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Baranchyk Y, Gestels Z, Van den Bossche D, Abdellati S, Britto Xavier B, Manoharan-Basil SS, Kenyon C. Effect of erythromycin residuals in food on the development of resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae: an in vivo study in Galleria mellonella. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17463. [PMID: 38827315 PMCID: PMC11141549 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17463] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The use of antimicrobials to treat food animals may result in antimicrobial residues in foodstuffs of animal origin. The European Medicines Association (EMA) and World Health Organization (WHO) define safe antimicrobial concentrations in food based on acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). It is unknown if ADI doses of antimicrobials in food could influence the antimicrobial susceptibility of human-associated bacteria. Objectives This aim of this study was to evaluate if the consumption of ADI doses of erythromycin could select for erythromycin resistance in a Galleria mellonella model of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Methods A chronic model of S. pneumoniae infection in G. mellonella larvae was used for the experiment. Inoculation of larvae with S. pneumoniae was followed by injections of erythromycin ADI doses (0.0875 and 0.012 μg/ml according to EMA and WHO, respectively). Isolation of S. pneumoniae colonies was then performed on selective agar plates. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of resistant colonies were measured, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed followed by variant calling to determine the genetic modifications. Results Exposure to single doses of both EMA and WHO ADI doses of erythromycin resulted in the emergence of erythromycin resistance in S. pneumoniae. Emergent resistance to erythromycin was associated with a mutation in rplA, which codes for the L1 ribosomal protein and has been linked to macrolide resistance in previous studies. Conclusion In our in vivo model, even single doses of erythromycin that are classified as acceptable by the WHO and EMA induced significant increases in erythromycin MICs in S. pneumoniae. These results suggest the need to include the induction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a significant criterion for determining ADIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliia Baranchyk
- UnivLyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zina Gestels
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Saïd Abdellati
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Basil Britto Xavier
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Hospital Outbreak Support Team-HOST, Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Chris Kenyon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Eddoubaji Y, Aldeia C, Campos-Madueno EI, Moser AI, Kundlacz C, Perreten V, Hilty M, Endimiani A. A new in vivo model of intestinal colonization using Zophobas morio larvae: testing hyperepidemic ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli clones. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1381051. [PMID: 38659985 PMCID: PMC11039899 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1381051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Finding strategies for decolonizing gut carriers of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR-Ec) is a public-health priority. In this context, novel approaches should be validated in preclinical in vivo gut colonization models before being translated to humans. However, the use of mice presents limitations. Here, we used for the first time Zophobas morio larvae to design a new model of intestinal colonization (28-days duration, T28). Three hyperepidemic MDR-Ec producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) or carbapenemases were administered via contaminated food to larvae for the first 7 days (T7): Ec-4901.28 (ST131, CTX-M-15), Ec-042 (ST410, OXA-181) and Ec-050 (ST167, NDM-5). Growth curve analyses showed that larvae became rapidly colonized with all strains (T7, ~106-7 CFU/mL), but bacterial load remained high after the removal of contaminated food only in Ec-4901.28 and Ec-042 (T28, ~103-4 CFU/mL). Moreover, larvae receiving a force-feeding treatment with INTESTI bacteriophage cocktail (on T7 and T10 via gauge needle) were decolonized by Ec-4901.28 (INTESTI-susceptible); however, Ec-042 and Ec-050 (INTESTI-resistant) did not. Initial microbiota (before administering contaminated food) was very rich of bacterial genera (e.g., Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Spiroplasma), but patterns were heterogeneous (Shannon diversity index: range 1.1-2.7) and diverse to each other (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index ≥30%). However, when larvae were challenged with the MDR-Ec with or without administering bacteriophages the microbiota showed a non-significant reduction of the diversity during the 28-day experiments. In conclusion, the Z. morio larvae model promises to be a feasible and high-throughput approach to study novel gut decolonization strategies for MDR-Ec reducing the number of subsequent confirmatory mammalian experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Eddoubaji
- Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Aldeia
- Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edgar I. Campos-Madueno
- Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aline I. Moser
- Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cindy Kundlacz
- Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Perreten
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Markus Hilty
- Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Endimiani
- Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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3
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Piller T, De Vooght L, Gansemans Y, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Cos P. Mycothione reductase as a potential target in the fight against Mycobacterium abscessus infections. mSphere 2024; 9:e0066923. [PMID: 38085034 PMCID: PMC10826361 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00669-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
While infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) are rising worldwide, the current treatment of these infections is far from ideal due to its numerous shortcomings thereby increasing the urge for novel drug targets. In this study, mycothione reductase (Mtr) was evaluated for its potential as a drug target for MABC infections since it is a key enzyme needed in the recycling of mycothiol, the main low-molecular-weight thiol protecting the bacteria against reactive oxygen species and other reactive intermediates. First, a Mab∆mtr mutant strain was generated, lacking mtr expression. Next, the in vitro sensitivity of Mab∆mtr to oxidative stress and antimycobacterial drugs was determined. Finally, we evaluated the intramacrophage survival and the virulence of Mab∆mtr in Galleria mellonella larvae. Mab∆mtr demonstrated a 39.5-fold reduction in IC90 when exposed to bedaquiline in vitro. Furthermore, the Mab∆mtr mutant showed a decreased ability to proliferate inside macrophages and larvae, suggesting that Mtr plays an important role during MABC infection. Altogether, these findings support the assumption of Mtr being a potential target for antimycobacterial drugs.IMPORTANCEMycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) is a group of bacteria causing a serious public health problem worldwide due to its ability to cause progressive disease, its highly resistant profile against various antibiotics, and its lengthy treatment. Therefore, new drugs are needed to alleviate antibiotic resistance and reduce the length of the current treatment. A potential new target for new antibiotics is mycothione reductase (Mtr), an important enzyme belonging to a pathway that protects the bacteria against harmful conditions. Our research created a bacterium deficient of mtr by using advanced genetic techniques and demonstrated that mtr-deficient bacteria have a decreased ability to multiply during infection. Furthermore, we show evidence that currently used antibiotics combined with mtr deficiency can lead to a better treatment of MABC infection. Altogether, our results validate Mtr as a potential new target and suggest that Mtr plays a role during MABC infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Piller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - L. De Vooght
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Y. Gansemans
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - F. Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - P. Cos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Polenogova OV, Klementeva TN, Kabilov MR, Alikina TY, Krivopalov AV, Kruykova NA, Glupov VV. A Diet with Amikacin Changes the Bacteriobiome and the Physiological State of Galleria mellonella and Causes Its Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis. INSECTS 2023; 14:889. [PMID: 37999088 PMCID: PMC10672437 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution with antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance in microorganisms, including the intestinal microbiota of various insects. The effects of low-dose aminoglycoside antibiotic (amikacin) on the resident gut microbiota of Galleria mellonella, its digestion, its physiological parameters, and the resistance of this species to bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis were investigated. Here, 16S rDNA analysis revealed that the number of non-dominant Enterococcus mundtii bacteria in the eighteenth generation of the wax moth treated with amikacin was increased 73 fold compared to E. faecalis, the dominant bacteria in the native line of the wax moth. These changes were accompanied by increased activity of acidic protease and glutathione-S-transferase in the midgut tissues of larvae. Ultra-thin section electron microscopy detected no changes in the structure of the midgut tissues. In addition, reduced pupa weight and resistance of larvae to B. thuringiensis were observed in the eighteenth generation of the wax moth reared on a diet with amikacin. We suggest that long-term cultivation of wax moth larvae on an artificial diet with an antibiotic leads to its adaptation due to changes in both the gut microbiota community and the physiological state of the insect organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Polenogova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; (T.N.K.); (A.V.K.); (N.A.K.); (V.V.G.)
| | - Tatyana N. Klementeva
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; (T.N.K.); (A.V.K.); (N.A.K.); (V.V.G.)
| | - Marsel R. Kabilov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (M.R.K.); (T.Y.A.)
| | - Tatyana Y. Alikina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (M.R.K.); (T.Y.A.)
| | - Anton V. Krivopalov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; (T.N.K.); (A.V.K.); (N.A.K.); (V.V.G.)
| | - Natalya A. Kruykova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; (T.N.K.); (A.V.K.); (N.A.K.); (V.V.G.)
| | - Viktor V. Glupov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia; (T.N.K.); (A.V.K.); (N.A.K.); (V.V.G.)
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Admella J, Torrents E. Investigating bacterial infections in Galleria mellonella larvae: Insights into pathogen dissemination and behavior. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 200:107975. [PMID: 37541571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The insect Galleria mellonella is an alternative animal model widely used for studying bacterial infections. It presents a wide range of advantages, including its low cost, easy maintenance and lack of ethical constraints. Among other features, their innate immune system is very similar to that of mammals. In this study, we dissected several larvae infected with important human pathogens: Mycobacterium abscessus, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By observing the fat body, gut, trachea, and hemolymph under the microscope, we were able to describe where bacteria tend to disseminate. We also quantified the number of bacteria in the hemolymph throughout the infection course and found significant differences between the different pathogens. With this work, we aimed to better understand the behavior and dissemination of bacteria in the infected larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Admella
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Microbiology Section, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 643 Diagonal Ave., 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Torrents
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Microbiology Section, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 643 Diagonal Ave., 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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Bugyna L, Kendra S, Bujdáková H. Galleria mellonella-A Model for the Study of aPDT-Prospects and Drawbacks. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1455. [PMID: 37374956 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Galleria mellonella is a promising in vivo model insect used for microbiological, medical, and pharmacological research. It provides a platform for testing the biocompatibility of various compounds and the kinetics of survival after an infection followed by subsequent treatment, and for the evaluation of various parameters during treatment, including the host-pathogen interaction. There are some similarities in the development of pathologies with mammals. However, a limitation is the lack of adaptive immune response. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an alternative approach for combating microbial infections, including biofilm-associated ones. aPDT is effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, regardless of whether they are resistant to conventional treatment. The main idea of this comprehensive review was to collect information on the use of G. mellonella in aPDT. It provides a collection of references published in the last 10 years from this area of research, complemented by some practical experiences of the authors of this review. Additionally, the review summarizes in brief information on the G. mellonella model, its advantages and methods used in the processing of material from these larvae, as well as basic knowledge of the principles of aPDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larysa Bugyna
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Samuel Kendra
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Helena Bujdáková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Budziaszek J, Pilarczyk-Zurek M, Dobosz E, Kozinska A, Nowicki D, Obszanska K, Szalewska-Pałasz A, Kern-Zdanowicz I, Sitkiewicz I, Koziel J. Studies of Streptococcus anginosus Virulence in Dictyostelium discoideum and Galleria mellonella Models. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0001623. [PMID: 37097148 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00016-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
For many years, Streptococcus anginosus has been considered a commensal colonizing the oral cavity, as well as the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. However, recent epidemiological and clinical data designate this bacterium as an emerging opportunistic pathogen. Despite the reported pathogenicity of S. anginosus, the molecular mechanism underpinning its virulence is poorly described. Therefore, our goal was to develop and optimize efficient and simple infection models that can be applied to examine the virulence of S. anginosus and to study host-pathogen interactions. Using 23 S. anginosus isolates collected from different infections, including severe and superficial infections, as well as an attenuated strain devoid of CppA, we demonstrate for the first time that Dictyostelium discoideum is a suitable model for initial, fast, and large-scale screening of virulence. Furthermore, we found that another nonvertebrate animal model, Galleria mellonella, can be used to study the pathogenesis of S. anginosus infection, with an emphasis on the interactions between the pathogen and host innate immunity. Examining the profile of immune defense genes, including antimicrobial peptides, opsonins, regulators of nodulation, and inhibitors of proteases, by quantitative PCR (qPCR) we identified different immune response profiles depending on the S. anginosus strain. Using these models, we show that S. anginosus is resistant to the bactericidal activity of phagocytes, a phenomenon confirmed using human neutrophils. Notably, since we found that the data from these models corresponded to the clinical severity of infection, we propose their further application to studies of the virulence of S. anginosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Budziaszek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Pilarczyk-Zurek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewelina Dobosz
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kozinska
- Department of Drug Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, National Medicines Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Nowicki
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Obszanska
- Department of Drug Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, National Medicines Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Izabela Sitkiewicz
- Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Koziel
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Leal JT, Primon-Barros M, de Carvalho Robaina A, Pizzutti K, Mott MP, Trentin DS, Dias CAG. Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19A from carriers and invasive disease: virulence gene profile and pathogenicity in a Galleria mellonella model. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 42:399-411. [PMID: 36790530 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04560-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate and compare the presence of genes related to surface proteins between isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from healthy carriers (HC) and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) with a particular focus on serotype 19A. METHODS The presence of these genes was identified by real-time PCR. Subsequently, we employed the Galleria mellonella larval infection model to study their effect on pathogenicity in vivo. RESULTS The percentage of selected virulence genes was similar between the HC and IPD groups (p > 0.05), and the genes lytA, nanB, pavA, pcpA, phtA, phtB, phtE, rrgA, and sipA were all present in both groups. However, the virulence profile of the isolates differed individually between HC and IPD groups. The highest lethality in G. mellonella was for IPD isolates (p < 0.01), even when the virulence profile was the same as compared to the HC isolates or when the nanA, pspA, pspA-fam1, and pspC genes were not present. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of the investigated virulence genes was similar between HC and IPD S. pneumoniae serotype 19A groups. However, the IPD isolates showed a higher lethality in the alternative G. mellonella model than the HC isolates, regardless of the virulence gene composition, indicating that other virulence factors may play a decisive role in virulence. Currently, this is the first report using the in vivo G. mellonella model to study the virulence of clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane Trevisol Leal
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCS), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia & Modelos Experimentais Alternativos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências (PPGBIO), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Muriel Primon-Barros
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCS), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil
| | - Amanda de Carvalho Robaina
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCS), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil
| | - Kauana Pizzutti
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCS), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil
| | - Mariana Preussler Mott
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCS), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil
| | - Danielle Silva Trentin
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia & Modelos Experimentais Alternativos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências (PPGBIO), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
| | - Cícero Armídio Gomes Dias
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCS), Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil
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Malacarne MC, Mastore M, Gariboldi MB, Brivio MF, Caruso E. Preliminary Toxicity Evaluation of a Porphyrin Photosensitizer in an Alternative Preclinical Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043131. [PMID: 36834543 PMCID: PMC9966276 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043131] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photosensitizer (PS) excited with a specific wavelength, and in the presence of oxygen, gives rise to photochemical reactions that lead to cell damage. Over the past few years, larval stages of the G. mellonella moth have proven to be an excellent alternative animal model for in vivo toxicity testing of novel compounds and virulence testing. In this article, we report a series of preliminary studies on G. mellonella larvae to evaluate the photoinduced stress response by a porphyrin (PS) (TPPOH). The tests performed evaluated PS toxicity on larvae and cytotoxicity on hemocytes, both in dark conditions and following PDT. Cellular uptake was also evaluated by fluorescence and flow cytometry. The results obtained demonstrate how the administration of PS and subsequent irradiation of larvae affects not only larvae survival rate, but also immune system cells. It was also possible to verify PS's uptake and uptake kinetics in hemocytes, observing a maximum peak at 8 h. Given the results obtained in these preliminary tests, G. mellonella appears to be a promising model for preclinical PS tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miryam Chiara Malacarne
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Maristella Mastore
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Marzia Bruna Gariboldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Caruso
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0332421541
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10
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Sänger PA, Wagner S, Liebler-Tenorio EM, Fuchs TM. Dissecting the invasion of Galleria mellonella by Yersinia enterocolitica reveals metabolic adaptations and a role of a phage lysis cassette in insect killing. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010991. [PMID: 36399504 PMCID: PMC9718411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica strain W22703 is characterized by its toxicity towards invertebrates that requires the insecticidal toxin complex (Tc) proteins encoded by the pathogenicity island Tc-PAIYe. Molecular and pathophysiological details of insect larvae infection and killing by this pathogen, however, have not been dissected. Here, we applied oral infection of Galleria mellonella (Greater wax moth) larvae to study the colonisation, proliferation, tissue invasion, and killing activity of W22703. We demonstrated that this strain is strongly toxic towards the larvae, in which they proliferate by more than three orders of magnitude within six days post infection. Deletion mutants of the genes tcaA and tccC were atoxic for the insect. W22703 ΔtccC, in contrast to W22703 ΔtcaA, initially proliferated before being eliminated from the host, thus confirming TcaA as membrane-binding Tc subunit and TccC as cell toxin. Time course experiments revealed a Tc-dependent infection process starting with midgut colonisation that is followed by invasion of the hemolymph where the pathogen elicits morphological changes of hemocytes and strongly proliferates. The in vivo transcriptome of strain W22703 shows that the pathogen undergoes a drastic reprogramming of central cell functions and gains access to numerous carbohydrate and amino acid resources within the insect. Strikingly, a mutant lacking a phage-related holin/endolysin (HE) cassette, which is located within Tc-PAIYe, resembled the phenotypes of W22703 ΔtcaA, suggesting that this dual lysis cassette may be an example of a phage-related function that has been adapted for the release of a bacterial toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefanie Wagner
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für Molekulare Pathogenese, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Thilo M. Fuchs
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für Molekulare Pathogenese, Jena, Germany
- * E-mail:
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11
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Intracellular cytokine detection based on flow cytometry in hemocytes from Galleria mellonella larvae: A new protocol. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274120. [PMID: 36173940 PMCID: PMC9521830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invertebrates are becoming increasingly popular models for research on the immune system. The innate immunity possessed by insects shows both structural and functional similarity to the resistance displayed by mammals, and many processes occurring in insect hemocytes are similar to those that occur in mammals. However, the use of insects as research models requires the development of methods for working with hemocytes. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for intracellular cytokine detection in Galleria mellonella larvae hemocytes based on flow cytometry. It describes the anticoagulant composition of the buffer, the optimal conditions for hemocyte permeabilization and fixation, as well as the conditions of cell centrifugation to prevent cell disintegration. A key element is the selection of staining conditions, especially the length of the incubation time with the primary antibody, which turned out to be much longer than recommended for mammalian cells. The development of these individual steps allowed for the creation of a reproducible protocol for cytokine detection using flow cytometry in wax moth hemocytes. This will certainly facilitate the development of further protocols allowing for wider use of insect cells in immunological research.
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12
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Spacova I, Ahannach S, Breynaert A, Erreygers I, Wittouck S, Bron PA, Van Beeck W, Eilers T, Alloul A, Blansaer N, Vlaeminck SE, Hermans N, Lebeer S. Spontaneous Riboflavin-Overproducing Limosilactobacillus reuteri for Biofortification of Fermented Foods. Front Nutr 2022; 9:916607. [PMID: 35757245 PMCID: PMC9218631 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.916607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Riboflavin-producing lactic acid bacteria represent a promising and cost-effective strategy for food biofortification, but production levels are typically insufficient to support daily human requirements. In this study, we describe the novel human isolate Limosilactobacillus reuteri AMBV339 as a strong food biofortification candidate. This strain shows a high natural riboflavin (vitamin B2) overproduction of 18.36 μg/ml, biomass production up to 6 × 1010 colony-forming units/ml (in the typical range of model lactobacilli), and pH-lowering capacities to a pH as low as 4.03 in common plant-based (coconut, soy, and oat) and cow milk beverages when cultured up to 72 h at 37°C. These properties were especially pronounced in coconut beverage and butter milk fermentations, and were sustained in co-culture with the model starter Streptococcus thermophilus. Furthermore, L. reuteri AMBV339 grown in laboratory media or in a coconut beverage survived in gastric juice and in a simulated gastrointestinal dialysis model with colon phase (GIDM-colon system) inoculated with fecal material from a healthy volunteer. Passive transport of L. reuteri AMBV339-produced riboflavin occurred in the small intestinal and colon stage of the GIDM system, and active transport via intestinal epithelial Caco-2 monolayers was also demonstrated. L. reuteri AMBV339 did not cause fecal microbiome perturbations in the GIDM-colon system and inhibited enteric bacterial pathogens in vitro. Taken together, our data suggests that L. reuteri AMBV339 represents a promising candidate to provide riboflavin fortification of plant-based and dairy foods, and has a high application potential in the human gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Spacova
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Ahannach
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annelies Breynaert
- Natural Products and Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isabel Erreygers
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stijn Wittouck
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter A Bron
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wannes Van Beeck
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Eilers
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Abbas Alloul
- Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Naïm Blansaer
- Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nina Hermans
- Natural Products and Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Lebeer
- Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology (ENdEMIC), Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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13
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Sayed R, Safwat NA, Amin BH, Yosri M. Study of the dual biological impacts of aqueous extracts of normal and gamma-irradiated Galleria mellonella larvae. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2022; 17:765-773. [PMID: 36050949 PMCID: PMC9396055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2021.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Galleria mellonella assimilates beeswax using many gut enzymes; however, high doses of gamma radiation have been used to eradicate such pests, affecting its life cycle. In vitro studies of irradiated extracts of G. mellonella against bacterial species as well as three tumour cell lines are demonstrated in the present study. The antibacterial and antitumour effects are compared with those of the non-irradiated Galleria mellonella larval extract. Methods The effect of different dose levels of gamma irradiation, ranging from 2 to 8 Gy, was tested on G. mellonella lipase, protease, and acid phosphate activities. The antimicrobial activity of un-irradiated and irradiated G. mellonella larval extracts was tested against different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and some fungi. The antitumour action was tested against different tumour cell lines. A cytotoxicity assay was performed on normal and irradiated larval extracts against normal human lung fibroblast cells. A microscopic examination of Streptococcus mutants and HepG-2 was performed using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Results Optimum results were obtained at 6 Gy, which enhanced maximum enzymatic activity. Maximum antimicrobial activity was obtained against Streptococcus mutants with MIC 31.25 μg/ml at a dose of 6 Gy. A microscopic examination depicted an apoptotic process for irradiated G. mellonella larvae with either Streptococcus mutants or HepG-2. Conclusion The present study shows a synergistic relationship between the G. mellonella larval extract and a 6 Gy radiation dose for further biomedical applications.
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Kaskatepe B, Aslan Erdem S, Ozturk S, Safi Oz Z, Subasi E, Koyuncu M, Vlainić J, Kosalec I. Antifungal and Anti-Virulent Activity of Origanum majorana L. Essential Oil on Candida albicans and In Vivo Toxicity in the Galleria mellonella Larval Model. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030663. [PMID: 35163928 PMCID: PMC8838586 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate and compare in detail both the antifungal activity in vitro (with planktonic and biofilm-forming cells) and the essential oil composition (EOs) of naturally growing (OMN) and cultivated (OMC) samples of Origanum majorana L. (marjoram). The essential oil composition was analyzed using GC-MS. The major constituent of both EOs was carvacrol: 75.3% and 84%, respectively. Both essential oils showed high antifungal activity against clinically relevant Candida spp. with IC50 and IC90 less than or equal to 0.5 µg mL−1 and inhibition of biofilm with a concentration of 3.5 µg mL−1 or less. Cultivated marjoram oil showed higher anti-biofilm activity against C. albicans. In addition, OMC showed greater inhibition of germ-tube formation (inhibition by 83% in Spider media), the major virulence factor of C. albicans at a concentration of 0.125 µg mL−1. Both EOs modulated cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), but OMN proved to be more active with a CSH% up to 58.41%. The efficacy of O. majorana EOs was also investigated using Galleria mellonella larvae as a model. It was observed that while the larvae of the control group infected with C. albicans (6.0 × 108 cells) and not receiving treatment died in the controls carried out after 24 h, all larvae in the infected treatment group survived at the end of the 96th hour. When the treatment group and the infected group were evaluated in terms of vital activities, it was found that the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The infection of larvae with C. albicans and the effects of O. majorana EOs on the hemocytes of the model organism and the blastospores of C. albicans were evaluated by light microscopy on slides stained with Giemsa. Cytological examination in the treatment group revealed that C. albicans blastospores were phagocytosed and morphological changes occurred in hemocytes. Our results indicated that the essential oil of both samples showed strong antifungal activities against planktonic and biofilm-forming C. albicans cells and also had an influence on putative virulence factors (germ-tube formation and its length and on CSH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Banu Kaskatepe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey;
| | - Sinem Aslan Erdem
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey;
| | - Sukran Ozturk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak 67100, Turkey;
| | - Zehra Safi Oz
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak 67100, Turkey;
| | - Eldan Subasi
- Microbiology Laboratory of Application and Research Hospital, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak 67100, Turkey;
| | - Mehmet Koyuncu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyprus International University, Lefkosa 99258, Turkey;
| | | | - Ivan Kosalec
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute for Microbiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1639-4492
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15
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Ménard G, Rouillon A, Cattoir V, Donnio PY. Galleria mellonella as a Suitable Model of Bacterial Infection: Past, Present and Future. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:782733. [PMID: 35004350 PMCID: PMC8727906 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.782733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing interest for Galleria mellonella larvae as an infection model is evidenced by the number of papers reporting its use, which increases exponentially since the early 2010s. This popularity was initially linked to limitation of conventional animal models due to financial, technical and ethical aspects. In comparison, alternative models (e.g. models using Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster or G. mellonella) were cheap, simple to use and not limited by ethical regulation. Since then, similar results have been established with G. mellonella model comparatively to vertebrates, and it is more and more often used as a robust model per se, not only as an alternative to the murine model. This review attempts to summarize the current knowledge supporting the development of this model, both on immunological and microbiological aspects. For that, we focus on investigation of virulence and new therapies for the most important pathogenic bacteria. We also discuss points out directions for standardization, as well as recent advances and new perspectives for monitoring host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Ménard
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Astrid Rouillon
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Cattoir
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Donnio
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
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16
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Development of a Phage Cocktail to Target Salmonella Strains Associated with Swine. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15010058. [PMID: 35056115 PMCID: PMC8777603 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by multidrug resistant Salmonella strains are problematic in swine and are entering human food chains. Bacteriophages (phages) could be used to complement or replace antibiotics to reduce infection within swine. Here, we extensively characterised six broad host range lytic Salmonella phages, with the aim of developing a phage cocktail to prevent or treat infection. Intriguingly, the phages tested differed by one to five single nucleotide polymorphisms. However, there were clear phenotypic differences between them, especially in their heat and pH sensitivity. In vitro killing assays were conducted to determine the efficacy of phages alone and when combined, and three cocktails reduced bacterial numbers by ~2 × 103 CFU/mL within two hours. These cocktails were tested in larvae challenge studies, and prophylactic treatment with phage cocktail SPFM10-SPFM14 was the most efficient. Phage treatment improved larvae survival to 90% after 72 h versus 3% in the infected untreated group. In 65% of the phage-treated larvae, Salmonella counts were below the detection limit, whereas it was isolated from 100% of the infected, untreated larvae group. This study demonstrates that phages effectively reduce Salmonella colonisation in larvae, which supports their ability to similarly protect swine.
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17
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Wang S, Liu H, Mao J, Peng Y, Yan Y, Li Y, Zhang N, Jiang L, Liu Y, Li J, Huang X. Pharmacodynamics of Linezolid Plus Fosfomycin Against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium in a Hollow Fiber Infection Model. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:779885. [PMID: 34970238 PMCID: PMC8714187 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.779885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The optimal therapy for severe infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) remains unclear, but the combination of linezolid and fosfomycin may be a good choice. The 24-h static-concentration time-kill study (SCTK) was used to preliminarily explore the pharmacodynamics of linezolid combined with fosfomycin against three clinical isolates. Subsequently, a hollow-fibre infection model (HFIM) was used for the first time to further investigate the pharmacodynamic activity of the co-administration regimen against selected isolates over 72 h. To further quantify the relationship between fosfomycin resistance and bacterial virulence in VREfm, the Galleria mellonella infection model and virulence genes expression experiments were also performed. The results of SCTK showed that the combination of linezolid and fosfomycin had additive effect on all strains. In the HFIM, the dosage regimen of linezolid (12 mg/L, steady-state concentration) combined with fosfomycin (8 g administered intravenously every 8 h as a 1 h infusion) not only produced a sustained bactericidal effect of 3∼4 log10 CFU/mL over 72 h, but also completely eradicated the resistant subpopulations. The expression of virulence genes was down-regulated to at least 0.222-fold in fosfomycin-resistant strains compared with baseline isolate, while survival rates of G. mellonella was increased (G. mellonella survival ≥45% at 72 h). For severe infections caused by VREfm, neither linezolid nor fosfomycin monotherapy regimens inhibited amplification of the resistant subpopulations, and the development of fosfomycin resistance was at the expense of the virulence of VREfm. The combination of linezolid with fosfomycin produced a sustained bactericidal effect and completely eradicated the resistant subpopulations. Linezolid plus Fosfomycin is a promising combination for therapy of severe infections caused by VREfm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Wang
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huiping Liu
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Mao
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yisong Yan
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yaowen Li
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lifang Jiang
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jiabin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaohui Huang
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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18
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Paudel A, Furuta Y, Higashi H. Silkworm model for Bacillus anthracis infection and virulence determination. Virulence 2021; 12:2285-2295. [PMID: 34490836 PMCID: PMC8425766 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1965830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is an obligate pathogen and a causative agent of anthrax. Its major virulence factors are plasmid-coded; however, recent studies have revealed chromosome-encoded virulence factors, indicating that the current understanding of its virulence mechanism is elusive and needs further investigation. In this study, we established a silkworm (Bombyx mori) infection model of B. anthracis. We showed that silkworms were killed by B. anthracis Sterne and cured of the infection when administered with antibiotics. We quantitatively determined the lethal dose of the bacteria that kills 50% larvae and effective doses of antibiotics that cure 50% infected larvae. Furthermore, we demonstrated that B. anthracis mutants with disruption in virulence genes such as pagA, lef, and atxA had attenuated silkworm-killing ability and reduced colonization in silkworm hemolymph. The silkworm infection model established in this study can be utilized in large-scale infection experiments to identify novel virulence determinants and develop novel therapeutic options against B. anthracis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atmika Paudel
- Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Furuta
- Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hideaki Higashi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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On the Offensive: the Role of Outer Membrane Vesicles in the Successful Dissemination of New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1). mBio 2021; 12:e0183621. [PMID: 34579567 PMCID: PMC8546644 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01836-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and worldwide dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria are a major public health threat. Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) represent the largest family of carbapenemases. Regrettably, these resistance determinants are spreading worldwide. Among them, the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) is experiencing the fastest and largest geographical spread. NDM-1 β-lactamase is anchored to the bacterial outer membrane, while most MBLs are soluble, periplasmic enzymes. This unique cellular localization favors the selective secretion of active NDM-1 into outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Here, we advance the idea that NDM-containing vesicles serve as vehicles for the local dissemination of NDM-1. We show that OMVs with NDM-1 can protect a carbapenem-susceptible strain of Escherichia coli upon treatment with meropenem in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Survival curves of G. mellonella revealed that vesicle encapsulation enhances the action of NDM-1, prolonging and favoring bacterial protection against meropenem inside the larva hemolymph. We also demonstrate that E. coli cells expressing NDM-1 protect a susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain within the larvae in the presence of meropenem. By using E. coli variants engineered to secrete variable amounts of NDM-1, we demonstrate that the protective effect correlates with the amount of NDM-1 secreted into vesicles. We conclude that secretion of NDM-1 into OMVs contributes to the survival of otherwise susceptible nearby bacteria at infection sites. These results disclose that OMVs play a role in the establishment of bacterial communities, in addition to traditional horizontal gene transfer mechanisms.
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20
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Pereira MF, Rossi CC, da Silva GC, Rosa JN, Bazzolli DMS. Galleria mellonella as an infection model: an in-depth look at why it works and practical considerations for successful application. Pathog Dis 2021; 78:5909969. [PMID: 32960263 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The larva of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an increasingly popular model for assessing the virulence of bacterial pathogens and the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. In this review, we discuss details of the components of the G. mellonella larval immune system that underpin its use as an alternative infection model, and provide an updated overview of the state of the art of research with G. mellonella infection models to study bacterial virulence, and in the evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy. Emphasis is given to virulence studies with relevant human and veterinary pathogens, especially Escherichia coli and bacteria of the ESKAPE group. In addition, we make practical recommendations for larval rearing and testing, and overcoming potential limitations of the use of the model, which facilitate intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monalessa Fábia Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, 36800-000, Carangola, MG, Brazil
| | - Ciro César Rossi
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Giarlã Cunha da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Nogueira Rosa
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Denise Mara Soares Bazzolli
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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Rosas-Díaz J, Escobar-Zepeda A, Adaya L, Rojas-Vargas J, Cuervo-Amaya DH, Sánchez-Reyes A, Pardo-López L. Paenarthrobacter sp. GOM3 Is a Novel Marine Species With Monoaromatic Degradation Relevance. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:713702. [PMID: 34413843 PMCID: PMC8369764 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.713702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Paenarthrobacter sp. GOM3, which is a strain that represents a new species-specific context within the genus Paenarthrobacter, is clearly a branched member independent of any group described thus far. This strain was recovered from marine sediments in the Gulf of Mexico, and despite being isolated from a consortium capable of growing with phenanthrene as a sole carbon source, this strain could not grow successfully in the presence of this substrate alone. We hypothesized that the GOM3 strain could participate in the assimilation of intermediate metabolites for the degradation of aromatic compounds. To date, there are no experimental reports of Paenarthrobacter species that degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or their intermediate metabolites. In this work, we report genomic and experimental evidence of metabolic benzoate, gentisate, and protocatechuate degradation by Paenarthrobacter sp. GOM3. Gentisate was the preferred substrate with the highest volumetric consumption rate, and genomic analysis revealed that this strain possesses multiple gene copies for the specific transport of gentisate. Furthermore, upon analyzing the GOM3 genome, we found five different dioxygenases involved in the activation of aromatic compounds, suggesting its potential for complete remediation of PAH-contaminated sites in combination with strains capable of assimilating the upper PAH degradation pathway. Additionally, this strain was characterized experimentally for its pathogenic potential and in silico for its antimicrobial resistance. An overview of the potential ecological role of this strain in the context of other members of this taxonomic clade is also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Rosas-Díaz
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autoónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Escobar-Zepeda
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Libertad Adaya
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autoónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Jorge Rojas-Vargas
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autoónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Diego Humberto Cuervo-Amaya
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autoónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Ayixon Sánchez-Reyes
- Cátedras Conacyt – Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Liliana Pardo-López
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autoónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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22
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Ahlawat S, Singh AK, Shankar A, Yadav A, Sharma KK. Infected insect gut reveals differentially expressed proteins for cellular redox, metal resistance and secretion system in Yersinia enterocolitica-Helicoverpa armigera pathogenic model. Biotechnol Lett 2021; 43:1845-1867. [PMID: 34165641 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03157-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mouse infection models are frequently used to study the host-pathogen interaction studies. However, due to several constraints, there is an urgent need for a simple, rapid, easy to handle, inexpensive, and ethically acceptable in vivo model system for studying the virulence of enteropathogens. Thus, the present study was performed to develop the larvae of Helicoverpa armigera as a rapid-inexpensive in vivo model system to evaluate the effect of Yersinia enterocolitica strain 8081 on its midgut via a label-free proteomic approach. RESULTS Helicoverpa armigera larvae fed with Yersinia enterocolitica strain 8081 manifested significant reduction in body weight and damage in midgut. On performing label-free proteomic study, secretory systems, putative hemolysin, and two-component system emerged as the main pathogenic proteins. Further, proteome comparison between control and Yersinia added diet-fed (YADF) insects revealed altered cytoskeletal proteins in response to increased melanization (via a prophenoloxidase cascade) and free radical generation. In concurrence, FTIR-spectroscopy, and histopathological and biochemical analysis confirmed gut damage in YADF insects. Finally, the proteome data suggests that the mechanism of infection and the host response in Y. enterocolitica-H. armigera system mimics Yersinia-mammalian gut interactions. CONCLUSIONS All data from current study collectively suggest that H. armigera larva can be considered as a potential in vivo model system for studying the enteropathogenic infection by Y. enterocolitica strain 8081.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Ahlawat
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Recombinant DNA Technology, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India
| | - Amarjeet Kumar Singh
- Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Akshay Shankar
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Recombinant DNA Technology, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India
| | - Asha Yadav
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Recombinant DNA Technology, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India
| | - Krishna Kant Sharma
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Recombinant DNA Technology, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India.
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23
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Paudel A, Hamamoto H, Panthee S, Matsumoto Y, Sekimizu K. Large-Scale Screening and Identification of Novel Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus Genes Using a Silkworm Infection Model. J Infect Dis 2021; 221:1795-1804. [PMID: 31912866 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulatory network of virulence factors produced by the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is unclear and the functions of many uncharacterized genes in its genome remain to be elucidated. In this study, we screened 380 genes whose function was unassigned, utilizing gene-disrupted transposon mutants of the community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus USA300 for pathogenicity in silkworms. We identified 10 strains with reduced silkworm killing ability. Among them, 8 displayed reduced virulence in a mouse model as evidenced by reduced colony-forming units in organs of infected mice. The role of each gene in pathogenicity was further confirmed by complementation and pathogenicity tests in silkworms, where we found that the phenotype was not restored in 1 strain. Additionally, some of the mutants displayed reduced hemolysis, proteolysis, pigment production, and survival in murine RAW 264.7 monocyte-macrophage cells. These newly identified genes involved in virulence will enhance our understanding of the pathogenicity of S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atmika Paudel
- Institute of Medical Mycology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Suresh Panthee
- Institute of Medical Mycology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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24
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Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substances from Probiotics as Therapeutic Agents for Candida Vulvovaginitis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10030306. [PMID: 33802636 PMCID: PMC8002407 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Probiotics can potentially prevent and treat diseases. We examined the inhibitory activity of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLISs) from potentially probiotic lactobacilli and streptococci on Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans clinical isolates from women with vulvovaginitis. Using agar well diffusion assays, BLISs inhibited both Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans isolates. The BLIS from L. pentosus isolates had the highest anti-Candida activity (33/45; 73.3%), followed by BLISs from isolates of L. paracasei subsp. paracasei (31/45; 68.9%), L. rhamnosus I (30/45; 66.7%), L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis I (30/45; 66.7%), and S. uberis II (30/45; 66.7%). Upon characterization according to the retained activity under variable physical and chemical conditions, the BLISs showed stability against heat, pH, and surfactants, but were protease-sensitive, which suggests a proteinaceous nature of the active substances. Using crystal violet assays, the BLISs reduced the Candida biofilm biomass significantly as compared to a control group that lacked BLISs. In vivo testing of the antagonistic activity was performed using the Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) larvae model. BLISs significantly improved survival in G. mellonella larvae treated with Candida isolates on the first, second, and seventh days, as compared to larvae inoculated with Candida only (p < 0.01). The results show that BLISs can be used as biotherapeutic agents in vulvovaginal candidiasis.
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25
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Zhong ZX, Cui ZH, Li XJ, Tang T, Zheng ZJ, Ni WN, Fang LX, Zhou YF, Yu Y, Liu YH, Liao XP, Sun J. Nitrofurantoin Combined With Amikacin: A Promising Alternative Strategy for Combating MDR Uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:608547. [PMID: 33409159 PMCID: PMC7779487 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.608547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common infections that can be mild to life threatening. However, increased bacterial resistance and poor patient compliance rates have limited the effectiveness of conventional antibiotic therapies. Here, we investigated the relationship between nitrofurantoin and amikacin against 12 clinical MDR uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains both in vitro and in an experimental Galleria mellonella model. In vitro synergistic effects were observed in all 12 test strains by standard checkerboard and time-kill assays. Importantly, amikacin or nitrofurantoin at half of the clinical doses were not effective in the treatment of UPEC infections in the G. mellonella model but the combination therapy significantly increased G. mellonella survival from infections caused by all 12 study UPEC strains. Taken together, these results demonstrated synergy effects between nitrofurantoin and amikacin against MDR UPEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Xing Zhong
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Hua Cui
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian Tang
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Jian Zheng
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Na Ni
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang-Xing Fang
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Feng Zhou
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yu
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya-Hong Liu
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Liao
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Sun
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Liu X, Kimmey JM, Matarazzo L, de Bakker V, Van Maele L, Sirard JC, Nizet V, Veening JW. Exploration of Bacterial Bottlenecks and Streptococcus pneumoniae Pathogenesis by CRISPRi-Seq. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 29:107-120.e6. [PMID: 33120116 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes invasive diseases, including pneumonia, with greater health risks upon influenza A virus (IAV) co-infection. To facilitate pathogenesis studies in vivo, we developed an inducible CRISPR interference system that enables genome-wide fitness testing in one sequencing step (CRISPRi-seq). We applied CRISPRi-seq to assess bottlenecks and identify pneumococcal genes important in a murine pneumonia model. A critical bottleneck occurs at 48 h with few bacteria causing systemic infection. This bottleneck is not present during IAV superinfection, facilitating identification of pneumococcal pathogenesis-related genes. Top in vivo essential genes included purA, encoding adenylsuccinate synthetase, and the cps operon required for capsule production. Surprisingly, CRISPRi-seq indicated no fitness-related role for pneumolysin during superinfection. Interestingly, although metK (encoding S-adenosylmethionine synthetase) was essential in vitro, it was dispensable in vivo. This highlights advantages of CRISPRi-seq over transposon-based genetic screens, as all genes, including essential genes, can be tested for pathogenesis potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline M Kimmey
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Laura Matarazzo
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Vincent de Bakker
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Laurye Van Maele
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Jean-Claude Sirard
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jan-Willem Veening
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland.
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27
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Piatek M, Sheehan G, Kavanagh K. UtilisingGalleria mellonella larvae for studying in vivo activity of conventional and novel antimicrobial agents. Pathog Dis 2020; 78:5917982. [DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe immune response of insects displays many structural and functional similarities to the innate immune response of mammals. As a result of these conserved features, insects may be used for evaluating microbial virulence or for testing the in vivo efficacy and toxicity of antimicrobial compounds and results show strong similarities to those from mammals. Galleria mellonella larvae are widely used in this capacity and have the advantage of being easy to use, inexpensive to purchase and house, and being free from the ethical and legal restrictions that relate to the use of mammals in these tests. Galleria mellonella larvae may be used to assess the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of novel antimicrobial compounds. A wide range of antibacterial and antifungal therapies have been evaluated in G. mellonella larvae and results have informed subsequent experiments in mammals. While insect larvae are a convenient and reproducible model to use, care must be taken in their use to ensure accuracy of results. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive account of the use of G. mellonella larvae for assessing the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of a wide range of antibacterial and antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Piatek
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Gerard Sheehan
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- SSPC Pharma Research Centre, Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare W23 F2H6, Ireland
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28
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Abstract
The antibiotic resistance crisis has led to renewed interest in phage therapy as an alternative means of treating infection. However, conventional methods for isolating pathogen-specific phage are slow, labor-intensive, and frequently unsuccessful. We have demonstrated that computationally identified prophages carried by near-neighbor bacteria can serve as starting material for production of engineered phages that kill the target pathogen. Our approach and technology platform offer new opportunity for rapid development of phage therapies against most, if not all, bacterial pathogens, a foundational advance for use of phage in treating infectious disease. New therapies are necessary to combat increasingly antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. We have developed a technology platform of computational, molecular biology, and microbiology tools which together enable on-demand production of phages that target virtually any given bacterial isolate. Two complementary computational tools that identify and precisely map prophages and other integrative genetic elements in bacterial genomes are used to identify prophage-laden bacteria that are close relatives of the target strain. Phage genomes are engineered to disable lysogeny, through use of long amplicon PCR and Gibson assembly. Finally, the engineered phage genomes are introduced into host bacteria for phage production. As an initial demonstration, we used this approach to produce a phage cocktail against the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Two prophage-laden P. aeruginosa strains closely related to PAO1 were identified, ATCC 39324 and ATCC 27853. Deep sequencing revealed that mitomycin C treatment of these strains induced seven phages that grow on P. aeruginosa PAO1. The most diverse five phages were engineered for nonlysogeny by deleting the integrase gene (int), which is readily identifiable and typically conveniently located at one end of the prophage. The Δint phages, individually and in cocktails, killed P. aeruginosa PAO1 in liquid culture as well as in a waxworm (Galleria mellonella) model of infection. IMPORTANCE The antibiotic resistance crisis has led to renewed interest in phage therapy as an alternative means of treating infection. However, conventional methods for isolating pathogen-specific phage are slow, labor-intensive, and frequently unsuccessful. We have demonstrated that computationally identified prophages carried by near-neighbor bacteria can serve as starting material for production of engineered phages that kill the target pathogen. Our approach and technology platform offer new opportunity for rapid development of phage therapies against most, if not all, bacterial pathogens, a foundational advance for use of phage in treating infectious disease.
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29
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Cools F, Triki D, Geerts N, Delputte P, Fourches D, Cos P. In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of in silico Predicted Pneumococcal UDPG:PP Inhibitors. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1596. [PMID: 32760374 PMCID: PMC7373766 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumonia, of which Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common causative agent, is considered one of the three top leading causes of death worldwide. As seen in other bacterial species, antimicrobial resistance is on the rise for this pathogen. Therefore, there is a pressing need for novel antimicrobial strategies to combat these infections. Recently, uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (UDPG:PP) has been put forward as a potential drug target worth investigating. Moreover, earlier research demonstrated that streptococci lacking a functional galU gene (encoding for UDPG:PP) were characterized by significantly reduced in vitro and in vivo virulence. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the anti-virulence activity of potential UDPG:PP inhibitors. They were selected in silico using a tailor-made streptococcal homology model, based on earlier listerial research. While the compounds didn’t affect bacterial growth, nor affected in vitro adhesion to and phagocytosis in macrophages, the amount of polysaccharide capsule was significantly reduced after co-incubation with these inhibitors. Moreover, co-incubation proved to have a positive effect on survival in an in vivo Galleria mellonella larval infection model. Therefore, rather than targeting bacterial survival directly, these compounds proved to have an effect on streptococcal virulence by lowering the amount of polysaccharide and thereby probably boosting recognition of this pathogen by the innate immune system. While the compounds need adaptation to broaden their activity to more streptococcal strains rather than being strain-specific, this study consolidates UDPG:PP as a potential novel drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya Cools
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dhoha Triki
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Nele Geerts
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Denis Fourches
- Department of Chemistry, Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Paul Cos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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30
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Torres M, Pinzón EN, Rey FM, Martinez H, Parra Giraldo CM, Celis Ramírez AM. Galleria mellonella as a Novelty in vivo Model of Host-Pathogen Interaction for Malassezia furfur CBS 1878 and Malassezia pachydermatis CBS 1879. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:199. [PMID: 32432057 PMCID: PMC7214729 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia furfur and Malassezia pachydermatis are lipophilic and lipid dependent yeasts, associated with the skin microbiota in humans and domestic animals, respectively. Although they are commensals, under specific conditions they become pathogens, causing skin conditions, such as pityriasis versicolor, dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis in humans, and dermatitis and otitis in dogs. Additionally, these species are associated with fungemia in immunocompromised patients and low-weight neonates in intensive care units with intravenous catheters or with parenteral nutrition and that are under-treatment of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The host-pathogen interaction mechanism in these yeasts is still unclear; for this reason, it is necessary to implement suitable new host systems, such as Galleria mellonella. This infection model has been widely used to assess virulence, host-pathogen interaction, and antimicrobial activity in bacteria and fungi. Some advantages of the G. mellonella model are: (1) the immune response has phagocytic cells and antimicrobial peptides that are similar to those in the innate immune response of human beings; (2) no ethical implications; (3) low cost; and (4) easy to handle and inoculate. This study aims to establish G. mellonella as an in vivo infection model for M. furfur and M. pachydermatis. To achieve this objective, first, G. mellonella larvae were first inoculated with different inoculum concentrations of these two Malassezia species, 1.5 × 106 CFU/mL, 1.5 × 107 CFU/mL, 1.5 × 108 CFU/mL, and 11.5 × 109 CFU/mL, and incubated at 33 and 37°C. Then, for 15 days, the mortality and melanization were evaluated daily. Finally, the characterization of hemocytes and fungal burden assessment were as carried out. It was found that at 33 and 37°C both M. furfur and M. pachydermatis successfully established a systemic infection in G. mellonella. M. pachydermatis proved to be slightly more virulent than M. furfur at a temperature of 37°C. The results suggest that larvae mortality and melanization is dependent on the specie of Malassezia, the inoculum concentration and the temperature. According to the findings, G. mellonella can be used as an in vivo model of infection to conduct easy and reliable approaches to boost our knowledge of the Malassezia genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Torres
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Elkin Nicolás Pinzón
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Flor Maria Rey
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Heydys Martinez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Marcela Parra Giraldo
- Unidad de Investigación en Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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31
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Indomethacin-induced gut damage in a surrogate insect model, Galleria mellonella. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:2347-2360. [PMID: 31270586 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02508-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that causes gastric ulceration and increased 'leakiness' in rat models, and is used routinely as a toxicology assay to screen novel compounds for repair and restitution properties. We set out to establish conditions for indomethacin-induced gut damage in wax-moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae with a view to reducing the need for rodents in such experimentation. We administered indomethacin (0.5-7.5 µg/larva; 2-30 mg/kg) to G. mellonella via intrahaemocoelic injection and gavage (force-feeding) and monitored survival and development, blood cell (haemocyte) numbers, and changes in gut permeability. Increased levels of gut leakiness were observed within the first 4- to 24 h by tracking fluorescent microspheres in the faeces and haemolymph (blood equivalent). Additionally, we recorded varying levels of tissue damage in histological sections of the insect midgut, including epithelial sloughing and cell necrosis. Degeneration of the midgut was accompanied by significant increases in detoxification-associated activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase). Herein, we present the first evidence that G. mellonella larvae force-fed indomethacin display broad symptoms of gastric damage similar to their rodent counterparts.
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