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Withatanung P, Janesomboon S, Vanaporn M, Muangsombut V, Charoensudjai S, Baker DJ, Wuthiekanun V, Galyov EE, Clokie MRJ, Gundogdu O, Korbsrisate S. Induced Burkholderia prophages detected from the hemoculture: a biomarker for Burkholderia pseudomallei infection. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1361121. [PMID: 38633694 PMCID: PMC11022660 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1361121] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria, are found in abundance not only in the environment but also in the human body. The use of phages for the diagnosis of melioidosis, a tropical infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is emerging as a promising novel approach, but our understanding of conditions under which Burkholderia prophages can be induced remains limited. Here, we first demonstrated the isolation of Burkholderia phages from the hemocultures of melioidosis patients. The B. pseudomallei-positive hemoculture bottles were filtered to remove bacteria, and then phages were isolated and purified by spot and double agar overlay plaque assays. Forty blood samples (hemoculture-confirmed melioidosis) were tested, and phages were found in 30% of the samples. Transmission electron microscopy and genome analysis of the isolated phages, vB_HM387 and vB_HM795, showed that both phages are Myoviruses. These two phages were stable at a pH of 5-7 and temperatures of 25-37°C, suggesting their ability to survive in human blood. The genome sizes of vB_HM387 and vB_HM795 are 36.3 and 44.0 kb, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that vB_HM387 has homologs, but vB_HM795 is a novel Myovirus, suggesting the heterogeneity of Burkholderia phages in melioidosis patients. The key finding that Burkholderia phages could be isolated from the blood of melioidosis patients highlights the potential application of phage-based assays by detecting phages in blood as a pathogen-derived biomarker of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patoo Withatanung
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sujintana Janesomboon
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Muthita Vanaporn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Veerachat Muangsombut
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Dave J. Baker
- Science Operations, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Vanaporn Wuthiekanun
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Edouard E. Galyov
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Martha R. J. Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ozan Gundogdu
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sunee Korbsrisate
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Shan J, Jia Y, Mijatovic T. Use of Specific Borrelia Phages as a New Strategy for Improved Diagnostic Tests. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2742:99-104. [PMID: 38165618 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3561-2_8] [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] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
The high failure rate of tick-borne infection (TBI)-related testing underscores the need for novel approaches that do not rely on serology and two-tier testing. Delayed diagnosis of TBIs, especially Borrelia infections, results in high healthcare costs and great suffering. There is a significant need for a reliable blood test that can aid in the diagnosis of Lyme disease, particularly when the current FDA-approved serological test is not sensitive enough to detect early Lyme patients who have not yet produced antibodies against Borrelia. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically associate with their bacterial hosts, particularly prophages, bacteriophages residing in bacteria, and have proven to be tightly correlated with their bacterial hosts. They are poised to have wider applications as markers to detect bacteria, particularly in infectious disease. The gene of choice depends on the prevalence of phages within a particular group of bacteria. Phage genes that have been used as molecular markers to examine phage diversity include structural genes encoding the major capsid protein, the portal protein, the DNA polymerase, and the terminase. Borrelia species carry specific phage sequences that can be used as a proxy to identify the bacteria. Using phages as a proxy for bacteria is beneficial, as phages can be detected more easily than bacteria and can be used to bypass the cryptic and tissue-bound feature that typifies human Borrelia infections.We explored a completely new way of detecting Borrelia using Borrelia-specific bacteriophages as a diagnostic tool. Our detection method, patented by Phelix R&D and Leicester University (WO2018083491A1), could potentially transform infectious disease diagnostics through the innovative use of real-time PCR to target circulating bacteriophage DNA in blood from patients with Lyme disease. Firstly, this bacteriophage-based approach offers increased sensitivity since bacteriophages are typically present in five- to tenfold excess over bacterial cells, making it more accurate and sensitive than conventional bacteria-targeting PCR tests. One of the reasons bacteria-based PCR tests are frequently negative is due to the low bacterial concentration in the blood. Bacteriophage-based PCR surpasses this barrier and offers a direct test, as phages are part of bacteria's own genetic material, in contrast to all existing indirect tests (ELISA, Western BLOT, LTT/ELISPOT test). Secondly, a phage-based test can differentiate between different Lyme disease-causing and relapsing fever-causing Borrelia subtypes (B. burgdorferi s. l., B. miyamotoi, etc.), given that bacteriophages are indicators of bacterial identity. Finally, this test can detect Lyme disease in both early and late stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Shan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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Cardenas-Cadena SA, Castañeda-Lopez ME, Mollinedo-Montaño FE, Vazquez-Reyes S, Lara-Arias J, Marino-Martinez IA, Rodriguez-Sanchez IP, Garza-Veloz I, Martinez-Fierro ML. Tick-Borne Pathogens Screening Using a Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Method. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:705-710. [PMID: 37531009 PMCID: PMC10462521 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00702-0] [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: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to develop and evaluate a cost-effective, user-friendly multiplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method for detecting multiple tick-borne pathogens associated with human and veterinary diseases. METHODS In silico PCR was performed to design and evaluate primer sequences reported for amplifying Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., and Ehrlichia spp. Single and multiplex qPCR assays were then standardized to detect individual pathogens and multiple pathogens in a single reaction. Positive controls were generated to determine the dynamic range of the methods. In the validation phase, a total of 800 samples were screened for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. RESULTS Identification in a single qPCR reaction (multiplex) of Ehrlichia spp., and Borrelia spp. with a limit of detection of 10 copies and Rickettsia spp. with 100 copies, a PCR efficiency (E) of 90-100% and a coefficient of correlation (R2) of 0.998-0.996 for all pathogens. CONCLUSION The ability to detect three significant pathogens (Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia spp.) in a single qPCR reaction offers a significant advantage in the field of molecular diagnostics for tick-borne diseases. This advancement has a profound impact on public health as it facilitates the selection of appropriate treatment protocols, thereby reducing complications associated with disease progression. The streamlined approach provided by this method simplifies the diagnostic process and enables timely intervention, ultimately improving patient outcomes and mitigating the potential risks associated with untreated or misdiagnosed tick-borne infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Andres Cardenas-Cadena
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Maria Eugenia Castañeda-Lopez
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Fabiana Esther Mollinedo-Montaño
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Sodel Vazquez-Reyes
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Jorge Lara-Arias
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Facultad de Medicina y Hospital Universitario 'Dr. José E. González', Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460, México
| | - Ivan Alberto Marino-Martinez
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Center for Research and Development in Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460, México
| | - Iram Pablo Rodriguez-Sanchez
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Physiology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 66455, México
| | - Idalia Garza-Veloz
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Margarita L Martinez-Fierro
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México.
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Guérin M, Shawky M, Zedan A, Octave S, Avalle B, Maffucci I, Padiolleau-Lefèvre S. Lyme borreliosis diagnosis: state of the art of improvements and innovations. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:204. [PMID: 37528399 PMCID: PMC10392007 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02935-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
With almost 700 000 estimated cases each year in the United States and Europe, Lyme borreliosis (LB), also called Lyme disease, is the most common tick-borne illness in the world. Transmitted by ticks of the genus Ixodes and caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, LB occurs with various symptoms, such as erythema migrans, which is characteristic, whereas others involve blurred clinical features such as fatigue, headaches, arthralgia, and myalgia. The diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis, based on a standard two-tiered serology, is the subject of many debates and controversies, since it relies on an indirect approach which suffers from a low sensitivity depending on the stage of the disease. Above all, early detection of the disease raises some issues. Inappropriate diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis leads to therapeutic wandering, inducing potential chronic infection with a strong antibody response that fails to clear the infection. Early and proper detection of Lyme disease is essential to propose an adequate treatment to patients and avoid the persistence of the pathogen. This review presents the available tests, with an emphasis on the improvements of the current diagnosis, the innovative methods and ideas which, ultimately, will allow more precise detection of LB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickaël Guérin
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique Et Cellulaire (GEC), CNRS UMR 7025, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60203, Compiègne, France
| | - Marc Shawky
- Connaissance Organisation Et Systèmes TECHniques (COSTECH), EA 2223, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60203, Compiègne, France
| | - Ahed Zedan
- Polyclinique Saint Côme, 7 Rue Jean Jacques Bernard, 60204, Compiègne, France
| | - Stéphane Octave
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique Et Cellulaire (GEC), CNRS UMR 7025, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60203, Compiègne, France
| | - Bérangère Avalle
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique Et Cellulaire (GEC), CNRS UMR 7025, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60203, Compiègne, France
| | - Irene Maffucci
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique Et Cellulaire (GEC), CNRS UMR 7025, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60203, Compiègne, France
| | - Séverine Padiolleau-Lefèvre
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique Et Cellulaire (GEC), CNRS UMR 7025, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60203, Compiègne, France.
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Shan J, Jia Y, Hickenbotham P, Teulières L, Clokie MRJ. Combining citizen science and molecular diagnostic methods to investigate the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Borrelia miyamotoi in tick pools across Great Britain. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1126498. [PMID: 37180256 PMCID: PMC10169747 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1126498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease and is caused by a group of bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex. Sharing the same genus as B. burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi is a distinct genotype that causes relapsing fever disease. This emerging tick-borne disease is increasingly becoming a concern in public health. To investigate the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi in ticks first, we developed a PCR (Bmer-qPCR) that targets the phage terminase large subunit (terL) gene carried by B. miyamotoi. A similar approach had been used successfully in developing Ter-qPCR for detecting B. burgdorferi s.l. The terL protein functions as an enzyme in packaging phage DNA. Analytical validation of the Bmer-qPCR confirmed its specificity, efficiency and sensitivity. Second, we designed a citizen science-based approach to detect 838 ticks collected from numerous sites across Great Britain. Finally, we applied Bmer-qPCR and Ter-qPCR to 153 tick pools and revealed that the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi was dependent on their geographical locations, i.e. Scotland showed a higher rate of B. burgdorferi s.l. and lower rate of B. miyamotoi carriage as compared to those of the England data. A pattern of diminishing rate of B. miyamotoi carriage from southern England to northern Scotland was visible. Together, the citizen science-based approach provided an estimation of the carriage rate of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi in tick pools and a potential spreading pattern of B. miyamotoi from the south to the north of Great Britain. Our findings underscore the power of combining citizen science with the molecular diagnostic method to reveal hidden pattern of pathogen-host-environment interplay. Our approach can provide a powerful tool to elucidate the ecology of tick-borne diseases and may offer guidance for pathogen control initiatives. In an era of limited resources, monitoring pathogens requires both field and laboratory support. Citizen science approaches provide a method to empower the public for sample collection. Coupling citizen science approaches with laboratory diagnostic tests can make real-time monitoring of pathogen distribution and prevalence possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Shan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hickenbotham
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martha R. J. Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Strathdee SA, Hatfull GF, Mutalik VK, Schooley RT. Phage therapy: From biological mechanisms to future directions. Cell 2023; 186:17-31. [PMID: 36608652 PMCID: PMC9827498 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 153.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Increasing antimicrobial resistance rates have revitalized bacteriophage (phage) research, the natural predators of bacteria discovered over 100 years ago. In order to use phages therapeutically, they should (1) preferably be lytic, (2) kill the bacterial host efficiently, and (3) be fully characterized to exclude side effects. Developing therapeutic phages takes a coordinated effort of multiple stakeholders. Herein, we review the state of the art in phage therapy, covering biological mechanisms, clinical applications, remaining challenges, and future directions involving naturally occurring and genetically modified or synthetic phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffanie A Strathdee
- Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, USA.
| | - Graham F Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Vivek K Mutalik
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Robert T Schooley
- Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, USA
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Vourc'h G, Un K, Berthet E, Frey-Klett P, Le Masson P, Weil B, Lesens O. Design theory to better target public health priorities: An application to Lyme disease in France. Front Public Health 2022; 10:980086. [PMID: 36419992 PMCID: PMC9676681 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.980086] [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: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of complex public health challenges led by interdependent changes such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resistance to treatment, it is important to mobilize methods that guide us to generate innovative interventions in a context of uncertainty and unknown. Here, we mobilized the concept-knowledge (CK) design theory to identify innovative, cross-sectoral, and cross-disciplinary research and design programs that address the challenges posed by tick-borne Lyme disease in France, which is of growing importance in the French public health and healthcare systems. Within the CK methodological framework, we developed an iterative approach based on literature analysis, expert interviews, analysis of active French research projects, and work with CK experts to contribute to design "an action plan against Lyme disease." We produced a CK diagram that highlights innovative concepts that could be addressed in research projects. The outcome is discussed within four areas: (i) effectiveness; (ii) environmental sustainability in prevention actions; (iii) the promotion of constructive involvement of citizens in Lyme challenges; and (iv) the development of care protocols for chronic conditions with an unknown diagnosis. Altogether, our analysis questioned the health targets ranging from population to ecosystem, the citizen involvement, and the patient consideration. This means integrating social and ecological science, as well as the multidisciplinary medical patient journey, from the start. CK theory is a promising framework to assist public health professionals in designing programs for complex yet urgent contexts, where research and data collection are still not sufficient to provide clear guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaël Vourc'h
- INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Université Clermont Auvergne, Saint Genès Champanelle, France,INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Katherine Un
- INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Université Clermont Auvergne, Saint Genès Champanelle, France,INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France,Centre de Gestion Scientifique, i3 UMR CNRS 9217, MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Elsa Berthet
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR SADAPT, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France,USC 1339, Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, INRAE, Villiers-en-Bois, France,UMR 7372 Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS, Univ. La Rochelle, Beauvoir-sur-Niort, France
| | | | - Pascal Le Masson
- Centre de Gestion Scientifique, i3 UMR CNRS 9217, MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Benoit Weil
- Centre de Gestion Scientifique, i3 UMR CNRS 9217, MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Lesens
- Université Clermont Auvergne UMR, CNRS 6023, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome Environnement (LMGE), Clermont-Ferrand, France,Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre de référence pour la prise en charge des infections ostéo-articulaires complexes (CRIOA), Centre de Référence pour les Maladies Vectorielles liées aux Tiques (CRMVT), 3IHP, CHU, Clermont-Ferrand, France,*Correspondence: Olivier Lesens
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Socarras KM, Haslund-Gourley BS, Cramer NA, Comunale MA, Marconi RT, Ehrlich GD. Large-Scale Sequencing of Borreliaceae for the Construction of Pan-Genomic-Based Diagnostics. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1604. [PMID: 36140772 PMCID: PMC9498496 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The acceleration of climate change has been associated with an alarming increase in the prevalence and geographic range of tick-borne diseases (TBD), many of which have severe and long-lasting effects-particularly when treatment is delayed principally due to inadequate diagnostics and lack of physician suspicion. Moreover, there is a paucity of treatment options for many TBDs that are complicated by diagnostic limitations for correctly identifying the offending pathogens. This review will focus on the biology, disease pathology, and detection methodologies used for the Borreliaceae family which includes the Lyme disease agent Borreliella burgdorferi. Previous work revealed that Borreliaceae genomes differ from most bacteria in that they are composed of large numbers of replicons, both linear and circular, with the main chromosome being the linear with telomeric-like termini. While these findings are novel, additional gene-specific analyses of each class of these multiple replicons are needed to better understand their respective roles in metabolism and pathogenesis of these enigmatic spirochetes. Historically, such studies were challenging due to a dearth of both analytic tools and a sufficient number of high-fidelity genomes among the various taxa within this family as a whole to provide for discriminative and functional genomic studies. Recent advances in long-read whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and machine-learning have provided the tools to better understand the fundamental biology and phylogeny of these genomically-complex pathogens while also providing the data for the development of improved diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M. Socarras
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Benjamin S. Haslund-Gourley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Mary Ann Comunale
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Richard T. Marconi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Garth D. Ehrlich
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Center for Surgical Infections and Biofilms, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
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Yuste RA, Muenkel M, Axarlis K, Gómez Benito MJ, Reuss A, Blacker G, Tal MC, Kraiczy P, Bastounis EE. Borrelia burgdorferi modulates the physical forces and immunity signaling in endothelial cells. iScience 2022; 25:104793. [PMID: 35992087 PMCID: PMC9389243 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), a vector-borne bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of Lyme disease, can spread to distant tissues in the human host by traveling in and through monolayers of endothelial cells (ECs) lining the vasculature. To examine whether Bb alters the physical forces of ECs to promote its dissemination, we exposed ECs to Bb and observed a sharp and transient increase in EC traction and intercellular forces, followed by a prolonged decrease in EC motility and physical forces. All variables returned to baseline at 24 h after exposure. RNA sequencing analysis revealed an upregulation of innate immune signaling pathways during early but not late Bb exposure. Exposure of ECs to heat-inactivated Bb recapitulated only the early weakening of EC mechanotransduction. The differential responses to live versus heat-inactivated Bb indicate a tight interplay between innate immune signaling and physical forces in host ECs and suggest their active modulation by Bb. Early exposure to Borrelia decreases endothelial cell motility and physical forces Early exposure to Borrelia also upregulates the host’s innate immune signaling pathways Host cell mechanics and signaling return to steady state at late exposure times Exposure to dead bacteria steadily reduces motility and physical forces of host cells
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Improving Environmental DNA Sensitivity for Dreissenid Mussels by Targeting Tandem Repeat Regions of the Mitochondrial Genome. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14132069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The recent genetic revolution through the analysis of aquatic environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a powerful tool for improving the detection of rare and/or invasive species. For the majority of eDNA studies, genetic assays are designed to target mitochondrial genes commonly referred to as “barcode” regions. However, unlike the typical structure of an animal mitochondrial genome, those for the invasive zebra and quagga mussels are greatly expanded with large extended tandem repeat regions. These sections of repeated DNA can appear hundreds of times within the genome compared to a single copy for the mitochondrial barcode genes. This higher number of target copies per mitochondrial genome presents an opportunity to increase eDNA assay sensitivity for these species. Therefore, we designed and evaluated new eDNA assays to target the extended repeat sections for both zebra and quagga mussels. These assays lower the limit of detection of genomic DNA by 100-fold for zebra mussels and 10-fold for quagga mussels. Additionally, these newly developed assays provided longer durations of detection during degradation mesocosm experiments and greater sensitivity for eDNA detection from water samples collected across western Lake Erie compared to standard assays targeting mitochondrial genes. This work illustrates how understanding the complete genomic structure of an organism can improve eDNA analysis.
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van de Schoor FR, Baarsma ME, Leeflang MMG, Fingerle V, Margos G, Hovius JW, van Dam AP. Opinion: Methodological Shortcomings in the Study on a Prophage-based PCR Test for Lyme Borreliosis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:802131. [PMID: 34966377 PMCID: PMC8710760 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.802131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Freek R van de Schoor
- Radboudumc, Department of Internal Medicine, Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases and Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - M E Baarsma
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mariska M G Leeflang
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,ESCMID Study Group for Lyme Borreliosis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gabriele Margos
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,ESCMID Study Group for Lyme Borreliosis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,ESCMID Study Group for Lyme Borreliosis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alje P van Dam
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,ESCMID Study Group for Lyme Borreliosis, Basel, Switzerland
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Jernigan DA, Hart MC, Dodd KK, Jameson S, Farney T. Induced Native Phage Therapy for the Treatment of Lyme Disease and Relapsing Fever: A Retrospective Review of First 14 Months in One Clinic. Cureus 2021; 13:e20014. [PMID: 34873551 PMCID: PMC8636187 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The overall failure rate of standard therapeutic options for late/chronic/persistent borreliosis emphasizes the need for novel therapeutic strategies. In this report, we are presenting a novel therapeutic option based on a new technology, Induced Native Phage Therapy (INPT; PhagenCorp, LLC, Sarasota, FL), and its ability to facilitate the elimination of infection more rapidly, efficiently, and with less harm to the patient than conventional treatments. Borrelia species in the environment are themselves always infected by their own type of Borrelia bacteriophages. Both the Borrelia spirochete and the Borrelia bacteriophages are transmitted into humans via the bite of a vector, such as ticks. The Borrelia bacteriophages (phages) are called native phages in that they coexist naturally within the human body, and only infect the specific bacteria host population. Native phages persist in humans only as long as there are host bacteria of the correct type to continue replicating more phages. The purposeful manipulation of native phages to kill their host bacteria is the basis of INPT. INPT is a patent-pending technology that uses a proprietary adjunctive assay called Biospectral Emission Sequencing to identify and isolate the specific complex electromagnetic signatures necessary to induce the native phages to epigenetically revert from their normal quiescent, lysogenic activity to virulent, lytic activity, thereby killing their host bacteria. The strategic subtle, low-frequency/low-energy signatures are imprinted into a proprietary oral formula, Inducen-LD, which serves as a carrier to introduce the signals therapeutically into the body. As a proof-of-concept method validation, a total of 26 patients with post-treatment (antibiotic) Lyme disease syndrome, who initially were found upon Phelix Borrelia-phage testing (R.E.D. Laboratories, Belgium) to have one or more Borrelia species, were submitted to INPT treatment. A total of 20 patients (77%) were found to be negative after two weeks of the total program of care. Six patients who remained positive after the initial therapy received an extended INPT treatment and were retested. Four were subsequently found to be negative for one or more of their previously diagnosed Borrelia strains. Thus a total of 24 out of 26 (92%) patients were successfully treated with INPT. Mild to substantial clinical improvements were reported by all participants without noticeable adverse reactions to the INPT treatments. We have demonstrated a possible mechanism in which native bacteriophages can be induced to epigenetically switch from lysogenic to lytic actions, thereby eliminating the targeted bacteria efficiently, with little to no harm to tissues or the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Jernigan
- Biological Medicine, Biologix Center for Optimum Health, Franklin, USA
| | - Martin C Hart
- Biological Medicine, Biologix Center for Optimum Health, Franklin, USA
| | - Keeley K Dodd
- Research and Development, PhagenCorp, LLC, Sarasota, USA
| | - Samuel Jameson
- Biological Medicine, Biologix Center for Optimum Health, Franklin, USA
| | - Todd Farney
- Biological Medicine, Biologix Center for Optimum Health, Franklin, USA
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