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Chandran S, Hewawaduge C, Aganja RP, Lee JH. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic dual-expression plasmid-mediated delivery of Campylobacter jejuni antigens by live-attenuated Salmonella: A strategy for concurrent Th1 and Th2 immune activation and protection in chickens. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 153:105134. [PMID: 38190867 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Salmonella and Campylobacter are food-borne pathogens that significantly affect poultry production and are transmitted to humans. Long-term protection against these pathogens in chicken relies on a balanced Th1 and Th2 response. C. jejuni antigens were screened and a fusion antigen, including CadF + FlaA adhesin and flagellin antigenic fragments was developed and safely delivered by low-endotoxicity S. Typhimurium through pJHL270, a dual-expression plasmid featuring prokaryotic (Ptrc) and eukaryotic (CMV) promoters. Antigen expression in Salmonella and host cells was confirmed by western blotting and IFA. The vaccine construct JOL2999, triggered significant increases in IgY, IgA antibodies, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, indicating humoral, mucosal, and cell-mediated responses against both pathogens. Elevations in pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, INF-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 and MHC I and II cell populations further suggest simultaneous Th1 and Th2 immune activation. Reduced pathogen load and histopathological inflammatory signs in vital organs upon challenge confirmed the protective efficacy in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivasankar Chandran
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan Campus, 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - Chamith Hewawaduge
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan Campus, 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - Ram Prasad Aganja
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan Campus, 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - John Hwa Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan Campus, 54596, Republic of Korea.
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Klančnik A, Abram M. New Insights into Foodborne Bacteria-Host Interactions: Evolving Research and Discoveries. Microorganisms 2023; 12:78. [PMID: 38257904 PMCID: PMC10818965 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the growing concern about foodborne diseases, intensive research and the development of new approaches are crucial [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Klančnik
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Abram
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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3
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Xiao J, Cheng Y, Zhang W, Lu Q, Guo Y, Hu Q, Wen G, Shao H, Luo Q, Zhang T. Genetic characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility, and virulence genes distribution of Campylobacter isolated from local dual-purpose chickens in central China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1236777. [PMID: 37743858 PMCID: PMC10517862 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1236777] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Food-borne antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter poses a serious threat to public health. To understand the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Campylobacter in Chinese local dual-purpose (meat and eggs) chickens, the genomes of 30 Campylobacter isolates, including 13 C. jejuni and 17 C. coli from Jianghan-chickens in central China, were sequenced and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. The results showed that CC-354 and CC-828 were the dominant clonal complexes of C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, and a phylogenetic analysis showed that three unclassified multilocus sequence types of C. coli were more closely genetically related to C. jejuni than to other C. coli in this study. Of the six antibiotics tested, the highest resistance rates were to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline (100%), followed by lincomycin (63.3%), erythromycin (30.0%), amikacin (26.7%), and cefotaxime (20.0%). The antibiotic resistance rate of C. coli was higher than that of C. jejuni. The GyrA T86I mutation and 15 acquired resistance genes were detected with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Among those, the GyrA T86I mutation and tet(O) were most prevalent (both 96.7%), followed by the blaOXA-type gene (90.0%), ant(6)-Ia (26.7%), aac(6')-aph(3'') (23.3%), erm(B) (13.3%), and other genes (3.3%). The ciprofloxacin and tetracycline resistance phenotypes correlated strongly with the GyrA T86I mutation and tet(O)/tet(L), respectively, but for other antibiotics, the correlation between genes and resistance phenotypes were weak, indicating that there may be resistance mechanisms other than the resistance genes detected in this study. Virulence gene analysis showed that several genes related to adhesion, colonization, and invasion (including cadF, porA, ciaB, and jlpA) and cytolethal distending toxin (cdtABC) were only present in C. jejuni. Overall, this study extends our knowledge of the epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter in local Chinese dual-purpose chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiluo Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Qin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunqing Guo
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Guoyuan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Huabin Shao
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingping Luo
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Ortega-Sanz I, García M, Bocigas C, Megías G, Melero B, Rovira J. Genomic Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni Associated with Perimyocarditis: A Family Case Report. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2023; 20:368-373. [PMID: 37366876 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2023.0010] [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: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter spp. is the leading cause of foodborne gastrointestinal infections in humans worldwide. This study reports the first case of four family members who had contact with the same source of Campylobacter jejuni contamination with different results. Only the little siblings were infected by the same C. jejuni strain, but with different symptoms. Whereas the daughter was slightly affected with mild enteritis, the son suffered a longer campylobacteriosis followed with a perimyocarditis. This is the first case of the youngest patient affected by C. jejuni-related perimyocarditis published to date. The genomes of both strains were characterized by whole-genome sequencing and compared with the C. jejuni NCTC 11168 genome to gain insights into the molecular features that may be associated with perimyocarditis. Various comparison tools were used for the comparative genomics analysis, including the identification of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes, phase variable (PV) genes, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identification. Comparisons of the strains identified 16 SNPs between them, which constituted small but significant changes mainly affecting the ON/OFF state of PV genes after passing through both hosts. These results suggest that PV occurs during human colonization, which modulates bacteria virulence through human host adaptation, which ultimately is related to complications after a campylobacteriosis episode depending on the host status. The findings highlight the importance of the relation between host and pathogen in severe complications of Campylobacter infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ortega-Sanz
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Marcial García
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Carolina Bocigas
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Gregoria Megías
- Microbiology Department of the University Hospital of Burgos (HUBU), Burgos, Spain
| | - Beatriz Melero
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Jordi Rovira
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain
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Katz A, Porte L, Weitzel T, Varela C, Muñoz-Rehbein C, Ugalde JA, Grim C, González-Escalona N, Blondel CJ, Bravo V. Whole-genome sequencing reveals changes in genomic diversity and distinctive repertoires of T3SS and T6SS effector candidates in Chilean clinical Campylobacter strains. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1208825. [PMID: 37520433 PMCID: PMC10374022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1208825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and an emerging and neglected pathogen in South America. This zoonotic pathogen colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of mammals and birds, with poultry as the most important reservoir for human infections. Apart from its high morbidity rates, the emergence of resistant strains is of global concern. The aims of this work were to determine genetic diversity, presence of antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence potential of Campylobacter spp. isolated from patients with acute gastrointestinal disease at 'Clinica Alemana', Santiago de Chile. The study considered the isolation of Campylobacter spp., from stool samples during a 20-month period (January 2020 to September 2021). We sequenced (NextSeq, Illumina) and performed an in-depth analysis of the genome sequences of 88 Campylobacter jejuni and 2 Campylobacter coli strains isolated from clinical samples in Chile. We identified a high genetic diversity among C. jejuni strains and the emergence of prevalent clonal complexes, which were not identified in our previous reports. While ~40% of strains harbored a mutation in the gyrA gene associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, no macrolide-resistance determinants were detected. Interestingly, gene clusters encoding virulence factors such as the T6SS or genes associated with long-term sequelae such as Guillain-Barré syndrome showed lineage-relatedness. In addition, our analysis revealed a high degree of variability regarding the presence of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins in comparison to type strains 81-176, F38011, and NCTC 11168 and 488. Our study provides important insights into the molecular epidemiology of this emerging foodborne pathogen. In addition, the differences observed regarding the repertoire of fT3SS and T6SS effector proteins could have an impact on the pathogenic potential and transmissibility of these Latin American isolates, posing another challenge in characterizing the infection dynamics of this emergent and neglected bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Katz
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Porte
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carmen Varela
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristina Muñoz-Rehbein
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A. Ugalde
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christopher Grim
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Narjol González-Escalona
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Carlos J. Blondel
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Bravo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Aplicadas (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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6
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Laconi A, Tolosi R, Drigo I, Bano L, Piccirillo A. Association between ability to form biofilm and virulence factors of poultry extra-intestinal Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. Vet Microbiol 2023; 282:109770. [PMID: 37150060 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Campylobacter species are known to be able to produce biofilm, which represents an ideal protective environment for the maintenance of such fragile bacteria. Since the genetic mechanisms promoting biofilm formation are still poorly understood, in this study we assessed the ability of C. jejuni (n = 7) and C. coli (n = 3) strains isolated from diseased poultry, and previously characterized by whole genome sequencing, to form biofilm. The in vitro analyses were carried out by using a microtiter based protocol including biofilm culturing and fixation, staining with crystal violet, and measurement of the optical density (OD570). The ability to form biofilm was categorized into four classes (no, weak, moderate, and strong producers). Potential correlations between OD570 and the presence/absence of virulence determinants were examined. The C. jejuni were classified as no (n = 3), weak (n = 2), and moderate (n = 2) biofilm producers; however, all possessed genes involved in chemotaxis, adhesion, and invasion to the host cells. No genes present exclusively in biofilm producers or in non-biofilm producers were identified. All C. coli were classified as weak producers and showed a similar set of virulence genes between each other. A trend of increased mean OD570 was observed in the presence of flaA and maf7 genes. No association between biofilm production classes and the explanatory variables considered was observed. The results of this study suggest that further investigations are needed to better identify and characterize the genetic determinants involved in extra-intestinal Campylobacter biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Laconi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy.
| | - Roberta Tolosi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
| | - Ilenia Drigo
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 31020 Villorba, TV, Italy
| | - Luca Bano
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 31020 Villorba, TV, Italy
| | - Alessandra Piccirillo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD, 35020, Italy
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7
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Ghielmetti G, Seth-Smith HMB, Roloff T, Cernela N, Biggel M, Stephan R, Egli A. Whole-genome-based characterization of Campylobacter jejuni from human patients with gastroenteritis collected over an 18 year period reveals increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen000941. [PMID: 36809179 PMCID: PMC9997746 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacteriosis is the most common cause of acute gastrointestinal bacterial infection in Europe, with most infections linked to the consumption of contaminated food. While previous studies found an increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter spp. over the past decades, the investigation of additional clinical isolates is likely to provide novel insights into the population structure and mechanisms of virulence and drug resistance of this important human pathogen. Therefore, we combined whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial-susceptibility testing of 340 randomly selected Campylobacter jejuni isolates from humans with gastroenteritis, collected in Switzerland over an 18 year period. In our collection, the most common multilocus sequence types (STs) were ST-257 (n=44), ST-21 (n=36) and ST-50 (n=35); the most common clonal complexes (CCs) were CC-21 (n=102), CC-257 (n=49) and CC-48 (n=33). High heterogeneity was observed among STs, with the most abundant STs recurring over the entire study period, while others were observed only sporadically. Source attribution based on ST assigned more than half of the strains to the 'generalist' category (n=188), 25 % as 'poultry specialist' (n=83), and only a few to 'ruminant specialist' (n=11) or 'wild bird' origin (n=9). The isolates displayed an increased frequency of AMR from 2003 to 2020, with the highest rates of resistance observed for ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid (49.8 %), followed by tetracycline (36.9 %). Quinolone-resistant isolates carried chromosomal gyrA mutations T86I (99.4 %) and T86A (0.6 %), whereas tetracycline-resistant isolates carried tet(O) (79.8 %) or mosaic tetO/32/O (20.2 %) genes. A novel chromosomal cassette carrying several resistance genes, including aph(3')-III, satA and aad(6), and flanked by insertion sequence elements was detected in one isolate. Collectively, our data revealed an increasing prevalence of resistance to quinolones and tetracycline in C. jejuni isolates from Swiss patients over time, linked to clonal expansion of gyrA mutants and acquisition of the tet(O) gene. Investigation of source attribution suggests that infections are most likely related to isolates from poultry or generalist backgrounds. These findings are relevant to guide future infection prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ghielmetti
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Section of Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Helena M B Seth-Smith
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tim Roloff
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Cernela
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Biggel
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Egli
- Applied Microbiology Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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El-Adawy H, Hotzel H, García-Soto S, Tomaso H, Hafez HM, Schwarz S, Neubauer H, Linde J. Genomic insight into Campylobacter jejuni isolated from commercial turkey flocks in Germany using whole-genome sequencing analysis. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1092179. [PMID: 36875995 PMCID: PMC9978446 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1092179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter (C.) jejuni is a zoonotic bacterium of public health significance. The present investigation was designed to assess the epidemiology and genetic heterogeneity of C. jejuni recovered from commercial turkey farms in Germany using whole-genome sequencing. The Illumina MiSeq® technology was used to sequence 66 C. jejuni isolates obtained between 2010 and 2011 from commercial meat turkey flocks located in ten German federal states. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance was determined. Phylogeny, resistome, plasmidome and virulome profiles were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing data. Genetic resistance markers were identified with bioinformatics tools (AMRFinder, ResFinder, NCBI and ABRicate) and compared with the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance. The isolates were assigned to 28 different sequence types and 11 clonal complexes. The average pairwise single nucleotide-polymorphisms distance of 14,585 SNPs (range: 0-26,540 SNPs) revealed a high genetic distinction between the isolates. Thirteen virulence-associated genes were identified in C. jejuni isolates. Most of the isolates harbored the genes flaA (83.3%) and flaB (78.8%). The wlaN gene associated with the Guillain-Barré syndrome was detected in nine (13.6%) isolates. The genes for resistance to ampicillin (bla OXA), tetracycline [tet(O)], neomycin [aph(3')-IIIa], streptomycin (aadE) and streptothricin (sat4) were detected in isolated C. jejuni using WGS. A gene cluster comprising the genes sat4, aph(3')-IIIa and aadE was present in six isolates. The single point mutation T86I in the housekeeping gene gyrA conferring resistance to quinolones was retrieved in 93.6% of phenotypically fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates. Five phenotypically erythromycin-susceptible isolates carried the mutation A103V in the gene for the ribosomal protein L22 inferring macrolide resistance. An assortment of 13 β-lactam resistance genes (bla OXA variants) was detected in 58 C. jejuni isolates. Out of 66 sequenced isolates, 28 (42.4%) carried plasmid-borne contigs. Six isolates harbored a pTet-like plasmid-borne contig which carries the tet(O) gene. This study emphasized the potential of whole-genome sequencing to ameliorate the routine surveillance of C. jejuni. Whole-genome sequencing can predict antimicrobial resistance with a high degree of accuracy. However, resistance gene databases need curation and updates to revoke inaccuracy when using WGS-based analysis pipelines for AMR detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosny El-Adawy
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Helmut Hotzel
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Silvia García-Soto
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Herbert Tomaso
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Hafez M Hafez
- Institute of Poultry Diseases, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Schwarz
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Veterinary Centre of Resistance Research (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Jörg Linde
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
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9
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Andrzejewska M, Grudlewska-Buda K, Śpica D, Skowron K, Ćwiklińska-Jurkowska M, Szady-Grad M, Indykiewicz P, Wiktorczyk-Kapischke N, Klawe JJ. Genetic relatedness, virulence, and drug susceptibility of Campylobacter isolated from water and wild birds. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1005085. [PMID: 36506026 PMCID: PMC9732551 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1005085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aimed to identify the characteristics of Campylobacter isolated from wild birds (Black-headed gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus and Great tits Parus major) and collect surface water samples (from rivers, ponds, ornamental lakes, freshwater beaches). Research material included 33 Campylobacter isolates. All the strains were isolated by different monitoring and surveillance plans. Methods The prevalence of selected genes (flaA, cadF, iam, cdtB, wlaN, sodB, tet0) encoding virulence factors and resistance among Campylobacter spp. was assessed by the PCR method. The genetic similarities of isolates were determined by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). The susceptibility of Campylobacter isolates to clinically important antimicrobials: erythromycin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin, previously assessed by E-test, was presented in the form of drug susceptibility profiles depending on the origin of the isolates. Results The cadF, flaA, cdtB, and sodB genes exhibited the highest detection rate. Statistically significant differences between the presence of wlaN virulence genes were noted among different species of the isolates. No genetically identical isolates were found. The most numerous antibiotic susceptibility profile included strains susceptible to all antibiotics studied (profile A-33.3%). The second most common were the tetracycline - and ciprofloxacin-resistant (profile B-27.2%), and tetracycline-resistant profile (C-24.2%) respectively. Discussion The study revealed the virulent properties of Campylobacter isolated from water samples, and wild birds, and high resistance rates to tetracycline, and fluoroquinolones. The lack of genetic relatedness among strains isolated from water, and birds may indicate other sources of surface water contamination with Campylobacter bacteria than birds. The presence of Campylobacter spp. in wild birds could also have other environmental origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Andrzejewska
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland,*Correspondence: Małgorzata Andrzejewska,
| | - Katarzyna Grudlewska-Buda
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dorota Śpica
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Skowron
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Ćwiklińska-Jurkowska
- Department of Biostatistics and Theory of Biomedical Systems, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Szady-Grad
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Piotr Indykiewicz
- Department of Biology and Animal Environment, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Natalia Wiktorczyk-Kapischke
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jacek J. Klawe
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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10
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Virulence Profiling, Multidrug Resistance and Molecular Mechanisms of Campylobacter Strains from Chicken Carcasses in Tunisia. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11070830. [PMID: 35884085 PMCID: PMC9312241 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11070830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens is an emergent global health concern. The objectives of this study were to assess antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter isolates from chicken carcasses and to investigate the AMR molecular mechanisms as well as the presence of virulence determinants. The study was performed on 257 samples collected from abattoirs and retail shops in northeastern Tunisia. Forty-eight Campylobacter isolates were recovered and identified as C. jejuni (n = 33) and C. coli (n = 15). Antibiotic resistance was tested against eight antibiotics and high resistance rates were observed against tetracycline (100%), erythromycin (97.9%), ciprofloxacin (73%), nalidixic acid (85.4%), ampicillin (83.3%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (22.9%), chloramphenicol (75%), and gentamicin (27.1%). All isolates were multidrug-resistant, and 22 resistance patterns were found. All isolates were screened for AMR genes (tet(O), tet(A), tet(B), tet(L), cmeB, ermB, blaOXA-61, and aphA-3), and for point mutations in gyrA (C257T substitution) and 23SrRNA (A2075G/A2074C) genes. All screened AMR genes, as well as the C257T and the A2075G mutations, were detected. The virulence genotypes were also determined, and all isolates carried the motility (flaA) and invasion (cadF) genes. Most of them also harbored the cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC genes, encoding the Campylobacter toxin. The screening of the cgtB and the wlaN genes, involved in Guillain-Barré Syndrome expression, revealed the presence of the cgtB in 21.2% of C. jejuni strains, whereas none of them carried the wlaN gene. Our findings highlight the emergence of Campylobacter strains simultaneously harboring several virulence and AMR determinants, which emphasizes the risk of transmission of MDR strains to humans via the food chain. Hence, controlling the dissemination of foodborne pathogens “from the farm to the fork” as well as restricting the use of antimicrobials in husbandry are mandatory to prevent the risk for consumers and to mitigate the dissemination of MDR pathogens.
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11
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A New Variant of the aadE-sat4-aphA-3 Gene Cluster Found in a Conjugative Plasmid from a MDR Campylobacter jejuni Isolate. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11040466. [PMID: 35453217 PMCID: PMC9032879 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11040466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a foodborne pathogen causing bacterial gastroenteritis, with the highest incidence reported in Europe. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in C. jejuni, as well as in many other bacterial pathogens, has increased over the last few years. In this report, we describe the presence of a plasmid in a multi-drug-resistant C. jejuni strain isolated from a gastroenteritis patient. Mating experiments demonstrated the transference of this genetic element (pCjH01) among C. jejuni by plasmid conjugation. The pCjH01 plasmid was sequenced and assembled, revealing high similarity (97% identity) with pTet, a described tetracycline resistance encoding plasmid. pCjH01 (47.7 kb) is a mosaic plasmid composed of a pTet backbone that has acquired two discrete DNA regions. Remarkably, one of the acquired sequences carried an undescribed variant of the aadE-sat4-aphA-3 gene cluster, providing resistance to at least kanamycin and gentamycin. Aside from the antibiotic resistance genes, the cluster also carries genes coding for putative regulators, such as a sigma factor of the RNA polymerase and an antisigma factor. Homology searches suggest that Campylobacter exchanges genetic material with distant G-positive bacterial genera.
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12
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Draft Genome Sequences of Four Strains of Campylobacter jejuni Isolated from Patients with Axonal Variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Bangladesh. Microbiol Resour Announc 2022; 11:e0114621. [PMID: 35142550 PMCID: PMC8830325 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01146-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Four Campylobacter jejuni strains (Z191005RS, Z191005SS, Z201020RS, and Z201020SS) isolated from the axonal variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were sequenced using Illumina technology. The average genome size was from 1.61 to 1.63 gb, with a very high coverage ranging from 654× to 758×, which facilitates the possibility of rare variant calling.
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13
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Wysok B, Sołtysiuk M, Stenzel T. Wildlife Waterfowl as a Source of Pathogenic Campylobacter Strains. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020113. [PMID: 35215056 PMCID: PMC8879909 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to determine whether free-living birds belonging to game species whose meat is used for human consumption can constitute a reservoir of pathogenic Campylobacter strains, spreading these bacteria to other hosts or directly contributing to human infection. Methods: A total of 91 cloacal swabs were taken from different species of wildlife waterfowl to estimate the Campylobacter prevalence, the genetic diversity of the isolates, and the presence of virulence genes and to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance. Results: The presence of Campylobacter spp. was confirmed in 32.9% of samples. Based on flaA-SVR sequencing, a total of 19 different alleles among the tested Campylobacter isolates were revealed. The virulence genes involved in adhesion were detected at high frequencies among Campylobacter isolates regardless of the host species. The highest resistance was observed for ciprofloxacin. The resistance rates to erythromycin and tetracycline were observed at the same level. Conclusions: These results suggest that wildlife waterfowl belonging to game species may constitute a reservoir of Campylobacter, spreading these bacteria to other hosts or directly contributing to human disease. The high distribution of virulence-associated genes among wildlife waterfowl Campylobacter isolates make them potentially able to induce infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Wysok
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (B.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Marta Sołtysiuk
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (B.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Tomasz Stenzel
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-89-523-38-11
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14
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Zang X, Lv H, Tang H, Jiao X, Huang J. Capsular Genotype and Lipooligosaccharide Class Associated Genomic Characterizations of Campylobacter jejuni Isolates From Food Animals in China. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:775090. [PMID: 34950120 PMCID: PMC8690235 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.775090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is the leading causative agent of gastroenteritis and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) contribute to the susceptibility of campylobacteriosis, which have been concern the major evaluation indicators of C. jejuni isolates from clinical patients. As a foodborne disease, food animal plays a primary role in the infection of campylobacteriosis. To assess the pathogenic characterizations of C. jejuni isolates from various ecological origins, 1609 isolates sampled from 2005 to 2019 in China were analyzed using capsular genotyping. Strains from cattle and poultry were further characterized by LOS classification and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), compared with the isolates from human patients worldwide with enteritis and GBS. Results showed that the disease associated capsular genotypes and LOS classes over-represented in human isolates were also dominant in animal isolates, especially cattle isolates. Based on the same disease associated capsular genotype, more LOS class types were represented by food animal isolates than human disease isolates. Importantly, high-risk lineages CC-22, CC-464, and CC-21 were found dominated in human isolates with GBS worldwide, which were also represented in the food animal isolates with disease associated capsular types, suggesting a possibility of clonal spread of isolates across different regions and hosts. This is the first study providing genetic evidence for food animal isolates of particular capsular genotypes harbor similar pathogenic characteristics to human clinical isolates. Collective efforts for campylobacteriosis hazard control need to be focused on the zoonotic pathogenicity of animal isolates, along the food chain “from farm to table.”
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Zang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hongyue Lv
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinan Jiao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, China
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15
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Zang X, Huang P, Li J, Jiao X, Huang J. Genomic Relatedness, Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Traits of Campylobacter jejuni HS19 Isolates From Cattle in China Indicate Pathogenic Potential. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:783750. [PMID: 34956150 PMCID: PMC8698899 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.783750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although campylobacteriosis is a zoonotic foodborne illness, high-risk isolates from animal sources are rarely characterized, and the pathogenic potential of zoonotic strains remains an obstacle to effective intervention against human infection. HS19 has been acknowledged as a maker serotype represented by Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) isolates from patients with post-infection Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which is circulation in developed countries. However, a previous serotype epidemiological study of C. jejuni isolates in an animal population revealed that HS19 was also prevalent in isolates from cattle in China. In this study, to investigate the hazardous potential of zoonotic strains, 14 HS19 isolates from cattle were systematically characterized both by genotype and phenotype. The results showed that all of these cattle isolates belonged to the ST-22 complex, a high-risk lineage represented by 77.2% HS19 clinical isolates from patients worldwide in the PubMLST database, indicating that the ST-22 complex is the prominent clonal complex of HS19 isolates, as well as the possibility of clonal spread of HS19 isolates across different regions and hosts. Nevertheless, these cattle strains clustered closely with the HS19 isolates from patients, suggesting a remarkable phylogenetic relatedness and genomic similarity. Importantly, both tetracycline genes tet(O) and gyrA (T86I) reached a higher proportional representation among the cattle isolates than among the human clinical isolates. A worrying level of multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in all the cattle isolates, and two MDR profiles of the cattle isolates also existed in human clinical isolates. Notably, although shared with the same serotype HS19 and sequence type ST-22, 35.7% of cattle isolates induced severe gastrointestinal pathology in the IL-10–/– C57BL/6 mice model, indicating that some bacteria could change due to host adaptation to induce a disease epidemic, thus the associated genetic elements deserve further investigation. In this study, HS19 isolates from cattle were first characterized by a systematic evaluation of bacterial genomics and in vitro virulence, which improved our understanding of the potential zoonotic hazard from food animal isolates with high-risk serotypes, and provided critical information for the development of targeted C. jejuni mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Zang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Pingyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jie Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinan Jiao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Biological Hazard Factors (Animal Origin) for Agrifood Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jinlin Huang,
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16
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Panzenhagen P, Portes AB, dos Santos AMP, Duque SDS, Conte Junior CA. The Distribution of Campylobacter jejuni Virulence Genes in Genomes Worldwide Derived from the NCBI Pathogen Detection Database. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1538. [PMID: 34680933 PMCID: PMC8535712 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is responsible for 80% of human campylobacteriosis and is the leading cause of gastroenteritis globally. The relevant public health risks of C. jejuni are caused by particular virulence genes encompassing its virulome. We analyzed 40,371 publicly available genomes of C. jejuni deposited in the NCBI Pathogen Detection Database, combining their epidemiologic metadata with an in silico bioinformatics analysis to increase our current comprehension of their virulome from a global perspective. The collection presented a virulome composed of 126 identified virulence factors that were grouped in three clusters representing the accessory, the softcore, and the essential core genes according to their prevalence within the genomes. The multilocus sequence type distribution in the genomes was also investigated. An unexpected low prevalence of the full-length flagellin flaA and flaB locus of C. jejuni genomes was revealed, and an essential core virulence gene repertoire prevalent in more than 99.99% of genomes was identified. Altogether, this is a pioneer study regarding Campylobacter jejuni that has compiled a significant amount of data about the Multilocus Sequence Type and virulence factors concerning their global prevalence and distribution over this database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Panzenhagen
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, RJ, Brazil; (A.B.P.); (A.M.P.d.S.); (C.A.C.J.)
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Portes
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, RJ, Brazil; (A.B.P.); (A.M.P.d.S.); (C.A.C.J.)
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | - Anamaria M. P. dos Santos
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, RJ, Brazil; (A.B.P.); (A.M.P.d.S.); (C.A.C.J.)
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sheila da Silva Duque
- Collection of Campylobacter, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Carlos Adam Conte Junior
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, RJ, Brazil; (A.B.P.); (A.M.P.d.S.); (C.A.C.J.)
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Food Science (PPGCAL), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Hygiene (PPGHV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Vital Brazil Filho, Niterói 24230-340, RJ, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Sanitary Surveillance (PPGVS), National Institute of Health Quality Control (INCQS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry (PGQu), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, RJ, Brazil
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17
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Yamamoto S, Iyoda S, Ohnishi M. Stabilizing Genetically Unstable Simple Sequence Repeats in the Campylobacter jejuni Genome by Multiplex Genome Editing: a Reliable Approach for Delineating Multiple Phase-Variable Genes. mBio 2021; 12:e0140121. [PMID: 34425708 PMCID: PMC8437040 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01401-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypermutable simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are major drivers of phase variation in Campylobacter jejuni. The presence of multiple SSR-mediated phase-variable genes encoding enzymes that modify surface structures, including capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and lipooligosaccharide (LOS), generates extreme cell surface diversity within bacterial populations, thereby promoting adaptation to selective pressures in host environments. Therefore, genetically controlling SSR-mediated phase variation can be important for achieving stable and reproducible research on C. jejuni. Here, we show that natural "cotransformation" is an effective method for C. jejuni genome editing. Cotransformation is a trait of naturally competent bacteria that causes uptake/integration of multiple different DNA molecules, which has been recently adapted to multiplex genome editing by natural transformation (MuGENT), a method for introducing multiple mutations into the genomes of these bacteria. We found that cotransformation efficiently occurred in C. jejuni. To examine the feasibility of MuGENT in C. jejuni, we "locked" different polyG SSR tracts in strain NCTC11168 (which are located in the biosynthetic CPS/LOS gene clusters) into either the ON or OFF configurations. This approach, termed "MuGENT-SSR," enabled the generation of all eight edits within 2 weeks and the identification of a phase-locked strain with a highly stable type of Penner serotyping, a CPS-based serotyping scheme. Furthermore, extensive genome editing of this strain by MuGENT-SSR identified a phase-variable gene that determines the Penner serotype of NCTC11168. Thus, MuGENT-SSR provides a platform for genetic and phenotypic engineering of genetically unstable C. jejuni, making it a reliable approach for elucidating the mechanisms underlying phase-variable expression of specific phenotypes. IMPORTANCE Campylobacter jejuni is the leading bacterial cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in developed countries and occasionally progresses to the autoimmune disease Guillain-Barré syndrome. A relatively large number of hypermutable simple sequence repeat (SSR) tracts in the C. jejuni genome markedly decreases its phenotypic stability through reversible changes in the ON or OFF expression states of the genes in which they reside, a phenomenon called phase variation. Thus, controlling SSR-mediated phase variation can be important for achieving stable and reproducible research on C. jejuni. In this study, we developed a feasible and effective approach for genetically manipulate multiple SSR tracts in the C. jejuni genome using natural cotransformation, a trait of naturally transformable bacterial species that causes the uptake and integration of multiple different DNA molecules. This approach will greatly help to improve the genetic and phenotypic stability of C. jejuni to enable diverse applications in research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouji Yamamoto
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sunao Iyoda
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Ohnishi
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Cayrou C, Barratt NA, Ketley JM, Bayliss CD. Phase Variation During Host Colonization and Invasion by Campylobacter jejuni and Other Campylobacter Species. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:705139. [PMID: 34394054 PMCID: PMC8355987 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.705139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phase variation (PV) is a phenomenon common to a variety of bacterial species for niche adaption and survival in challenging environments. Among Campylobacter species, PV depends on the presence of intergenic and intragenic hypermutable G/C homopolymeric tracts. The presence of phase-variable genes is of especial interest for species that cause foodborne or zoonotic infections in humans. PV influences the formation and the structure of the lipooligosaccharide, flagella, and capsule in Campylobacter species. PV of components of these molecules is potentially important during invasion of host tissues, spread within hosts and transmission between hosts. Motility is a critical phenotype that is potentially modulated by PV. Variation in the status of the phase-variable genes has been observed to occur during colonization in chickens and mouse infection models. Interestingly, PV is also involved in bacterial survival of attack by bacteriophages even during chicken colonization. This review aims to explore and discuss observations of PV during model and natural infections by Campylobacter species and how PV may affect strategies for fighting infections by this foodborne pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Cayrou
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie A Barratt
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Julian M Ketley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher D Bayliss
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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19
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Laconi A, Drigo I, Palmieri N, Carraro L, Tonon E, Franch R, Bano L, Piccirillo A. Genomic analysis of extra-intestinal Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from commercial chickens. Vet Microbiol 2021; 259:109161. [PMID: 34214907 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli have commonly been considered harmless commensal inhabitants of the chicken gut; however, these Campylobacter spp. are known to be able to multiply in the gut and invade other tissues, negatively affecting host health and performance. In this study, fourteen Campylobacter spp. were isolated from chickens showing foci of necrosis on the liver surface resembling lesions observed in cases of avian vibrionic hepatitis/spotty liver disease. The whole genome sequences of the fourteen isolates were analysed and their virulomes compared to those of Campylobacter reference sequences, aiming to investigate the possible association between virulence genes and the observed pathological lesions. Nine C. jejuni and five C. coli were studied. These Campylobacter shared twelve virulence factors with other isolates originated from chicken livers and hosted a higher number of virulence-associated genes in comparison to the reference genomes, including genes encoding for factors involved in adherence to and invasion of the intestinal epithelial cells. Our findings seem to point out that these twelve common virulence-associated genes, together with the presence of a high number of virulence factors involved in adherence, invasion and motility, might be responsible for the extra-intestinal spread of our isolates and the colonization of parenchymatous tissues, possibly causing the pathological lesions observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Laconi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro (PD), 35020, Italy
| | - Ilenia Drigo
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 31020 Villorba (TV), Italy
| | - Nicola Palmieri
- University Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Austria
| | - Lisa Carraro
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro (PD), 35020, Italy
| | - Elena Tonon
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 31020 Villorba (TV), Italy
| | - Raffaela Franch
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro (PD), 35020, Italy
| | - Luca Bano
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 31020 Villorba (TV), Italy
| | - Alessandra Piccirillo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro (PD), 35020, Italy.
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20
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Foodborne Pathogen Campylobacter. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061241. [PMID: 34200984 PMCID: PMC8227710 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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21
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Draft Genome Sequences of Three Strains of Campylobacter jejuni Isolated from Patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Bangladesh. Microbiol Resour Announc 2021; 10:10/17/e00005-21. [PMID: 33927026 PMCID: PMC8086200 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00005-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is the pathogen most commonly associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The present work describes the draft genome sequences of 3 C. jejuni strains, BD39, BD67, and BD75, isolated from stool specimens of C. jejuni-triggered patients with GBS using Illumina technologies. Campylobacter jejuni is the pathogen most commonly associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The present work describes the draft genome sequences of 3 C. jejuni strains, BD39, BD67, and BD75, isolated from stool specimens of patients with C. jejuni-triggered GBS using Illumina technologies.
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Wysok B, Wojtacka J, Wiszniewska-Łaszczych A, Szteyn J. Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Properties of Campylobacter Spp. Originating from Domestic Geese in Poland. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E742. [PMID: 32344537 PMCID: PMC7222810 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A total of 240 samples were evaluated for the presence of Campylobacter spp. Campylobacter was found in 83.3% of the cecum contents samples and 52.5% of the neck skin samples from carcasses. The prevailing species was C. jejuni, accounting for 87.7% of all Campylobacter isolates, and the remaining 12.3% of isolates were C. coli. All Campylobacter isolates, independent of the sample origin and species, were positive for 6 out of 15 tested genes (flaA, flhA, cadF, racR, ciaB, and cdtA genes). The prevalence of dnaJ, docA, pldA, cdtB, cdtC, and iam genes was also very common (ranging from 86.5% to 98.8%). The lowest prevalence was noted for virB11 and wlaN genes, both in Campylobacter isolates from cecum (12% and 19%) and carcasses (11.1% and 17.5%). None of the isolates tested, regardless of the sample origin, carried the cgtB gene. The highest resistance rates were observed for quinolones (90.8%) and tetracyclines (79.8%). Simultaneously, only single Campylobacter isolate was resistant to macrolides (0.6%) and none of the isolates showed resistance to aminoglycosides and amphenicols. The common presence of Campylobacter on geese carcasses as well as the detection of multidrug-resistant isolates indicate that consuming goose meat might cause a potential risk, therefore leading to human campylobacteriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Wysok
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 14, 10-917 Olsztyn, Poland; (J.W.); (A.W.-Ł.); (J.S.)
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