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Tölken LA, Neufend JV, Oppegaard O, Methling K, Moll K, Redanz S, Katsburg MMD, Ali MQ, Shumba P, Kreikemeyer B, Skrede S, Fulde M, Norrby-Teglund A, Lalk M, Kittang BR, Siemens N. Streptokinase reduces Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis biofilm formation. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:378. [PMID: 39350011 PMCID: PMC11440690 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03540-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) is increasingly recognized as an emerging cause of invasive diseases including necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs). In contrast to the closely related Streptococcus pyogenes, SDSE infections mainly affect older and comorbid patients. Biofilm formation has been demonstrated in soft tissue biopsies of S. pyogenes NSTI cases. RESULTS Here, we show that bacterial aggregations indicative of biofilms are also present in SDSE NSTI. Although streptokinase (Ska) activity and biofilm formation did not correlate in a diverse set of clinical SDSE isolates, addition of exogenous Ska at an early time point prevented biofilm formation for selected strains. Deletion of ska in SDSE S118 strain resulted in increased biofilm forming capacity. Ska-deficient mutant strain was characterized by a higher metabolic activity and consequent metabolome profiling of biofilms identified higher deposition of a wide range of metabolites as compared to the wild-type. CONCLUSIONS Our results argue that Ska suppresses biofilm formation in SDSE independent of its original plasminogen converting activity. However, the impact of biofilms and its consequences for patient outcomes in streptococcal NSTIs remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea A Tölken
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Janine V Neufend
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oddvar Oppegaard
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Karen Methling
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry and Metabolomics, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kirsten Moll
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sylvio Redanz
- Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Miriam M D Katsburg
- Center for Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Murtadha Q Ali
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Patience Shumba
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Bernd Kreikemeyer
- Institute for Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Steinar Skrede
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Marcus Fulde
- Center for Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Norrby-Teglund
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Lalk
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry and Metabolomics, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Bård R Kittang
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nikolai Siemens
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
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2
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Lacey JA, Bennett J, James TB, Hines BS, Chen T, Lee D, Sika-Paotonu D, Anderson A, Harwood M, Tong SY, Baker MG, Williamson DA, Moreland NJ. A worldwide population of Streptococcus pyogenes strains circulating among school-aged children in Auckland, New Zealand: a genomic epidemiology analysis. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2024; 42:100964. [PMID: 38035130 PMCID: PMC10684382 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a serious post-infectious sequala of Group A Streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes). In New Zealand (NZ) ARF is a major cause of health inequity. This study describes the genomic analysis of GAS isolates associated with childhood skin and throat infections in Auckland NZ. Methods Isolates (n = 469) collected between March 2018 and October 2019 from the throats and skin of children (5-14 years) underwent whole genomic sequencing. Equal representation across three ethnic groups was ensured through sample quotas with isolates obtained from Indigenous Māori (n = 157, 33%), NZ European/Other (n = 149, 32%) and Pacific Peoples children (n = 163, 35%). Using in silico techniques isolates were classified, assessed for diversity, and examined for distribution differences between groups. Comparisons were also made with GAS strains identified globally. Findings Genomic analysis revealed a diverse population consisting of 65 distinct sequence clusters. These sequence clusters spanned 49 emm-types, with 11 emm-types comprised of several, distinct sequence clusters. There is evidence of multiple global introductions of different lineages into the population, as well as local clonal expansion. The M1UK lineage comprised 35% of all emm1 isolates. Interpretation The GAS population was characterized by a high diversity of strains, resembling patterns observed in low- and middle-income countries. However, strains associated with outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance commonly found in high-income countries were also observed. This unique combination poses challenges for vaccine development, disease management and control. Funding The work was supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC), award number 16/005.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake A. Lacey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie Bennett
- The Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
- The Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Taylah B. James
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin S. Hines
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tiffany Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Darren Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Anneka Anderson
- Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Matire Harwood
- Department of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Steven Y.C. Tong
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael G. Baker
- The Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
- The Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Department of Infectious Diseases at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole J. Moreland
- The Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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3
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Qiu J, Zhou Q, Ye W, Chen Q, Bao YJ. SweepCluster: A SNP clustering tool for detecting gene-specific sweeps in prokaryotes. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:19. [PMID: 34991447 PMCID: PMC8734265 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-021-04533-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gene-specific sweep is a selection process where an advantageous mutation along with the nearby neutral sites in a gene region increases the frequency in the population. It has been demonstrated to play important roles in ecological differentiation or phenotypic divergence in microbial populations. Therefore, identifying gene-specific sweeps in microorganisms will not only provide insights into the evolutionary mechanisms, but also unravel potential genetic markers associated with biological phenotypes. However, current methods were mainly developed for detecting selective sweeps in eukaryotic data of sparse genotypes and are not readily applicable to prokaryotic data. Furthermore, some challenges have not been sufficiently addressed by the methods, such as the low spatial resolution of sweep regions and lack of consideration of the spatial distribution of mutations. RESULTS We proposed a novel gene-centric and spatial-aware approach for identifying gene-specific sweeps in prokaryotes and implemented it in a python tool SweepCluster. Our method searches for gene regions with a high level of spatial clustering of pre-selected polymorphisms in genotype datasets assuming a null distribution model of neutral selection. The pre-selection of polymorphisms is based on their genetic signatures, such as elevated population subdivision, excessive linkage disequilibrium, or significant phenotype association. Performance evaluation using simulation data showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the clustering algorithm in SweepCluster is above 90%. The application of SweepCluster in two real datasets from the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus suis showed that the impact of pre-selection was dramatic and significantly reduced the uninformative signals. We validated our method using the genotype data from Vibrio cyclitrophicus, the only available dataset of gene-specific sweeps in bacteria, and obtained a concordance rate of 78%. We noted that the concordance rate could be underestimated due to distinct reference genomes and clustering strategies. The application to the human genotype datasets showed that SweepCluster is also applicable to eukaryotic data and is able to recover 80% of a catalog of known sweep regions. CONCLUSION SweepCluster is applicable to a broad category of datasets. It will be valuable for detecting gene-specific sweeps in diverse genotypic data and provide novel insights on adaptive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Weicai Ye
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Computational Science, and National Engineering Laboratory for Big Data Analysis and Application, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Qianjun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
| | - Yun-Juan Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
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Li Y, Dominguez S, Nanduri SA, Rivers J, Mathis S, Li Z, McGee L, Chochua S, Metcalf BJ, Van Beneden CA, Beall B, Miller L. Genomic Characterization of Group A Streptococci Causing Pharyngitis and Invasive Disease in Colorado, USA, June 2016 - April 2017. J Infect Dis 2021; 225:1841-1851. [PMID: 34788828 PMCID: PMC9125432 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genomic features and transmission link of circulating Group A streptococcus (GAS) strains causing different disease types, such as pharyngitis and invasive disease, are not well understood. METHODS We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize GAS isolates recovered from persons with pharyngitis and invasive disease in the Denver metropolitan area from June 2016 to April 2017. RESULTS GAS isolates were cultured from 236 invasive and 417 pharyngitis infections. WGS identified 34 emm types. Compared to pharyngitis isolates, invasive isolates were more likely to carry the erm family genes (23% vs. 7.4%, p<0.001), which confer resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin (including inducible resistance), and covS gene inactivation (7% vs. 0.5%, p<0.001). WGS identified 97 genomic clusters (433 isolates; 2-65 isolates per cluster) that consisted of genomically closely related isolates (median SNP (IQR) = 3 (1-4) within cluster). Thirty genomic clusters (200 isolates; 31% of all isolates) contained both pharyngitis and invasive isolates and were found in 11 emm types. CONCLUSIONS In the Denver metropolitan population, mixed disease types were commonly seen in clusters of closely related isolates, indicative of overlapping transmission networks. Antibiotic-resistance and covS inactivation was disproportionally associated with invasive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Samuel Dominguez
- University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora, CO, USA; Children's Hospital Colorado Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Srinivas A Nanduri
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joy Rivers
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Saundra Mathis
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhongya Li
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lesley McGee
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sopio Chochua
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Benjamin J Metcalf
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chris A Van Beneden
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bernard Beall
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lisa Miller
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Ayinuola O, Ayinuola YA, Qiu C, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Castellino FJ. Binding of the kringle-2 domain of human plasminogen to streptococcal PAM-type M-protein causes dissociation of PAM dimers. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1252. [PMID: 34964287 PMCID: PMC8633249 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The direct binding of human plasminogen (hPg), via its kringle-2 domain (K2hPg ), to streptococcal M-protein (PAM), largely contributes to the pathogenesis of Pattern D Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). However, the mechanism of complex formation is unknown. In a system consisting of a Class II PAM from Pattern D GAS isolate NS88.2 (PAMNS88.2 ), with one K2hPg binding a-repeat in its A-domain, we employed biophysical techniques to analyze the mechanism of the K2hPg /PAMNS88.2 interaction. We show that apo-PAMNS88.2 is a coiled-coil homodimer (M.Wt. ~80 kDa) at 4°C-25°C, and is monomeric (M.Wt. ~40 kDa) at 37°C, demonstrating a temperature-dependent dissociation of PAMNS88.2 over a narrow temperature range. PAMNS88.2 displayed a single tight binding site for K2hPg at 4°C, which progressively increased at 25°C through 37°C. We isolated the K2hPg /PAMNS88.2 complexes at 4°C, 25°C, and 37°C and found molecular weights of ~50 kDa at each temperature, corresponding to a 1:1 (m:m) K2hPg /PAMNS88.2 monomer complex. hPg activation experiments by streptokinase demonstrated that the hPg/PAMNS88.2 monomer complexes are fully functional. The data show that PAM dimers dissociate into functional monomers at physiological temperatures or when presented with the active hPg module (K2hPg ) showing that PAM is a functional monomer at 37°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olawole Ayinuola
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene ResearchUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | - Yetunde A. Ayinuola
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene ResearchUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | - Cunjia Qiu
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene ResearchUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | - Shaun W. Lee
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene ResearchUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | - Victoria A. Ploplis
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene ResearchUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | - Francis J. Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene ResearchUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
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6
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The RD2 Pathogenicity Island Modifies the Disease Potential of the Group A Streptococcus. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0072220. [PMID: 33820819 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00722-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotype M28 isolates of the group A Streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) are nonrandomly associated with cases of puerperal sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection that can occur in women following childbirth. Previously, we discovered that the 36.3-kb RD2 pathogenicity island, which is present in serotype M28 isolates but lacking from most other isolates, promotes the ability of M28 GAS to colonize the female reproductive tract. Here, we performed a gain-of-function study in which we introduced RD2 into representative serotype M1, M49, and M59 isolates and assessed the phenotypic consequences of RD2 acquisition. All RD2-containing derivatives colonized a higher percentage of mice, and at higher CFU levels, than did the parental isolates in a mouse vaginal colonization model. However, for two additional phenotypes, survival in heparinized whole human blood and adherence to two human vaginal epithelial cell lines, there were serotype-specific differences from RD2 acquisition. Using transcriptomic comparisons, we identified that such differences may be a consequence of RD2 altering the abundance of transcripts from select core genome genes along serotype-specific lines. Our study is the first that interrogates RD2 function in GAS serotypes other than M28 isolates, shedding light on variability in the phenotypic consequences of RD2 acquisition and informing on why this mobile genetic element is not ubiquitous in the GAS population.
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7
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Vyas HKN, McArthur JD, Sanderson-Smith ML. An optimised GAS-pharyngeal cell biofilm model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8200. [PMID: 33859234 PMCID: PMC8050266 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87377-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes 700 million infections and accounts for half a million deaths per year. Biofilm formation has been implicated in both pharyngeal and dermal GAS infections. In vitro, plate-based assays have shown that several GAS M-types form biofilms, and multiple GAS virulence factors have been linked to biofilm formation. Although the contributions of these plate-based studies have been valuable, most have failed to mimic the host environment, with many studies utilising abiotic surfaces. GAS is a human specific pathogen, and colonisation and subsequent biofilm formation is likely facilitated by distinct interactions with host tissue surfaces. As such, a host cell-GAS model has been optimised to support and grow GAS biofilms of a variety of GAS M-types. Improvements and adjustments to the crystal violet biofilm biomass assay have also been tailored to reproducibly detect delicate GAS biofilms. We propose 72 h as an optimal growth period for yielding detectable biofilm biomass. GAS biofilms formed are robust and durable, and can be reproducibly assessed via staining/washing intensive assays such as crystal violet with the aid of methanol fixation prior to staining. Lastly, SEM imaging of GAS biofilms formed by this model revealed GAS cocci chains arranged into three-dimensional aggregated structures with EPS matrix material. Taken together, we outline an efficacious GAS biofilm pharyngeal cell model that can support long-term GAS biofilm formation, with biofilms formed closely resembling those seen in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heema K N Vyas
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason D McArthur
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina L Sanderson-Smith
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia. .,School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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8
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Degala S, Puleston R, Bates R, Borges-Stewart R, Coelho J, Kapatai G, Chalker V, Mair-Jenkins J. A protracted iGAS outbreak in a long-term care facility 2014-2015: control measures and the use of whole-genome sequencing. J Hosp Infect 2021; 105:70-77. [PMID: 32386676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, two residents of a long-term care facility (LTCF) developed invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections with identical typing (emm 11), resulting in one death. The second resident recovered but had a subsequent episode of emm 11 iGAS infection 10 months later. This second episode was linked to a third case, within 12 days, leading to a further outbreak investigation. AIM To combine different techniques to establish whether this was a protracted outbreak, understand transmission pathways and inform appropriate control measures. METHODS Following a routine response to the first cluster, the second investigation included a care record review. This informed network analysis of case interactions with staff and visitors during 10 days prior to infection. These data were combined with post-outbreak whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using isolates from cases, and staff and resident screening (44 GAS isolates: 11 outbreak-related and 33 sporadic isolates). FINDINGS Two of the three confirmed iGAS cases died (one suffered two episodes). All iGAS cases, and six non-invasive isolates from 2015, were emm 11 (monophylogenetic WGS clade). Network analysis highlighted only indirect contact through staff-visitor interactions between iGAS cases in 2015. This suggested a common source and transmission propagation through carriage and/or environmental contamination over an 11-month period. CONCLUSIONS This outbreak highlighted benefits of staff/resident screening and typing as part of routine response. Network analysis and highly discriminatory WGS clarified the protracted nature of the outbreak, supporting findings of hygiene and infection control issues and adding to our understanding of the epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Degala
- Field Epidemiology, Field Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Nottingham, UK.
| | - R Puleston
- Field Epidemiology, Field Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Nottingham, UK
| | - R Bates
- Local Knowledge and Intelligence Service, Public Health England, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - J Coelho
- Respiratory and Systemic Bacteria Section, Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England, Nottingham, UK
| | - G Kapatai
- Respiratory and Systemic Bacteria Section, Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England, Nottingham, UK
| | - V Chalker
- Respiratory and Systemic Bacteria Section, Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England, Nottingham, UK
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Boukthir S, Moullec S, Cariou ME, Meygret A, Morcet J, Faili A, Kayal S. A prospective survey of Streptococcus pyogenes infections in French Brittany from 2009 to 2017: Comprehensive dynamic of new emergent emm genotypes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244063. [PMID: 33332468 PMCID: PMC7746304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes or group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes diseases ranging from uncomplicated pharyngitis to life-threatening infections. It has complex epidemiology driven by the diversity, the temporal and geographical fluctuations of the circulating strains. Despite the global burden of GAS diseases, there is currently no available vaccination strategy against GAS infections. This study, based on a longitudinal population survey, aimed to understand the dynamic of GAS emm types and to give leads to better recognition of underlying mechanisms for the emergence of successful clones. From 2009 to 2017, we conducted a systematic culture-based diagnosis of GAS infections in a French Brittany population with a prospective recovery of clinical data. The epidemiological analysis was performed using emm typing combined with the structural and functional cluster-typing system for all the recovered strains. Risk factors for the invasiveness, identified by univariate analysis, were computed in a multiple logistic regression analysis, and the only independent risk factor remaining in the model was the age (OR for the entire range [CI95%] = 6.35 [3.63, 11.10]; p<0.0001). Among the 61 different emm types identified, the most prevalent were emm28 (16%), emm89 (15%), emm1 (14%), and emm4 (8%), which accounted for more than 50% of circulating strains. During the study period, five genotypes identified as emm44, 66, 75, 83, 87 emerged successively and belonged to clusters D4, E2, E3, and E6 that were different from those gathering “Prevalent” emm types (clusters A-C3 to 5, E1 and E4). We previously reported significant genetic modifications for emm44, 66, 83 and 75 types resulting possibly from a short adaptive evolution. Herein we additionally observed that the emergence of a new genotype could occur in a susceptible population having specific risk factors or probably lacking a naturally-acquired cluster-specific immune cross-protection. Among emergent emm types, emm75 and emm87 tend to become prevalent with a stable annual incidence and the risk of a clonal expansion have to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarrah Boukthir
- CHU de Rennes, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène Hospitalière, Rennes, France
- Inserm, CIC 1414, Rennes, France
- Université Rennes 1, Faculté de Médecine, Rennes, France
| | - Séverine Moullec
- Inserm, CIC 1414, Rennes, France
- Université Rennes 1, Faculté de Médecine, Rennes, France
| | | | - Alexandra Meygret
- CHU de Rennes, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène Hospitalière, Rennes, France
- Université Rennes 1, Faculté de Médecine, Rennes, France
| | - Jeff Morcet
- CHU de Rennes, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène Hospitalière, Rennes, France
- Inserm, CIC 1414, Rennes, France
| | - Ahmad Faili
- Inserm, CIC 1414, Rennes, France
- Université Rennes 1, Faculté de Pharmacie, Rennes, France
| | - Samer Kayal
- CHU de Rennes, Service de Bactériologie-Hygiène Hospitalière, Rennes, France
- Inserm, CIC 1414, Rennes, France
- Université Rennes 1, Faculté de Médecine, Rennes, France
- * E-mail:
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Mosites E, Zulz T, Bruden D, Nolen L, Frick A, Castrodale L, McLaughlin J, Van Beneden C, Hennessy TW, Bruce MG. Risk for Invasive Streptococcal Infections among Adults Experiencing Homelessness, Anchorage, Alaska, USA, 2002-2015. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 25. [PMID: 31538562 PMCID: PMC6759239 DOI: 10.3201/eid2510.181408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk for invasive streptococcal infection has not been clearly quantified among persons experiencing homelessness (PEH). We compared the incidence of detected cases of invasive group A Streptococcus infection, group B Streptococcus infection, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) infection among PEH with that among the general population in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, during 2002–2015. We used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Arctic Investigations Program surveillance system, the US Census, and the Anchorage Point-in-Time count (a yearly census of PEH). We detected a disproportionately high incidence of invasive streptococcal disease in Anchorage among PEH. Compared with the general population, PEH were 53.3 times as likely to have invasive group A Streptococcus infection, 6.9 times as likely to have invasive group B Streptococcus infection, and 36.3 times as likely to have invasive pneumococcal infection. Infection control in shelters, pneumococcal vaccination, and infection monitoring could help protect the health of this vulnerable group.
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11
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Russo BT, Ayinuola YA, Singh D, Carothers K, Fischetti VA, Flores-Mireles AL, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Liang Z, Castellino FJ. The M Protein of Streptococcus pyogenes Strain AP53 Retains Cell Surface Functional Plasminogen Binding after Inactivation of the Sortase A Gene. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:e00096-20. [PMID: 32123038 PMCID: PMC7186463 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00096-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield group A Streptococcus [GAS]) is a β-hemolytic human-selective pathogen that is responsible for a large number of morbid and mortal infections in humans. For efficient infection, GAS requires different types of surface proteins that provide various mechanisms for evading human innate immune responses, thus enhancing pathogenicity of the bacteria. Many such virulence-promoting proteins, including the major surface signature M protein, are translocated after biosynthesis through the cytoplasmic membrane and temporarily tethered to this membrane via a type 1 transmembrane domain (TMD) positioned near the COOH terminus. In these proteins, a sorting signal, LPXTG, is positioned immediately upstream of the TMD, which is cleaved by the membrane-associated transpeptidase, sortase A (SrtA), leading to the covalent anchoring of these proteins to newly emerging l-Ala-l-Ala cross-bridges of the growing peptidoglycan cell wall. Herein, we show that inactivation of the srtA gene in a skin-tropic pattern D GAS strain (AP53) results in retention of the M protein in the cell membrane. However, while the isogenic AP53 ΔsrtA strain is attenuated in overall pathogenic properties due to effects on the integrity of the cell membrane, our data show that the M protein nonetheless can extend from the cytoplasmic membrane through the cell wall and then to the surface of the bacteria and thereby retain its important properties of productively binding and activating fluid-phase host plasminogen (hPg). The studies presented herein demonstrate an underappreciated additional mechanism of cell surface display of bacterial virulence proteins via their retention in the cell membrane and extension to the GAS surface.IMPORTANCE Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is a human-specific pathogen that produces many surface factors, including its signature M protein, that contribute to its pathogenicity. M proteins undergo specific membrane localization and anchoring to the cell wall via the transpeptidase sortase A. Herein, we explored the role of sortase A function on M protein localization, architecture, and function, employing, a skin-tropic GAS isolate, AP53, which expresses a human plasminogen (hPg)-binding M (PAM) Protein. We showed that PAM anchored in the cell membrane, due to the targeted inactivation of sortase A, was nonetheless exposed on the cell surface and functionally interacted with host hPg. We demonstrate that M proteins, and possibly other sortase A-processed proteins that are retained in the cell membrane, can still function to initiate pathogenic processes by this underappreciated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady T Russo
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Yetunde A Ayinuola
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Damini Singh
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Katelyn Carothers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Vincent A Fischetti
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ana L Flores-Mireles
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Shaun W Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Victoria A Ploplis
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Zhong Liang
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Francis J Castellino
- W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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12
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Campbell PT, Tong SYC, Geard N, Davies MR, Worthing KA, Lacey JA, Smeesters PR, Batzloff MR, Kado J, Jenney AWJ, Mcvernon J, Steer AC. Longitudinal Analysis of Group A Streptococcus emm Types and emm Clusters in a High-Prevalence Setting: Relationship between Past and Future Infections. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:1429-1437. [PMID: 31748786 PMCID: PMC7137891 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus is a pathogen of global importance, but despite the ubiquity of group A Streptococcus infections, the relationship between infection, colonization, and immunity is still not completely understood. The M protein, encoded by the emm gene, is a major virulence factor and vaccine candidate and forms the basis of a number of classification systems. Longitudinal patterns of emm types collected from 457 Fijian schoolchildren over a 10-month period were analyzed. No evidence of tissue tropism was observed, and there was no apparent selective pressure or constraint of emm types. Patterns of emm type acquisition suggest limited, if any, modification of future infection based on infection history. Where impetigo is the dominant mode of transmission, circulating emm types either may not be constrained by ecological niches or population immunity to the M protein, or they may require several infections over a longer period of time to induce such immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Therese Campbell
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory Epidemiology Unit, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory Epidemiology Unit, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Department at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Nicholas Geard
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory Epidemiology Unit, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Computing and Information Systems, Melbourne School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark R Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate A Worthing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jake A Lacey
- Doherty Department at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael R Batzloff
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Australia
| | - Joseph Kado
- Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
- Fiji Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program, Suva, Fiji
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Adam W J Jenney
- Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Jodie Mcvernon
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory Epidemiology Unit, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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13
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Keramati M, Aslani MM, Roohvand F. In silico design and in vitro validation of a novel PCR-RFLP assay for determination of phylogenetic clusters of streptokinase gene alleles in streptococci groups. Microb Pathog 2019; 139:103862. [PMID: 31707080 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Streptokinase (SK), a heterogeneous plasminogen (Pg) activator protein secreted by groups A, C and G streptococci (GAS/GCS/GGS) is a virulence factor composed of three structural domains; SKα/SKβ/SKγ. Phylogenetic analysis of the major variable region of SKβ (sk-V1; nucleotides 448-791; 343bp) which classifies the SK alleles into SK1/SK2 clusters and SK2a/SK2b sub-clusters, is an approved assay to categorize clinical/natural streptococcal-isolates into co-related functional/pathogenesis groups. Herein, we describe a novel PCR-RFLP assay that in combination with Numerical Taxonomy and multivariate analysis System (NTSYS) resulted to dendrograms with complete adaption to that of the phylogenetic analysis of sk-V1-based clustering. In silico analyses by 30 restriction enzymes on GenBank-acquired sk-V1 sequences of known streptococcal clusters, resulted to the selection of "BsrI, MseI and Tsp45I″ enzymes that produced proper patterns to construct the expected dendrograms. In vitro analysis of the selected enzymes on clinical isolates of GAS/GCS/GGS validated the production of the same in silico-observed digestion patterns. Comparison of the constructed dendrogram and phylogenetic trees of selected GenBank and clinical isolates of streptococci indicated complete adaptation. Assessment of Pg-activation activity in selected clinical isolates indicated the expected co-related functionalities of the classified SK-clusters by the invented PCR-RFLP/NTSYS method. The simplicity of the assay relieves the need of sequencing/phylogenetic analyses for SK-clustering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Keramati
- Nano-Biotechnology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), No. 69, Pasteur Ave, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Aslani
- Microbiology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), No. 69, Pasteur Ave., Tehran, 1316943551, Iran.
| | - Farzin Roohvand
- Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), No. 69, Pasteur Ave., Tehran, 1316943551, Iran.
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14
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McNitt DH, Van De Water L, Marasco D, Berisio R, Lukomski S. Streptococcal Collagen-like Protein 1 Binds Wound Fibronectin: Implications in Pathogen Targeting. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:1933-1945. [PMID: 30182848 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180831165704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The outlook for an effective global vaccine is reduced because of significant antigenic variation among GAS strains worldwide. Other challenges in GAS therapy include the lack of common access to antibiotics in developing countries, as well as allergy to and treatment failures with penicillin and increasing erythromycin resistance in the industrialized world. At the portal of entry, GAS binds to newly deposited extracellular matrix, which is rich in cellular fibronectin isoforms with extra domain A (EDA, also termed EIIIA) via the surface adhesin, the streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1). Recombinant Scl1 constructs, derived from diverse GAS strains, bind the EDA loop segment situated between the C and C' β-strands. Despite the sequence diversity in Scl1 proteins, multiple sequence alignments and secondary structure predictions of Scl1 variants, as well as crystallography and homology modeling studies, point to a conserved mechanism of Scl1-EDA binding. We propose that targeting this interaction may prevent the progression of infection. A synthetic cyclic peptide, derived from the EDA C-C' loop, binds to recombinant Scl1 with a micromolar dissociation constant. This review highlights the current concept of EDA binding to Scl1 and provides incentives to exploit this binding to treat GAS infections and wound colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dudley H McNitt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 2095 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - Livingston Van De Water
- Departments of Surgery and Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, United States
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Frederico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Berisio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Slawomir Lukomski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 2095 Health Sciences North, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
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15
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De Oliveira DMP, Everest-Dass A, Hartley-Tassell L, Day CJ, Indraratna A, Brouwer S, Cleary A, Kautto L, Gorman J, Packer NH, Jennings MP, Walker MJ, Sanderson-Smith ML. Human glycan expression patterns influence Group A streptococcal colonization of epithelial cells. FASEB J 2019; 33:10808-10818. [PMID: 31262188 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900559r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Colonization of the oropharynx is the initial step in Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngeal infection. We have previously reported that the highly virulent M1T1 GAS clone attaches to oral epithelial cells via M1 protein interaction with blood group antigen carbohydrate structures. Here, we have identified that colonization of human oral epithelial cells by GAS serotypes M3 and M12 is mediated by human blood group antigens [ABO(H)] and Lewis (Le) antigen expression. Removal of linkage-specific fucose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and sialic acid modulated GAS colonization, dependent on host ABO(H) blood group and Le expression profile. Furthermore, N-linked glycans from human salivary glycoproteins, when released and purified, were potent inhibitors of M1, M3, and M12 GAS colonization ex vivo. These data highlight the important role played by human protein glycosylation patterns in GAS attachment to oral epithelial cell surfaces.-De Oliveira, D. M. P., Everest-Dass, A., Hartley-Tassell, L., Day, C. J., Indraratna, A., Brouwer, S., Cleary, A., Kautto, L., Gorman, J., Packer, N. H., Jennings, M. P., Walker, M. J., Sanderson-Smith, M. L. Human glycan expression patterns influence Group A streptococcal colonization of epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M P De Oliveira
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Arun Everest-Dass
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Christopher J Day
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anuk Indraratna
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephan Brouwer
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ailish Cleary
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Liisa Kautto
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jody Gorman
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicolle H Packer
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael P Jennings
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark J Walker
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martina L Sanderson-Smith
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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16
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Walker LW, Montoya L, Chochua S, Beall B, Green M. Increase in Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease and Emergence of Mucoid Strains in a Pediatric Population: February-June 2017. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz275. [PMID: 31281869 PMCID: PMC6602792 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infection with group A Streptococcus (GAS) can cause severe systemic and locally invasive disease. Invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) disease incidence varies both seasonally and year-to-year, and it may exhibit clustered outbreaks. We observed an upswing in iGAS cases at a tertiary care Children’s Hospital, prompting further characterization of local iGAS disease. Methods Cases of iGAS disease were abstracted from the medical record by manual chart review of all positive screening tests and cultures for GAS over a 4-year span. Incidence rates per 1000 hospital admissions and per 100 positive GAS tests were calculated and compared. Selected isolates were further characterized by whole-genome sequencing. Results Significant year-to-year differences in per-admission iGAS incidence rate were observed in February and June, although per-positive test incidence rates were not significantly different. Whole-genome sequencing revealed 2 dominant serotypes—emm3 and emm6—with high rates of mucoid phenotype and systemic bacteremia. Conclusions We document a significant but transient increase in iGAS disease incidence in 2 months of 2017. Genome sequencing revealed 2 dominant serotypes associated with mucoid phenotypes and severe disease, highlighting the dynamic nature of iGAS disease pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay Montoya
- Quality Services, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sopio Chochua
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bernard Beall
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michael Green
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pediatrics and Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania
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17
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Bessen DE, Smeesters PR, Beall BW. Molecular Epidemiology, Ecology, and Evolution of Group A Streptococci. Microbiol Spectr 2018; 6. [PMID: 30191802 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.cpp3-0009-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinico-epidemiological features of diseases caused by group A streptococci (GAS) is presented through the lens of the ecology, population genetics, and evolution of the organism. The serological targets of three typing schemes (M, T, SOF) are themselves GAS cell surface proteins that have a myriad of virulence functions and a diverse array of structural forms. Horizontal gene transfer expands the GAS antigenic cell surface repertoire by generating numerous combinations of M, T, and SOF antigens. However, horizontal gene transfer of the serotype determinant genes is not unconstrained, and therein lies a genetic organization that may signify adaptations to a narrow ecological niche, such as the primary tissue reservoirs of the human host. Adaptations may be further shaped by selection pressures such as herd immunity. Understanding the molecular evolution of GAS on multiple levels-short, intermediate, and long term-sheds insight on mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions, the emergence and spread of new clones, rational vaccine design, and public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra E Bessen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital, and Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, 1020, Belgium
| | - Bernard W Beall
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333
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18
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Draft Genome Sequences of Six Skin Isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2018; 6:6/26/e00592-18. [PMID: 29954901 PMCID: PMC6025946 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.00592-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Whole-genome shotgun sequences and bottom-up assembly of contigs of six skin isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, viz, NS88.3 (emm98.1), NS223 (emm91), NS455 (emm52), SS1448 (emm86.2), SS1572 (emm223), and SS1574 (emm224), are presented here. All contigs were annotated, and the gene arrangements and the inferred proteins were consistent with a pattern D classification.
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19
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Buckley SJ, Timms P, Davies MR, McMillan DJ. In silico characterisation of the two-component system regulators of Streptococcus pyogenes. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199163. [PMID: 29927994 PMCID: PMC6013163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria respond to environmental changes through the co-ordinated regulation of gene expression, often mediated by two-component regulatory systems (TCS). Group A Streptococcus (GAS), a bacterium which infects multiple human body sites and causes multiple diseases, possesses up to 14 TCS. In this study we examined genetic variation in the coding sequences and non-coding DNA upstream of these TCS as a method for evaluating relationships between different GAS emm-types, and potential associations with GAS disease. Twelve of the 14 TCS were present in 90% of the genomes examined. The length of the intergenic regions (IGRs) upstream of TCS coding regions varied from 39 to 345 nucleotides, with an average nucleotide diversity of 0.0064. Overall, IGR allelic variation was generally conserved with an emm-type. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences based on all TCS IGR sequences grouped genomes of the same emm-type together. However grouping with emm-pattern and emm-cluster-types was much weaker, suggesting epidemiological and functional properties associated with the latter are not due to evolutionary relatedness of emm-types. All emm5, emm6 and most of the emm18 genomes, all historically considered rheumatogenic emm-types clustered together, suggesting a shared evolutionary history. However emm1, emm3 and several emm18 genomes did not cluster within this group. These latter emm18 isolates were epidemiologically distinct from other emm18 genomes in study, providing evidence for local variation. emm-types associated with invasive disease or nephritogenicity also did not cluster together. Considering the TCS coding sequences (cds), correlation with emm-type was weaker than for the IGRs, and no strong correlation with disease was observed. Deletion of the malate transporter, maeP, was identified that serves as a putative marker for the emm89.0 subtype, which has been implicated in invasive outbreaks. A recombination-related, subclade-forming DNA motif was identified in the putative receiver domain of the Spy1556 response regulator that correlated with throat-associated emm-pattern-type A-C strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Buckley
- Inflammation and Healing Biomedical Research Cluster, and School of Health and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Inflammation and Healing Biomedical Research Cluster, and School of Health and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark R. Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J. McMillan
- Inflammation and Healing Biomedical Research Cluster, and School of Health and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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20
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Lapek JD, Mills RH, Wozniak JM, Campeau A, Fang RH, Wei X, van de Groep K, Perez-Lopez A, van Sorge NM, Raffatellu M, Knight R, Zhang L, Gonzalez DJ. Defining Host Responses during Systemic Bacterial Infection through Construction of a Murine Organ Proteome Atlas. Cell Syst 2018; 6:579-592.e4. [PMID: 29778837 PMCID: PMC7868092 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) remains one of the top 10 deadliest human pathogens worldwide despite its sensitivity to penicillin. Although the most common GAS infection is pharyngitis (strep throat), it also causes life-threatening systemic infections. A series of complex networks between host and pathogen drive invasive infections, which have not been comprehensively mapped. Attempting to map these interactions, we examined organ-level protein dynamics using a mouse model of systemic GAS infection. We quantified over 11,000 proteins, defining organ-specific markers for all analyzed tissues. From this analysis, an atlas of dynamically regulated proteins and pathways was constructed. Through statistical methods, we narrowed organ-specific markers of infection to 34 from the defined atlas. We show these markers are trackable in blood of infected mice, and a subset has been observed in plasma samples from GAS-infected clinical patients. This proteomics-based strategy provides insight into host defense responses, establishes potentially useful targets for therapeutic intervention, and presents biomarkers for determining affected organs during bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Lapek
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert H Mills
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jacob M Wozniak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Anaamika Campeau
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ronnie H Fang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kirsten van de Groep
- Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, G04.614, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, G04.614, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Araceli Perez-Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, G04.614, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Manuela Raffatellu
- Chiba University-UC San Diego Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Liangfang Zhang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - David J Gonzalez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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21
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Teatero S, McGeer A, Tyrrell GJ, Hoang L, Smadi H, Domingo MC, Levett PN, Finkelstein M, Dewar K, Plevneshi A, Athey TBT, Gubbay JB, Mulvey MR, Martin I, Demczuk W, Fittipaldi N. Canada-Wide Epidemic of emm74 Group A Streptococcus Invasive Disease. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy085. [PMID: 29780850 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The number of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections due to hitherto extremely rare type emm74 strains has increased in several Canadian provinces since late 2015. We hypothesized that the cases recorded in the different provinces are linked and caused by strains of an emm74 clone that recently emerged and expanded explosively. Methods We analyzed both active and passive surveillance data for iGAS infections and used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of the emm74 strains responsible for these invasive infections country-wide. Results Genome analysis showed that highly clonal emm74 strains, genetically different from emm74 organisms previously circulating in Canada, were responsible for a country-wide epidemic of >160 invasive disease cases. The emerging clone belonged to multilocus sequence typing ST120. The analysis also revealed dissemination patterns of emm74 subclonal lineages across Canadian provinces. Clinical data analysis indicated that the emm74 epidemic disproportionally affected middle-aged or older male individuals. Homelessness, alcohol abuse, and intravenous drug usage were significantly associated with invasive emm74 infections. Conclusions In a period of 20 months, an emm74 GAS clone emerged and rapidly spread across several Canadian provinces located more than 4500 km apart, causing invasive infections primarily among disadvantaged persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Teatero
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Allison McGeer
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory J Tyrrell
- Alberta Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Linda Hoang
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hanan Smadi
- New Brunswick Department of Health, Communicable Disease and Control, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Marc-Christian Domingo
- Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Paul N Levett
- Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory, Regina, SK, Canada
| | | | - Ken Dewar
- Genome Québec Innovation Centre, and McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Jonathan B Gubbay
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael R Mulvey
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Irene Martin
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Walter Demczuk
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Nahuel Fittipaldi
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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22
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Speers DJ, Levy A, Gichamo A, Eastwood A, Leung MJ. M protein gene (emm type) analysis of group A Streptococcus isolates recovered during an acute glomerulonephritis outbreak in northern Western Australia. Pathology 2017; 49:765-769. [PMID: 29079005 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Certain M protein types of group A streptococcus (GAS) are known to cause acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). Outbreaks of APSGN can occur regularly in tropical regions but the emm types responsible are geographically and temporally diverse. GAS isolates from Western Australia (WA) were analysed for emm type and emm cluster during the period of increased APSGN activity in the tropical northern Kimberley region of WA. Although emm types 49, 75 and 108 and corresponding emm clusters E3, E6 and D4 were more common in WA during the outbreak there was no predominant circulating emm type or cluster found to correspond to the APSGN activity. This is consistent with the high diversity of GAS strains found during APSGN outbreaks in other countries. Potential vaccine coverage of the new 30-valent M-protein GAS vaccine was 70%.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Speers
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Australia; School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
| | - Avram Levy
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Australia; School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Adanech Gichamo
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Ashley Eastwood
- WA Country Health Service, Kimberley Population Health Unit, Department of Health, Broome, WA, Australia
| | - Michael J Leung
- Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Australia; School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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23
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Incremental Contributions of FbaA and Other Impetigo-Associated Surface Proteins to Fitness and Virulence of a Classical Group A Streptococcal Skin Strain. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00374-17. [PMID: 28808160 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00374-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococci (GAS) are highly prevalent human pathogens whose primary ecological niche is the superficial epithelial layers of the throat and/or skin. Many GAS strains with a strong tendency to cause pharyngitis are distinct from strains that tend to cause impetigo; thus, genetic differences between them may confer host tissue-specific virulence. In this study, the FbaA surface protein gene was found to be present in most skin specialist strains but largely absent from a genetically related subset of pharyngitis isolates. In an ΔfbaA mutant constructed in the impetigo strain Alab49, loss of FbaA resulted in a slight but significant decrease in GAS fitness in a humanized mouse model of impetigo; the ΔfbaA mutant also exhibited decreased survival in whole human blood due to phagocytosis. In assays with highly sensitive outcome measures, Alab49ΔfbaA was compared to other isogenic mutants lacking virulence genes known to be disproportionately associated with classical skin strains. FbaA and PAM (i.e., the M53 protein) had additive effects in promoting GAS survival in whole blood. The pilus adhesin tip protein Cpa promoted Alab49 survival in whole blood and appears to fully account for the antiphagocytic effect attributable to pili. The finding that numerous skin strain-associated virulence factors make slight but significant contributions to virulence underscores the incremental contributions to fitness of individual surface protein genes and the multifactorial nature of GAS-host interactions.
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24
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Loh J, Tsai JY, Proft T. The ability of Group A streptococcus to adhere to immortalized human skin versus throat cell lines does not reflect their predicted tissue tropism. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 23:677.e1-677.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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25
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Bao YJ, Li Y, Liang Z, Agrahari G, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Castellino FJ. Comparative pathogenomic characterization of a non-invasive serotype M71 strain Streptococcus pyogenes NS53 reveals incongruent phenotypic implications from distinct genotypic markers. Pathog Dis 2017; 75:3829887. [PMID: 28520869 PMCID: PMC5808649 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The strains serotyped as M71 from group A Streptococcus are common causes of pharyngeal and skin diseases worldwide. Here we characterize the genome of a unique non-invasive M71 human isolate, NS53. The genome does not contain structural rearrangements or large-scale gene gains/losses, but encodes a full set of non-truncated known virulence factors, thus providing an ideal reference for comparative studies. However, the NS53 genome showed incongruent phenotypic implications from distinct genotypic markers. NS53 is characterized as an emm pattern D and FCT (fibronectin-collagen-T antigen) type-3 strain, typical of skin tropic strains, but is phylogenetically close to emm pattern E strains with preference for both skin and pharyngeal infections. We propose that this incongruence could result from recombination within the emm gene locus, or, alternatively, selection has been against those genetic alterations. Combined with the inability to select for CovS switching, a process is indicated whereby NS53 has been pre-adapted to specific host niches selecting against variations in CovS and many other genes. This may allow the strain to attain successful colonization and long-term survival. A balance between genetic variations and fitness may exist for this bacterium to form a stabilized genome optimized for survival in specific host environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Juan Bao
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Yang Li
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Zhong Liang
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Garima Agrahari
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Shaun W. Lee
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Victoria A. Ploplis
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Francis J. Castellino
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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26
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Pearson M, Fallowfield J, Davey T, Thorpe N, Allsopp A, Shaw A, Wilson D, Sriskandan S, Lamb L. Asymptomatic group A Streptococcal throat carriage in Royal Marines recruits and Young Officers. J Infect 2017; 74:585-589. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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27
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Brahmadathan N. Molecular Biology of Group A Streptococcus and its Implications in Vaccine Strategies. Indian J Med Microbiol 2017; 35:176-183. [DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.ijmm_17_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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28
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Bocking N, Matsumoto CL, Loewen K, Teatero S, Marchand-Austin A, Gordon J, Fittipaldi N, McGeer A. High Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Remote Indigenous Communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Open Forum Infect Dis 2016; 4:ofw243. [PMID: 28480241 PMCID: PMC5414009 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Worldwide, indigenous populations appear to be at increased risk for invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections. Although there is empirical evidence that the burden of iGAS disease is significant among remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, the epidemiology of iGAS infections in the area remains poorly characterized. Methods Individuals that met case definition for iGAS disease and whose laboratory specimens were processed by Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout, Canada or who were reported to Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Canada were identified for the period 2009 to 2014. Case demographics, clinical severity, comorbidities, and risk factors were collected through chart review. Strain typing and antibiotic susceptibility were determined when possible. Basic descriptive statistics were calculated. Results Sixty-five cases of iGAS disease were identified, for an annualized incidence of 56.2 per 100 000. Primary bacteremia was present in 26.2% of cases, and cellulitis was identified in 55.4% of cases. The most common comorbidities identified were diabetes (38.5%) and skin conditions (38.5%). Prevalent risk factors included alcohol dependence (25%). Fourteen different emm types were identified among 42 isolates, with the most common being emm114 (17.4%), emm11 (15.2%), and emm118 (13.0%). Resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was found in 24.6% of isolates. Conclusions Rural and remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario experience iGAS infections at a rate 10 times the provincial and national average. Compared with other North American series, a lower proportion of isolates causing infection were of emm types included in candidate GAS vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kassandra Loewen
- Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin Research Program, Sioux Lookout, Canada
| | | | | | - Janet Gordon
- Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Canada
| | - Nahuel Fittipaldi
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Allison McGeer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
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29
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Bao YJ, Shapiro BJ, Lee SW, Ploplis VA, Castellino FJ. Phenotypic differentiation of Streptococcus pyogenes populations is induced by recombination-driven gene-specific sweeps. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36644. [PMID: 27821851 PMCID: PMC5099688 DOI: 10.1038/srep36644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic recombination plays an important role in driving adaptive evolution and population differentiation in bacteria. However, controversy exists as to the effects of recombination on population diversity and differentiation, i.e., recombination is frequent enough to sweep through the population at selected gene loci (gene-specific sweeps), or the recombination rate is low without interfering genome-wide selective sweeps. Observations supporting either view are sparse. Pathogenic bacteria causing infectious diseases are promising candidates to provide observations of recombination. However, phenotype-associated differentiations are usually vague among them due to diverse disease manifestations. Here we report a population genomic study of the group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), a human pathogen with highly recombining genomes. By employing a genome-wide association study on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we demonstrate a phenotypic differentiation of GAS, represented by separate clustering of two sublineages associated with niche-specific infections, i.e., skin infection and pharyngitis-induced acute rheumatic fever. By quantifying SNPs associated with the differentiation in a statistical and phylogenetic context, we propose that the phenotype-associated differentiation arose through recombination-driven gene-specific sweeps, rather than genome-wide sweeps. Our work provides a novel paradigm of phenotype-associated differentiation induced by gene-specific sweeps in a human pathogen and has implications for understanding of driving forces of bacterial evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Juan Bao
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - B Jesse Shapiro
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Shaun W Lee
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Victoria A Ploplis
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Francis J Castellino
- W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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30
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Identification of a two-component Class IIb bacteriocin in Streptococcus pyogenes by recombinase-based in vivo expression technology. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36233. [PMID: 27808235 PMCID: PMC5093712 DOI: 10.1038/srep36233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is a globally prominent bacterial pathogen that exhibits strict tropism for the human host, yet bacterial factors responsible for the ability of S. pyogenes to compete within this limited biological niche are not well understood. Using an engineered recombinase-based in vivo expression technology (RIVET) system, we identified an in vivo-induced promoter region upstream of a predicted Class IIb bacteriocin system in the M18 serotype S. pyogenes strain MGAS8232. This promoter element was not active under in vitro laboratory conditions, but was highly induced within the mouse nasopharynx. Recombinant expression of the predicted mature S. pyogenes bacteriocin peptides (designated SpbM and SpbN) revealed that both peptides were required for antimicrobial activity. Using a gain of function experiment in Lactococcus lactis, we further demonstrated S. pyogenes immunity function is encoded downstream of spbN. These data highlight the importance of bacterial gene regulation within appropriate environments to help understand mechanisms of niche adaptation by bacterial pathogens.
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31
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Comparative M-protein analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes from pharyngitis and skin infections in New Zealand: Implications for vaccine development. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:561. [PMID: 27733129 PMCID: PMC5062888 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1891-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are responsible for a significant disease burden amongst Māori and Pacific populations in New Zealand (NZ). However, contemporary data are lacking regarding circulating group A Streptococcal (GAS) strains in NZ. Such information is important in guiding vaccine development. Methods GAS isolates from April to June 2015 were recovered from skin and pharyngeal samples from children living in areas of high social deprivation in Auckland, NZ, a significant proportion of which are Māori or Pacific. These children are among the highest risk group for developing ARF. Isolates were compared to concurrently collected pharyngeal isolates from Dunedin, NZ, where both the proportion of Māori and Pacific children and risk of developing ARF is low. Emm typing, emm cluster typing and theoretical coverage of the 30-valent vaccine candidate were undertaken as previously described. Results A high diversity of emm types and a high proportion of emm-pattern D and cluster D4 isolates were detected amongst both skin and pharyngeal isolates in children at high risk of ARF. Pharyngeal isolates from children at low risk of ARF within the same country were significantly less diverse, less likely to be emm pattern D, and more likely to be theoretically covered by the 30-valent M protein vaccine. Conclusions The high proportion of emm pattern D GAS strains amongst skin and pharyngeal isolates from children at high risk of ARF raises further questions about the role of skin infection in ARF pathogenesis. Emm types and emm clusters differed considerably between ARF endemic and non-endemic settings, even within the same country. This difference should be taken into account for vaccine development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1891-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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32
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Epidemiology of invasive group A streptococcal infections in Norway 2010-2014: A retrospective cohort study. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2016. [PMID: 27311458 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2704-y)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus (GAS) causes mild to severe infections in humans. GAS genotype emm1 is the leading cause of invasive disease worldwide. In the Nordic countries emm28 has been the dominant type since the 1980s. Recently, a resurgence of genotype emm1 was reported from Sweden. Here we present the epidemiology of invasive GAS (iGAS) infections and their association with emm-types in Norway from 2010-2014. We retrospectively collected surveillance data on antimicrobial susceptibility, multilocus sequence type and emm-type, and linked them with demographic and clinical manifestation data to calculate age and sex distributions, major emm- and sequence types and prevalence ratios (PR) on associations between emm-types and clinical manifestations. We analysed 756 iGAS cases and corresponding isolates, with overall incidence of 3.0 per 100000, median age of 59 years (range, 0-102), and male 56 %. Most frequent clinical manifestation was sepsis (49 %) followed by necrotizing fasciitis (9 %). Fifty-two different emm-types and 67 sequence types were identified, distributed into five evolutionary clusters. The most prevalent genotype was emm1 (ST28) in all years (range, 20-33 %) followed by 15 % emm28 in 2014. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, 15 % resistant to tetracycline and <4 % resistant to erythromycin. A PR of 4.5 (95 % CI, 2.3-8.9) was calculated for emm2 and necrotizing fasciitis. All emm22 isolates were resistant to tetracycline PR 7.5 (95 % CI, 5.8-9.9). This study documented the dominance of emm1, emergence of emm89 and probable import of tetracycline resistant emm112.2 into Norway (2010-2014). Genotype fluctuations between years suggested a mutual exclusive dominance of evolutionary clades.
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33
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Siemens N, Chakrakodi B, Shambat SM, Morgan M, Bergsten H, Hyldegaard O, Skrede S, Arnell P, Madsen MB, Johansson L, Juarez J, Bosnjak L, Mörgelin M, Svensson M, Norrby-Teglund A. Biofilm in group A streptococcal necrotizing soft tissue infections. JCI Insight 2016; 1:e87882. [PMID: 27699220 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.87882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) is a life-threatening, rapidly progressing infection. At present, biofilm is not recognized as a potential problem in GAS necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI), as it is typically linked to chronic infections or associated with foreign devices. Here, we present a case of a previously healthy male presenting with NSTI caused by GAS. The infection persisted over 24 days, and the surgeon documented the presence of a "thick layer biofilm" in the fascia. Subsequent analysis of NSTI patient tissue biopsies prospectively included in a multicenter study revealed multiple areas of biofilm in 32% of the patients studied. Biopsies associated with biofilm formation were characterized by massive bacterial load, a pronounced inflammatory response, and clinical signs of more severe tissue involvement. In vitro infections of a human skin tissue model with GAS NSTI isolates also revealed multilayered fibrous biofilm structures, which were found to be under the control of the global Nra gene regulator. The finding of GAS biofilm formation in NSTIs emphasizes the urgent need for biofilm to be considered as a potential complicating microbiological feature of GAS NSTI and, consequently, emphasizes reconsideration of antibiotic treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Siemens
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bhavya Chakrakodi
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Srikanth Mairpady Shambat
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marina Morgan
- Department of Microbiology, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Helena Bergsten
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ole Hyldegaard
- Department of Anaesthesia, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steinar Skrede
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per Arnell
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin B Madsen
- Department of Intensive Care, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linda Johansson
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Julius Juarez
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lidija Bosnjak
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthias Mörgelin
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mattias Svensson
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Norrby-Teglund
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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34
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Naseer U, Steinbakk M, Blystad H, Caugant DA. Epidemiology of invasive group A streptococcal infections in Norway 2010–2014: A retrospective cohort study. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:1639-48. [DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2704-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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35
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Imperi M, Pittiglio V, D'Avenio G, Gherardi G, Ciammaruconi A, Lista F, Pourcel C, Baldassarri L, Creti R. A new genotyping scheme based on MLVA for inter-laboratory surveillance of Streptococcus pyogenes. J Microbiol Methods 2016; 127:176-181. [PMID: 27302039 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A newly developed MLVA seven-loci scheme for Streptococcus pyogenes is described. The method can be successfully applied by using both agarose gel with visual inspections of bands and Lab on Chip technology. The potential of the present MLVA has been tested on a collection of 100 clinical GAS strains representing the most common emm types found in high-income countries plus 18 published gap-free genomes, in comparison to PFGE and MLST. The MLVA analysis defined 30 MLVA types with ten out of the considered 15 emm types exhibiting multiple and specific MLVA types. In only one occasion the same MLVA profile was shared between isolates belonging to two different emm types. A robust congruency between the methods was observed, with MLVA discriminating within clonal complexes as defined by PFGE or MLST. This new MLVA scheme can be adopted as a quick, low-cost and reliable typing method to track the short-term diffusion of GAS clones in inter-laboratory-based surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Imperi
- Dept. of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Pittiglio
- Health Corps Italian Army, Department of Molecular Biology, Immunology and Experimental Medicine, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe D'Avenio
- Dept. of Technology and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Ciammaruconi
- Health Corps Italian Army, Department of Molecular Biology, Immunology and Experimental Medicine, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Florigio Lista
- Health Corps Italian Army, Department of Molecular Biology, Immunology and Experimental Medicine, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Christine Pourcel
- I2BC, CNRS, Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Lucilla Baldassarri
- Dept. of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Creti
- Dept. of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Bessen DE. Tissue tropisms in group A Streptococcus: what virulence factors distinguish pharyngitis from impetigo strains? Curr Opin Infect Dis 2016; 29:295-303. [PMID: 26895573 PMCID: PMC5373551 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Group A streptococci (GAS) are a common cause of pharyngitis and impetigo, and distinct throat strains and skin strains have been long recognized. This review aims to describe recent advances in molecular differences between throat and skin strains, and the pathogenic mechanisms used by virulence factors that may distinguish between these two groups. RECENT FINDINGS Recent findings include a new typing scheme for GAS strains based on sequence clusters of genes encoding the entire surface-exposed portion of M protein; correlations between emm-based typing schemes, clinical disease and surface adhesins; covalent bond formation mediated by GAS pili and other adhesins in binding to host ligands; a key role for superantigens in oropharyngeal infection via binding major histocompatibility complex class II antigen; and migration of GAS-specific Th17 cells from the upper respiratory tract to the brain, which may be relevant to autoimmune sequelae. SUMMARY The gap between molecular markers of disease (correlation) and virulence mechanisms (causation) in the establishment of tissue tropisms for GAS infection currently remains wide, but the gap also continues to narrow. Whole genome sequencing combined with mutant construction and improvements in animal models for oropharyngeal infection by GAS may help pave the way for new discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra E Bessen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, New York, USA
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37
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Genomic Characterization of a Pattern D Streptococcus pyogenes emm53 Isolate Reveals a Genetic Rationale for Invasive Skin Tropicity. J Bacteriol 2016; 198:1712-24. [PMID: 27044623 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01019-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The genome of an invasive skin-tropic strain (AP53) of serotype M53 group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is composed of a circular chromosome of 1,860,554 bp and carries genetic markers for infection at skin locales, viz, emm gene family pattern D and FCT type 3. Through genome-scale comparisons of AP53 with other GAS genomes, we identified 596 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that reveal a potential genetic basis for skin tropism. The genome of AP53 differed by ∼30 point mutations from a noninvasive pattern D serotype M53 strain (Alab49), 4 of which are located in virulence genes. One pseudogene, yielding an inactive sensor kinase (CovS(-)) of the two-component transcriptional regulator CovRS, a major determinant for invasiveness, severely attenuated the expression of the secreted cysteine protease SpeB and enhanced the expression of the hyaluronic acid capsule compared to the isogenic noninvasive AP53/CovS(+) strain. The collagen-binding protein transcript sclB differed in the number of 5'-pentanucleotide repeats in the signal peptides of AP53 and Alab49 (9 versus 15), translating into different lengths of their signal peptides, which nonetheless maintained a full-length translatable coding frame. Furthermore, GAS strain AP53 acquired two phages that are absent in Alab49. One such phage (ΦAP53.2) contains the known virulence factor superantigen exotoxin gene tandem speK-slaA Overall, we conclude that this bacterium has evolved in multiple ways, including mutational variations of regulatory genes, short-tandem-repeat polymorphisms, large-scale genomic alterations, and acquisition of phages, all of which may be involved in shaping the adaptation of GAS in specific infectious environments and contribute to its enhanced virulence. IMPORTANCE Infectious strains of S. pyogenes (GAS) are classified by their serotypes, relating to the surface M protein, the emm-like subfamily pattern, and their tropicity toward the nasopharynx and/or skin. It is generally agreed that M proteins from pattern D strains, which also directly bind human host plasminogen, are skin tropic. We have sequenced and characterized the genome of an invasive pattern D GAS strain (AP53) in comparison to a very similar strain (Alab49) that is noninvasive and developed a genomic rationale as to possible reasons for the skin tropicity of these two strains and the greater invasiveness of AP53.
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Epidemiology Analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes in a Hospital in Southern Taiwan by Use of the Updated emm Cluster Typing System. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 54:157-62. [PMID: 26560544 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02089-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
emm typing is the most widely used molecular typing method for the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]). emm typing is based on a small variable region of the emm gene; however, the emm cluster typing system defines GAS types according to the nearly complete sequence of the emm gene. Therefore, emm cluster typing is considered to provide more information regarding the functional and structural properties of M proteins in different emm types of GAS. In the present study, 677 isolates collected between 1994 and 2008 in a hospital in southern Taiwan were analyzed by the emm cluster typing system. emm clusters A-C4, E1, E6, and A-C3 were the most prevalent emm cluster types and accounted for 67.4% of total isolates. emm clusters A-C4 and E1 were associated with noninvasive diseases, whereas E6 was significantly associated with both invasive and noninvasive manifestations. In addition, emm clusters D4, E2, and E3 were significantly associated with invasive manifestations. Furthermore, we found that the functional properties of M protein, including low fibrinogen-binding and high IgG-binding activities, were correlated significantly with invasive manifestations. In summary, the present study provides updated epidemiological information on GAS emm cluster types in southern Taiwan.
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High Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease Caused by Strains of Uncommon emm Types in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 54:83-92. [PMID: 26491184 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02201-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An outbreak of type emm59 invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease was declared in 2008 in Thunder Bay District, Northwestern Ontario, 2 years after a countrywide emm59 epidemic was recognized in Canada. Despite a declining number of emm59 infections since 2010, numerous cases of iGAS disease continue to be reported in the area. We collected clinical information on all iGAS cases recorded in Thunder Bay District from 2008 to 2013. We also emm typed and sequenced the genomes of all available strains isolated from 2011 to 2013 from iGAS infections and from severe cases of soft tissue infections. We used whole-genome sequencing data to investigate the population structure of GAS strains of the most frequently isolated emm types. We report an increased incidence of iGAS in Thunder Bay compared to the metropolitan area of Toronto/Peel and the province of Ontario. Illicit drug use, alcohol abuse, homelessness, and hepatitis C infection were underlying diseases or conditions that might have predisposed patients to iGAS disease. Most cases were caused by clonal strains of skin or generalist emm types (i.e., emm82, emm87, emm101, emm4, emm83, and emm114) uncommonly seen in other areas of the province. We observed rapid waxing and waning of emm types causing disease and their replacement by other emm types associated with the same tissue tropisms. Thus, iGAS disease in Thunder Bay District predominantly affects a select population of disadvantaged persons and is caused by clonally related strains of a few skin and generalist emm types less commonly associated with iGAS in other areas of Ontario.
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Good MF, Pandey M, Batzloff MR, Tyrrell GJ. Strategic development of the conserved region of the M protein and other candidates as vaccines to prevent infection with group A streptococci. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 14:1459-70. [DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.1081817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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41
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Bessen DE, McShan WM, Nguyen SV, Shetty A, Agrawal S, Tettelin H. Molecular epidemiology and genomics of group A Streptococcus. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2015; 33:393-418. [PMID: 25460818 PMCID: PMC4416080 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Revised: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS) is a strict human pathogen with a very high prevalence worldwide. This review highlights the genetic organization of the species and the important ecological considerations that impact its evolution. Recent advances are presented on the topics of molecular epidemiology, population biology, molecular basis for genetic change, genome structure and genetic flux, phylogenomics and closely related streptococcal species, and the long- and short-term evolution of GAS. The application of whole genome sequence data to addressing key biological questions is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra E Bessen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
| | - W Michael McShan
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
| | - Scott V Nguyen
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
| | - Amol Shetty
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Sonia Agrawal
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Hervé Tettelin
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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42
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Sanderson-Smith M, De Oliveira DMP, Guglielmini J, McMillan DJ, Vu T, Holien JK, Henningham A, Steer AC, Bessen DE, Dale JB, Curtis N, Beall BW, Walker MJ, Parker MW, Carapetis JR, Van Melderen L, Sriprakash KS, Smeesters PR. A systematic and functional classification of Streptococcus pyogenes that serves as a new tool for molecular typing and vaccine development. J Infect Dis 2014; 210:1325-38. [PMID: 24799598 PMCID: PMC6083926 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes ranks among the main causes of mortality from bacterial infections worldwide. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent diseases such as rheumatic heart disease and invasive streptococcal infection. The streptococcal M protein that is used as the substrate for epidemiological typing is both a virulence factor and a vaccine antigen. Over 220 variants of this protein have been described, making comparisons between proteins difficult, and hindering M protein-based vaccine development. A functional classification based on 48 emm-clusters containing closely related M proteins that share binding and structural properties is proposed. The need for a paradigm shift from type-specific immunity against S. pyogenes to emm-cluster based immunity for this bacterium should be further investigated. Implementation of this emm-cluster-based system as a standard typing scheme for S. pyogenes will facilitate the design of future studies of M protein function, streptococcal virulence, epidemiological surveillance, and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Sanderson-Smith
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - David M. P. De Oliveira
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Julien Guglielmini
- Microbial Evolutionary Genomics, Département Génomes et Génétique, Institut Pasteur
- CNRS, UMR3525, Paris, France
| | - David J. McMillan
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane
- Inflammation and Healing Research Cluster, School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Therese Vu
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie Bactérienne, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Jessica K. Holien
- Biota Structural Biology Laboratory, ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne
| | - Anna Henningham
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane
| | - Andrew C. Steer
- Murdoch Children Research Institute
- Centre for International Child Health, The University of Melbourne
- Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - Debra E. Bessen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla
| | - James B. Dale
- Department of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
| | - Nigel Curtis
- Murdoch Children Research Institute
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bernard W. Beall
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mark J. Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane
| | - Michael W. Parker
- Biota Structural Biology Laboratory, ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne
| | - Jonathan R. Carapetis
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth
| | - Laurence Van Melderen
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie Bactérienne, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Kadaba S. Sriprakash
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane
| | - Pierre R. Smeesters
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie Bactérienne, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
- Murdoch Children Research Institute
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43
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Steemson JD, Moreland NJ, Williamson D, Morgan J, Carter PE, Proft T. Survey of the bp/tee genes from clinical group A streptococcus isolates in New Zealand - implications for vaccine development. J Med Microbiol 2014; 63:1670-1678. [PMID: 25190737 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.080804-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for a wide range of diseases ranging from superficial infections, such as pharyngitis and impetigo, to life-threatening diseases, such as toxic shock syndrome and acute rheumatic fever (ARF). GAS pili are hair-like extensions protruding from the cell surface and consist of highly immunogenic structural proteins: the backbone pilin (BP) and one or two accessory pilins (AP1 and AP2). The protease-resistant BP builds the pilus shaft and has been recognized as the T-antigen, which forms the basis of a major serological typing scheme that is often used as a supplement to M typing. A previous sequence analysis of the bp gene (tee gene) in 39 GAS isolates revealed 15 different bp/tee types. In this study, we sequenced the bp/tee gene from 100 GAS isolates obtained from patients with pharyngitis, ARF or invasive disease in New Zealand. We found 20 new bp/tee alleles and four new bp/tee types/subtypes. No association between bp/tee type and clinical outcome was observed. We confirmed earlier reports that the emm type and tee type are associated strongly, but we also found exceptions, where multiple tee types could be found in certain M/emm type strains, such as M/emm89. We also reported, for the first time, the existence of a chimeric bp/tee allele, which was assigned into a new subclade (bp/tee3.1). A strong sequence conservation of the bp/tee gene was observed within the individual bp/tee types/subtypes (>97 % sequence identity), as well as between historical and contemporary New Zealand and international GAS strains. This temporal and geographical sequence stability provided further evidence for the potential use of the BP/T-antigen as a vaccine target.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Steemson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicole J Moreland
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deborah Williamson
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julie Morgan
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Philip E Carter
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Proft
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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44
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Gallotta M, Gancitano G, Pietrocola G, Mora M, Pezzicoli A, Tuscano G, Chiarot E, Nardi-Dei V, Taddei AR, Rindi S, Speziale P, Soriani M, Grandi G, Margarit I, Bensi G. SpyAD, a moonlighting protein of group A Streptococcus contributing to bacterial division and host cell adhesion. Infect Immun 2014; 82:2890-901. [PMID: 24778116 PMCID: PMC4097626 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00064-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogen causing a wide repertoire of mild and severe diseases for which no vaccine is yet available. We recently reported the identification of three protein antigens that in combination conferred wide protection against GAS infection in mice. Here we focused our attention on the characterization of one of these three antigens, Spy0269, a highly conserved, surface-exposed, and immunogenic protein of unknown function. Deletion of the spy0269 gene in a GAS M1 isolate resulted in very long bacterial chains, which is indicative of an impaired capacity of the knockout mutant to properly divide. Confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the protein was mainly localized at the cell septum and could interact in vitro with the cell division protein FtsZ, leading us to hypothesize that Spy0269 is a member of the GAS divisome machinery. Predicted structural domains and sequence homologies with known streptococcal adhesins suggested that this antigen could also play a role in mediating GAS interaction with host cells. This hypothesis was confirmed by showing that recombinant Spy0269 could bind to mammalian epithelial cells in vitro and that Lactococcus lactis expressing Spy0269 on its cell surface could adhere to mammalian cells in vitro and to mice nasal mucosa in vivo. On the basis of these data, we believe that Spy0269 is involved both in bacterial cell division and in adhesion to host cells and we propose to rename this multifunctional moonlighting protein as SpyAD (Streptococcus pyogenes Adhesion and Division protein).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giampiero Pietrocola
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Rita Taddei
- Centre for High Instruments, Electron Microscopy Section, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Simonetta Rindi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Pietro Speziale
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Guido Grandi
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl, Siena, Italy
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45
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Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of Group A Streptococcus. Clin Microbiol Rev 2014. [PMID: 24696436 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00101-13)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus (GAS), causes mild human infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo and serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Furthermore, repeated GAS infections may trigger autoimmune diseases, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. Combined, these diseases account for over half a million deaths per year globally. Genomic and molecular analyses have now characterized a large number of GAS virulence determinants, many of which exhibit overlap and redundancy in the processes of adhesion and colonization, innate immune resistance, and the capacity to facilitate tissue barrier degradation and spread within the human host. This improved understanding of the contribution of individual virulence determinants to the disease process has led to the formulation of models of GAS disease progression, which may lead to better treatment and intervention strategies. While GAS remains sensitive to all penicillins and cephalosporins, rising resistance to other antibiotics used in disease treatment is an increasing worldwide concern. Several GAS vaccine formulations that elicit protective immunity in animal models have shown promise in nonhuman primate and early-stage human trials. The development of a safe and efficacious commercial human vaccine for the prophylaxis of GAS disease remains a high priority.
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46
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Walker MJ, Barnett TC, McArthur JD, Cole JN, Gillen CM, Henningham A, Sriprakash KS, Sanderson-Smith ML, Nizet V. Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of Group A Streptococcus. Clin Microbiol Rev 2014; 27:264-301. [PMID: 24696436 PMCID: PMC3993104 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00101-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 566] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus (GAS), causes mild human infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo and serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Furthermore, repeated GAS infections may trigger autoimmune diseases, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. Combined, these diseases account for over half a million deaths per year globally. Genomic and molecular analyses have now characterized a large number of GAS virulence determinants, many of which exhibit overlap and redundancy in the processes of adhesion and colonization, innate immune resistance, and the capacity to facilitate tissue barrier degradation and spread within the human host. This improved understanding of the contribution of individual virulence determinants to the disease process has led to the formulation of models of GAS disease progression, which may lead to better treatment and intervention strategies. While GAS remains sensitive to all penicillins and cephalosporins, rising resistance to other antibiotics used in disease treatment is an increasing worldwide concern. Several GAS vaccine formulations that elicit protective immunity in animal models have shown promise in nonhuman primate and early-stage human trials. The development of a safe and efficacious commercial human vaccine for the prophylaxis of GAS disease remains a high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. Walker
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Timothy C. Barnett
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason D. McArthur
- School of Biological Sciences and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason N. Cole
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christine M. Gillen
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anna Henningham
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - K. S. Sriprakash
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Martina L. Sanderson-Smith
- School of Biological Sciences and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
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Deriving group A Streptococcus typing information from short-read whole-genome sequencing data. J Clin Microbiol 2014; 52:1871-6. [PMID: 24648555 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00029-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Typing of group A Streptococcus (GAS) is crucial for infection control and epidemiology. While whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is revolutionizing the way that bacterial organisms are typed, it is necessary to provide backward compatibility with currently used typing schemas to facilitate comparisons and understanding of epidemiological trends. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 191 GAS isolates representing 42 different emm types and used bioinformatics tools to derive commonly used GAS typing information directly from the short-read WGS data. We show that emm typing and multilocus sequence typing can be achieved rapidly and efficiently using this approach, which also permits the determination of the presence or absence of genes associated with GAS tissue tropism. We also report on how the WGS data analysis was instrumental in identifying ambiguities present in the commonly used emm type database hosted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Tamayo E, Montes M, García-Arenzana JM, Pérez-Trallero E. Streptococcus pyogenes emm-types in northern Spain; population dynamics over a 7-year period. J Infect 2014; 68:50-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2013.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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McMillan DJ, Drèze PA, Vu T, Bessen DE, Guglielmini J, Steer AC, Carapetis JR, Van Melderen L, Sriprakash KS, Smeesters PR. Updated model of group A Streptococcus M proteins based on a comprehensive worldwide study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2013; 19:E222-9. [PMID: 23464795 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) M protein is an important virulence factor and potential vaccine antigen, and constitutes the basis for strain typing (emm-typing). Although >200 emm-types are characterized, structural data were obtained from only a limited number of emm-types. We aim to evaluate the sequence diversity of near-full-length M proteins from worldwide sources and analyse their structure, sequence conservation and classification. GAS isolates recovered from throughout the world during the last two decades underwent emm-typing and complete emm gene sequencing. Predicted amino acid sequence analyses, secondary structure predictions and vaccine epitope mapping were performed using MUSCLE and Geneious software. A total of 1086 isolates from 31 countries were analysed, representing 175 emm-types. emm-type is predictive of the whole protein structure, independent of geographical origin or clinical association. Findings of an emm-type paired with multiple, highly divergent central regions were not observed. M protein sequence length, the presence or absence of sequence repeats and predicted secondary structure were assessed in the context of the latest vaccine developments. Based on these global data, the M6 protein model is updated to a three representative M protein (M5, M80 and M77) model, to aid in epidemiological analysis, vaccine development and M protein-related pathogenesis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J McMillan
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Gazia MA, Tousson E, El-Fatah MA, Shoheib AS. Fibronectin in the palatine tonsil as a susceptibility marker in Egyptian rheumatic families: histological and immunohistochemical studies. Toxicol Ind Health 2013; 31:319-27. [PMID: 23315088 DOI: 10.1177/0748233712471701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are the multisystem autoimmune sequel of group A streptococci (GAS) infection of the upper respiratory passages, mainly tonsillopharyngitis. The major receptor on the surface of human palatine tonsil for GAS is fibronectin (FN; adhesin receptor). Early detection of RF susceptibility is considered as an important aim of this study. Therefore, the present study aimed to use FN immunoreactivity (FN-ir) as a marker for early detection of rheumatic susceptible children with palatine tonsil crypts surface epithelium. A total of 30 palatine tonsillar specimens were obtained from children aged from 3 to 15 years. Histological studies showed moderate vascular changes and more than four apparent epithelial disruptions in the crypt epithelium. FN-ir showed a significant increase in FN in the basal layers of surface epithelium, subepithelial connective tissue and interfollicular areas. Tonsils of children in rheumatic families showed significant increase in FN in subepithelial connective tissue areas with more than one apparent crypt epithelial disruption compared to normal children. We can conclude that FN plays a central role in the RF and differentially distributed in the functional compartments of the palatine tonsil in children with RHD, so FN-ir can be used as a marker for rheumatic susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Abo Gazia
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Fayoum University, Egypt
| | - Ehab Tousson
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Tanta University, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmed S Shoheib
- Cardiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
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