Isolation of Kurthia gibsonii from non-gonorrheal urethritis: implications for the pathomechanism upon surveying the literature

Metabarcoding using nanopore sequencing enables identification of diverse and zoonotic vector-borne pathogens from neglected regions: A case study investigating dogs from Bhutan

The diversity and prevalence of canine vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in Bhutan have to date remained unexplored, whilst recent epidemiological surveys in other South Asian nations have found diseases caused by VBPs to be rife in local dog populations. Importantly, many of such VBPs can infect people as well, with a building body of evidence identifying potentially zoonotic rickettsial organisms infecting humans in Bhutan. Given the lack of data on canine pathogens in Bhutan we employed a suite of deep-sequencing metabarcoding methods using Oxford Nanopore Technologies' MinION™ device to holistically characterise the bacterial, apicomplexan and filarial worm blood-borne pathogens of dogs in the country's south. Of the 95 stray, owned and community dogs sampled 78% (95% CI = 69%-85%) were infected with at least one VBP. Pathogen species detected were highly diverse including the bacteria Mycoplasma haemocanis in 16% (95% CI: 10-24%), Ehrlichia canis in 4% (95% CI: 2-10%), Anaplasma platys in 2% (95% CI: 0.5-7%) of dogs as well as the zoonotic species Bartonella clarridgeiae in 1% (95% CI: 0.1-6%), a potentially novel Bartonella spp. and an Ehrlichia chaffeensis-like bacterium, both in 1% (95% CI: 0.1-6%) of dogs. The apicomplexan haemoparasites Hepatozoon canis in 62% (95% CI: 52-71%), Babesia gibsoni in 45% (95% CI: 36-55%) and Babesia vogeli in 3% (95% CI: 1-9%) of dogs were also detected. Finally, 5% (95% CI: 2-12%) of dogs were found to be infected with the filarioid Acanthocheilonema reconditum and 1% (95% CI: 0.1-6%) with zoonotic Dirofilaria sp. hongkongensis. One canine was found positive to the filarioid Setaria tundra, a species normally found infecting cervids. The elucidated diversity of VBP communities highlights the strength of assumption-free diagnostics, such as metabarcoding, in detecting rare, novel, and unexpected pathogens. This approach to identifying pathogen diversity is of critical importance when investigating regions and populations that have thus far been neglected, with the findings aiding the development of future One Health informed strategies for disease control.

Modulating butyric acid-producing bacterial community abundance and structure in the intestine of immunocompromised mice with neutral polysaccharides extracted from Codonopsis pilosula

Codonopsis pilosula, an important medicinal and edible plant in traditional Chinese medicine, is used widely as a tonifying herb for various immunodeficiency diseases. A neutral polysaccharide (CPPs-D1N1) was purified from C. pilosula, composed of fructose and glucose in a molar ratio of 97.28:2.72, with an average molecular weight of 5.985 kDa. Structural analysis revealed a backbone composed of →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2 → units with some β-D-Fruf-(2 → linkages. In a murine immunosuppression model induced by cyclophosphamide injection, oral treatment with C. pilosula polysaccharide was administered, investigating changes in gut microbiota during therapy. The polysaccharide modulated serum immunoglobulins (Ig-G, Ig-M), cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNFα), and spleen and thymus indices in immunodeficient mice. Additionally, functional gene primer sequencing enrichment methods revealed alterations in abundance, diversity, and structure of butyrate-producing bacterial populations in the gut, with primary differential genera identified as Butyribacter, Rumanococcus, Dysosmobacter, and Ruseburia. This study provides in vivo evidence supporting the beneficial effects of C. pilosula polysaccharide oral therapy in improving gut microbiota, particularly butyrate-producing bacteria, during treatment of immunosuppressive diseases.

Molecular characterization, antibiotic resistant pattern and biofilm forming potentiality of bacterial community associated with Ompok pabda fish farming in southwestern Bangladesh

Ompok pabda is gaining popularity in the aquaculture industry due to its increasing demand; however research on microbial diversity and antibiotic susceptibility remains limited. The present study was designed to identify the bacterial pathogens commonly found in the pabda farming system with their biofilm forming potential and antibiotic susceptibility. Different bacterial strains were isolated from water, sediments and gut, gill of pabda fish and the isolates were identified based on their morphological traits, biochemical and molecular analysis. Antibiotic susceptibilities, antibiotic resistance gene determination and biofilm formation capabilities were evaluated by disc diffusion method, PCR amplification and Microtiter plate (MTP) assay, respectively. The respective isolates of gill and gut of pabda aquaculture and their environments were: Exiguobacterium spp. (25 %), Enterococcus spp. (20 %), Bacillus spp. (10 %), Acinetobacter spp. (10 %), Enterobacter spp. (10 %), Aeromonas spp. (10 %), Lactococcus spp. (5 %), Klebsiella spp. (5 %) and Kurthia spp. (5 %). Antibiotic resistance frequencies were found to be relatively high, especially for trimethoprim (95 %), sulfafurazole (75 %), ampicillin (60 %), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (55 %), and cephradine (50 %). 30 % isolates were categorized as DR bacteria followed by 30 % isolates were MDR bacteria and 40 % were classified as XDR bacteria. Moreover, 4 antibiotic resistant genes were detected with sul1 (30 %), dfrA1 (10 %), tetC (40 %), and qnrA (5 %) of isolates. Based on the microtiter plate method, 20 %, 25 %, and 30 % of isolates were found to produce strong, moderate, and weak biofilms, respectively. The findings suggest that biofilm forming bacterial strains found in O. pabda fish farm may be a potential source of numerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The study sheds new light on antibiotic resistance genes, which are typically inherited by bacteria and play an important role in developing effective treatments or control strategies.

Draft genome sequence of multidrug-resistant Kurthia gibsonii strain Hakim RU_BHWE isolated from sewage water in Bangladesh

We have sequenced the genome of Kurthia gibsonii strain Hakim RU_BHWE, isolated from sewage water. The assembled genome consists of 2.891 Mb with 58.6883× coverage, presenting an average GC content of 36.60%. This genome includes 8 CRISPR arrays, 3 prophages, 3 antibiotic resistance genes, and 12 virulence factor genes.

Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals the Systematic Relationship Between Oral Homeostasis and Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Rats

Sleep disorders were associated with oral health. Inflammation has especially been thought to be a key factor in linking oral diseases and sleep deficiency. However, how chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) affects oral homeostasis, particularly oral inflammation and oral microbiota, is still unknown. This study aimed to uncover the systematic relationship between oral homeostasis and CSD in rats. The metabolomics in serum, proteomics in the tongue tissues, and microbiome analysis in the oral cavity in CSD rats were performed. Multi-omics data integration analysis was performed to uncover the systematic relationship between oral homeostasis and CSD through the weighted correlation network analysis. We found that CSD could lead to oral inflammation in rats. CSD significantly increased systemic inflammation by enhancing the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and inhibiting the serum level of IL-10. Serum levels of adrenocorticotropin hormone, corticosterone, and triiodothyronine were increased in CSD rats, and the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway was also found to be involved in the perturbation resulting from CSD, together suggesting the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis. CSD led to changes of oral microbiota composition, and g_Acinetobacter, Candidatus Chryseobacterium massiliae, and g_Moraxella were significantly correlated with multiple proteins in bacterial invasion of epithelial cells pathway, which may partially responsible for oral inflammation resulting from CSD. The changes of proteomic profiling expression caused by CSD in tongue tissues were mainly enriched in neurodegenerative diseases pathways and immune/inflammation-related pathways. Multi-omics analysis indicated that the inflammatory response-related modules were significantly correlated with the neurodegenerative disease-related module suggesting a possible link between neurodegenerative diseases and oral inflammation. Together, CSD induced oral inflammation and subtle changes on oral microbiota. Our study is helpful to further understand the role that oral homeostasis plays in the process by which CSD affects human health and disease.

Kurthia gibsonii, a novel opportunistic pathogen in poultry

Kurthia gibsonii (H. Kurth, 1883) was isolated on 10 unrelated laying hen farms over a period of 15 months. Farmers reported elevated morbidity and mortality rates, and suspected of colibacillosis based on the necropsy findings. The most frequently found lesions were perihepatitis, fibrinous peritonitis, salpingitis and oophoritis. Necropsy findings and bacteriological results allowed the diagnosis of colibacillosis. In addition, K. gibsonii was isolated from the ovarian follicles (44.44 %), liver (22.22%), peritoneum (16.67%), bone marrow (5.56%), spleen (5.56%), and duodenum (5.56%). On all farms, coinfection with E. coli was detected, while on some farms other common avian pathogens were found as well. In total, 18 K. gibsonii strains were identified and phylogenetically analysed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. The results showed some variability of the strains originating from the same farm, although the overall phylogenetic diversity was low, regardless of the geographical location of the farm, age of the flock or date of collection. Embryo lethality assay showed K. gibsonii is not able to cause a primary infection. We conclude that Kurthia gibsonii may play a role as an opportunistic pathogen for poultry. This is the first report of coinfection of Kurthia gibsonii and E. coli in laying hens.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021

These guidelines for the treatment of persons who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were updated by CDC after consultation with professionals knowledgeable in the field of STIs who met in Atlanta, Georgia, June 11-14, 2019. The information in this report updates the 2015 guidelines. These guidelines discuss 1) updated recommendations for treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis; 2) addition of metronidazole to the recommended treatment regimen for pelvic inflammatory disease; 3) alternative treatment options for bacterial vaginosis; 4) management of Mycoplasma genitalium; 5) human papillomavirus vaccine recommendations and counseling messages; 6) expanded risk factors for syphilis testing among pregnant women; 7) one-time testing for hepatitis C infection; 8) evaluation of men who have sex with men after sexual assault; and 9) two-step testing for serologic diagnosis of genital herpes simplex virus. Physicians and other health care providers can use these guidelines to assist in prevention and treatment of STIs.

Abietic acid ameliorates psoriasis-like inflammation and modulates gut microbiota in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Abietic acid (AA), an antibacterial terpenoid, was initially isolated from rosin which has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat psoriasis. In our previous works, we found that water-processed rosin (WPR) can alleviate imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice. However, the efficacy of AA, the main component of WPR, against psoriasis remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we confirmed the anti-psoriasis efficacy of AA (40 mg/kg daily for 7 days) in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation BALB/c mouse model by the psoriasis area severity index (PASI), flow cytometry, ELISA, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, we detected the relative abundance of gut microbe using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to validate whether AA modulate gut microbe.

RESULT

Oral administration of AA ameliorates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation through reducing PASI scores, regulating the balance of Th17/Treg cells in the mouse spleen, and downregulating the level of serum cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-17A, TGF-1β, and IL-23. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the relative abundance of gut bacteria related to inflammation, such as, Anaerotruncus and Christensenella at genus level were decreased, while Kurthia, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella at genus level were increased in AA group mice. Additionally, the correlation analysis illustrated that the key microbiota had a close relationship with the psoriasis-like inflammation related indexes.

CONCLUSION

AA might exert the anti-psoriasis effect via inhibiting Th17-related immune responses, hinting that it might be a candidate for treating psoriasis. Meanwhile, the alteration of intestinal microbiota by AA treatment is another possible explanation for the amelioration of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation.

Insights into the Microbiological Safety of Wooden Cutting Boards Used for Meat Processing in Hong Kong's Wet Markets: A Focus on Food-Contact Surfaces, Cross-Contamination and the Efficacy of Traditional Hygiene Practices

Hong Kong's wet markets play a crucial role in the country's supply of safe, fresh meat to satisfy the dietary needs of its population. Whilst food safety regulations have been introduced over the past few years to maintain the microbial safety of foods sold from these wet markets, it remains unclear whether the hygiene maintenance that is performed on the wooden cutting boards used for meat-processing is effective. In fact, hygiene maintenance may often be overlooked, and hygiene standards may be insufficient. If so, this may lead to the spread of harmful pathogens through cross-contamination, thereby causing severe risks to public health. The aim of this study was to determine the level of microbial transfer between wooden cutting boards and swine meat of various qualities, using 16S metagenomic sequencing, strain identification and biofilm screening of isolated strains. The results established that: (a) the traditional hygiene practices used for cleaning wooden cutting boards in Hong Kong's wet markets expose the surfaces to potentially harmful microorganisms; (b) the processing of microbially contaminated meat on cutting boards cleaned using traditional practices leads to cross-contamination; and (c) several potentially pathogenic microorganisms found on the cutting boards have good biofilm-forming abilities. These results reinforce the need to review the traditional methods used to clean wooden cutting boards after the processing of raw meat in Hong Kong' wet markets so as to prevent cross-contamination events. The establishment of proper hygiene protocols may reduce the spread of disease-causing microorganisms (including antibiotic-resistant microorganisms) in food-processing environments.

Genome Sequence of Kurthia Type Species Kurthia zopfii Strain ATCC 33403 T

The genome of the type strain of the Kurthia genus, Kurthia zopfii ATCC 33403, was sequenced. Nonpathogenic K. zopfii has been isolated from intestinal contents, fecal material, meats, meat products, milk, water, and air, including air at high altitudes.

The genome of the type strain of the Kurthia genus, Kurthia zopfii ATCC 33403, was sequenced. Nonpathogenic K. zopfii has been isolated from intestinal contents, fecal material, meats, meat products, milk, water, and air, including air at high altitudes. The predicted genome size is 2,878,279 bp, with 37.05% G+C content.

Differential Analysis of the Nasal Microbiome of Pig Carriers or Non-Carriers of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is presently regarded as an emerging zoonotic agent due to the spread of specific methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clones in pig farms. Studying the microbiota can be useful for the identification of bacteria that antagonize such opportunistic veterinary and zoonotic pathogen in animal carriers. The aim of this study was to determine whether the nasal microbiome of pig S. aureus carriers differs from that of non-carriers. The V3-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from nasal swabs of 44 S. aureus carriers and 56 non-carriers using the 454 GS FLX titanium system. Carriers and non-carriers were selected on the basis of quantitative longitudinal data on S. aureus carriage in 600 pigs sampled at 20 Danish herds included in two previous studies in Denmark. Raw sequences were analysed with the BION meta package and the resulting abundance matrix was analysed using the DESeq2 package in R to identify operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with differential abundance between S. aureus carriers and non-carriers. Twenty OTUs were significantly associated to non-carriers, including species with known probiotic potential and antimicrobial effect such as lactic acid-producing isolates described among Leuconostoc spp. and some members of the Lachnospiraceae family, which is known for butyrate production. Further 5 OTUs were significantly associated to carriage, including known pathogenic bacteria such as Pasteurella multocida and Klebsiella spp. Our results show that the nasal microbiome of pigs that are not colonized with S. aureus harbours several species/taxa that are significantly less abundant in pig carriers, suggesting that the nasal microbiota may play a role in the individual predisposition to S. aureus nasal carriage in pigs. Further research is warranted to isolate these bacteria and assess their possible antagonistic effect on S. aureus for the pursuit of new strategies to control MRSA in pig farming.

Kurthia gibsonii as a sexually transmitted zoonosis: From a neglected condition during World War II to a recent warning for sexually transmitted disease units

CONTEXT

Zoonotic sexual transmission.

AIMS

Identification of unknown microorganisms causing sexually transmitted zoonotic infection was a common effort of clinicians and the laboratory.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A male patient had recurring urethritis and balanitis after having repeated unprotected penetrative sexual intercourse with female piglets. He claimed allergy to metals and plastics. Routine microbiological tests were carried out.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Specimens from the urethra, glans, rectum, throat, urine, and blood were cultured. Subsequently, isolates were tested for their biochemical activity and antibiotic susceptibility.

RESULTS

Kurthia gibsonii was isolated from both urethra and glans. No other concomitant infection was detected. The patient was cured with oral cefuroxime for 15 days and topical gentamicin cream for 2 months.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported zoophilic infection by Kurthia spp. Fecal contamination of animals' genital tract was the possible source of infection. Immune disturbance of the patient might predispose to opportunistic Kurthia infection.