with an array of intracellular receptors. In B. subtilis, the Phr peptides regulate development of environmentally resistant spores and genetically competent cells (i.e. the natural ability to take up exogenous DNA). In E. faecalis, the mating pheromones regulate cell-cell transfer of plasmids, many of which encode antibiotic resistance or virulence factors. At least one component of the signaling pathway for these peptides is conserved in many bacteria, Opp. Opp is a non-specific transporter that transports peptides for use as carbon and nitrogen sources. The possibility that other bacteria could possess similar intracellularly functioning signaling peptides is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Lazazzera
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Nakayama J, Takanami Y, Horii T, Sakuda S, Suzuki A. Molecular mechanism of peptide-specific pheromone signaling in Enterococcus faecalis: functions of pheromone receptor TraA and pheromone-binding protein TraC encoded by plasmid pPD1. J Bacteriol 1998; 180:449-56. [PMID: 9457843 PMCID: PMC106907 DOI: 10.1128/jb.180.3.449-456.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Conjugative transfer of the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pPD1 is activated by cPD1, one of several peptide sex pheromones secreted by plasmid-free recipient cells, and is blocked by a donor-produced peptide inhibitor, iPD1. Using a tritiated pheromone, [3H]cPD1, we investigated how pPD1-harboring donor cells receive these peptide signals. Donor cells rapidly incorporated [3H]cPD1. The cell extract but not the membrane fraction of the donor strain exhibited significant [3H]cPD1-binding activity. On the basis of these data and those of tracer studies, it was demonstrated that cPD1 was internalized, where it bound to a high-molecular-weight compound. The cell extract of a strain carrying the traA-bearing multicopy plasmid (pDLHH21) also exhibited high [3H]cPD1-binding activity. A recombinant TraA exhibited a dissociation constant of 0.49 +/- 0.08 nM against [3H]cPD1. iPD1 competitively inhibited [3H]cPD1 binding to TraA, whereas pheromones and inhibitors relating to other plasmid systems did not. These results show that TraA is a specific intracellular receptor for cPD1 and that iPD1 acts as an antagonist for TraA. A strain carrying the traC-bearing multicopy plasmid (pDLES23) exhibited significant [3H]cPD1-binding activity. A strain carrying traC-disrupted pPD1 (pAM351CM) exhibited lower [3H] cPD1-binding activity as well as lower sensitivity to cPD1 than a wild-type donor strain. Some of the other pheromones and inhibitors inhibited [3H]cPD1 binding to the traC transformant like cPD1 and iPD1 did. These results show that TraC, as an extracellular less-specific pheromone-binding protein, supports donor cells to receive cPD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nakayama
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan.
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