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Abdulabbas HT, Mohammad Ali AN, Farjadfar A, Arabfard M, Najafipour S, Kouhpayeh A, Ghasemian A, Behmard E. Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Chlamydia trachomatis using structural and nonstructural proteins: an immunoinformatics study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:4356-4369. [PMID: 37288800 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2220812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an obligate intracellular bacterium which causes eye and sexually transmitted infections. During pregnancy, the bacterium is associated with preterm complications, low weight of neonates, fetal demise and endometritis leading to infertility. The aim of our study was design of a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) candidate against C. trachomatis. After protein sequence adoption from the NCBI, potential epitopes toxicity, antigenicity, allergenicity, MHC-I and MHC-II binding, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), Helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)- induction were predicted. The adopted epitopes were fused together using appropriate linkers. In the next step, the MEV structural mapping and characterization, three-dimensional (3D) structure homology modeling and refinement were also performed. The MEV candidate interaction with the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was also docked. The immune responses simulation was assessed using the C-IMMSIM server. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation verified the structural stability of the TLR4-MEV complex. The Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) approach demonstrated the MEV high affinity of binding to the TLR4, MHC-I and MHC-II. The MEV construct was also stable and water soluble and had enough antigenicity and lacked allergenicity with stimulation of T cells and B cells and INF-γ release. The immune simulation confirmed acceptable responses of both the humoral and cellular arms. It is proposed that in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the findings of this study.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein T Abdulabbas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical College, Al Muthanna University, Al Muthanna, Iraq
| | | | - Akbar Farjadfar
- Department of medical Biotechnology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Masoud Arabfard
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sohrab Najafipour
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Amin Kouhpayeh
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Behmard
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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Zhou Q, Li J, Luo L, Min S, Wang L, Peng L, Hou Y, He P, He S, Tang S, Chen H. Characterization of genital chlamydia trachomatis infection among women attending infertility and gynecology clinics in Hunan, China. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:405. [PMID: 38622501 PMCID: PMC11020174 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09254-8] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a major public health issue worldwide. It can lead to cervicitis, urethritis, and infertility. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of genital C. trachomatis infection among women attending to the infertility and gynecology clinics. METHODS Endocervical swabs were collected from 8,221 women for C. trachomatis nucleotide screening and genotyping, while serum samples were collected for C. trachomatis pgp3 antibody determination using luciferase immunosorbent assays. RESULTS High C. trachomatis DNA prevalence (3.76%) and seroprevalence (47.46%) rates were found, with genotype E (27.5%) being the most prevalent. C. trachomatis omp1 sense mutation was associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (odds ratio [OR] = 6.033, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.219-39.185, p = 0.045). No significant differences in C. trachomatis seroprevalence rates were observed between women with detectable C. trachomatis DNA in the infertility and routine physical examination groups (86.67% vs. 95%, p > 0.05); however, among women with negative C. trachomatis DNA, the former group had a markedly higher seroprevalence than the latter group (56.74% vs. 20.17%, p < 0.001). C. trachomatis DNA, but not pgp3 antibody, was significantly associated with CIN (OR = 4.087, 95% CI = 2.284-7.315, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our results revealed a high prevalence, particularly seroprevalence, of C. trachomatis among women with infertility. Furthermore, we found an association between C. trachomatis omp1 sense mutations and CIN. Therefore, C. trachomatis serves as a risk factor for CIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianting Zhou
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Jiayan Li
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Lipei Luo
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
- Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuling Min
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Lixiu Peng
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Yinglan Hou
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Ping He
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China
| | - Song He
- Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shixing Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongliang Chen
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Chenzhou Hospital, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, University of South China, Chenzhou, China.
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Ghasemian E, Faal N, Pickering H, Sillah A, Breuer J, Bailey RL, Mabey D, Holland MJ. Genomic insights into local-scale evolution of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis strains within and between individuals in Gambian trachoma-endemic villages. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001210. [PMID: 38445851 PMCID: PMC10999739 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001210] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) serovars A-C, is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for over 86 % of global trachoma cases. We investigated Ct serovar A (SvA) and B (SvB) whole genome sequences prior to the induction of mass antibiotic drug administration in The Gambia. Here, we explore the factors contributing to Ct strain diversification and the implications for Ct evolution within the context of ocular infection. A cohort study in 2002-2003 collected ocular swabs across nine Gambian villages during a 6 month follow-up study. To explore the genetic diversity of Ct within and between individuals, we conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on a limited number (n=43) of Ct-positive samples with an omcB load ≥10 from four villages. WGS was performed using target enrichment with SureSelect and Illumina paired-end sequencing. Out of 43 WGS samples, 41 provided sufficient quality for further analysis. ompA analysis revealed that 11 samples had highest identity to ompA from strain A/HAR13 (NC_007429) and 30 had highest identity to ompA from strain B/Jali20 (NC_012686). While SvB genome sequences formed two distinct village-driven subclades, the heterogeneity of SvA sequences led to the formation of many individual branches within the Gambian SvA subclade. Comparing the Gambian SvA and SvB sequences with their reference strains, Ct A/HAR13 and Ct B/Jali20, indicated an single nucleotide polymorphism accumulation rate of 2.4×10-5 per site per year for the Gambian SvA and 1.3×10-5 per site per year for SvB variants (P<0.0001). Variant calling resulted in a total of 1371 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with a frequency >25 % in SvA sequences, and 438 SNVs in SvB sequences. Of note, in SvA variants, highest evolutionary pressure was recorded on genes responsible for host cell modulation and intracellular survival mechanisms, whereas in SvB variants this pressure was mainly on genes essential for DNA replication/repair mechanisms and protein synthesis. A comparison of the sequences between observed separate infection events (4-20 weeks between infections) suggested that the majority of the variations accumulated in genes responsible for host-pathogen interaction such as CTA_0166 (phospholipase D-like protein), CTA_0498 (TarP) and CTA_0948 (deubiquitinase). This comparison of Ct SvA and SvB variants within a trachoma endemic population focused on their local evolutionary adaptation. We found a different variation accumulation pattern in the Gambian SvA chromosomal genes compared with SvB, hinting at the potential of Ct serovar-specific variation in diversification and evolutionary fitness. These findings may have implications for optimizing trachoma control and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ghasemian
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nkoyo Faal
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Harry Pickering
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ansumana Sillah
- National Eye Health Programme, Ministry of Health, Kanifing, Gambia
| | - Judith Breuer
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robin L. Bailey
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - David Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Martin J. Holland
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Hurtado R, Barh D, de Jesus LCL, Canário Viana MV, Tiwari S, Aburjaile FF, Carhuaricra Huaman DE, Brenig B, Hernández LM, Azevedo V. The genomic approach of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from guinea pigs in Lima, Peru. Res Microbiol 2023; 174:104086. [PMID: 37307910 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104086] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Salmonella Typhimurium is an important agent of foodborne diseases. In Peru, the emergence of multidrug-resistant isolates of S. Typhimurium from the food chain could be linked to guinea pig farming as a potential reservoir and their uncontrolled antibiotic treatment against salmonellosis. In this study, we performed the sequencing, genomic diversity, and characterization of resistance elements transmitted by isolates from farm and meat guinea pigs. The genomic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of S. Typhimurium isolates were performed using nucleotide similarity, cgMLST, serotyping, phylogenomic analyses, and characterization of resistance plasmids. We found at least four populations of isolates from farm guinea pigs and four populations from meat guinea pigs without finding isolated transmission between both resources. Genotypic resistance to antibiotics was observed in at least 50% of the isolates. Among the farm guinea pig isolates, ten were found to be resistant to nalidixic acid, and two isolates exhibited multidrug resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracycline-fluoroquinolone (carrying strA-strB-tetA-tetB genes and gyrA S83F mutation), or trimethoprim-sulfonamide (carrying AaadA1-drfA15-sul1 genes). Additionally, two isolates from the meat source were resistant to fluoroquinolones (one of which had enrofloxacin resistance). The transmissible resistance plasmids with insertion sequences (IS) such as IncI-gamma-K1-ISE3-IS6, IncI1-I (alpha)-IS21-Tn10, and Col (pHAD28) were commonly found in isolates belonging to the HC100-9757 cluster from both guinea pigs and human hosts. Altogether, our work provides resistance determinants profiles and Salmonella sp. circulating lineages using WGS data that can promote better sanitary control and adequate antimicrobial prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Hurtado
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil; Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, 721172, India.
| | - Luís Cláudio Lima de Jesus
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Marcus Vinicius Canário Viana
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Pós-graduação em Microbiologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahía, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahía, Brazil.
| | - Flávia Figueira Aburjaile
- Preventive Veterinary Medicine Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Dennis E Carhuaricra Huaman
- SANIGEN, Laboratorio de Biología y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, San Borja, Lima, 15021, Peru.
| | - Bertram Brenig
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Göttingen, Burckhardtweg 2, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Lenin Maturrano Hernández
- SANIGEN, Laboratorio de Biología y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, San Borja, Lima, 15021, Peru.
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil.
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5
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Sachse K, Hölzer M, Vorimore F, Barf LM, Sachse C, Laroucau K, Marz M, Lamkiewicz K. Genomic analysis of 61 Chlamydia psittaci strains reveals extensive divergence associated with host preference. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:288. [PMID: 37248517 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09370-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia (C.) psittaci, the causative agent of avian chlamydiosis and human psittacosis, is a genetically heterogeneous species. Its broad host range includes parrots and many other birds, but occasionally also humans (via zoonotic transmission), ruminants, horses, swine and rodents. To assess whether there are genetic markers associated with host tropism we comparatively analyzed whole-genome sequences of 61 C. psittaci strains, 47 of which carrying a 7.6-kbp plasmid. RESULTS Following clean-up, reassembly and polishing of poorly assembled genomes from public databases, phylogenetic analyses using C. psittaci whole-genome sequence alignment revealed four major clades within this species. Clade 1 represents the most recent lineage comprising 40/61 strains and contains 9/10 of the psittacine strains, including type strain 6BC, and 10/13 of human isolates. Strains from different non-psittacine hosts clustered in Clades 2- 4. We found that clade membership correlates with typing schemes based on SNP types, ompA genotypes, multilocus sequence types as well as plasticity zone (PZ) structure and host preference. Genome analysis also revealed that i) sequence variation in the major outer membrane porin MOMP can result in 3D structural changes of immunogenic domains, ii) past host change of Clade 3 and 4 strains could be associated with loss of MAC/perforin in the PZ, rather than the large cytotoxin, iii) the distinct phylogeny of atypical strains (Clades 3 and 4) is also reflected in their repertoire of inclusion proteins (Inc family) and polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps). CONCLUSIONS Our study identified a number of genomic features that can be correlated with the phylogeny and host preference of C. psittaci strains. Our data show that intra-species genomic divergence is associated with past host change and includes deletions in the plasticity zone, structural variations in immunogenic domains and distinct repertoires of virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Sachse
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Martin Hölzer
- Methodology and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics, Robert Koch Institute, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabien Vorimore
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Identypath, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris-Est University, 94706, Paris, France
| | - Lisa-Marie Barf
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Carsten Sachse
- Ernst-Ruska Centre 3 / Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Institute for Biological Information Processing 6 / Structural Cellular Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karine Laroucau
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris-Est University, 94706, Paris, France
| | - Manja Marz
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Kevin Lamkiewicz
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
- JRG Analytical MicroBioinformatics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
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Luu LDW, Kasimov V, Phillips S, Myers GSA, Jelocnik M. Genome organization and genomics in Chlamydia: whole genome sequencing increases understanding of chlamydial virulence, evolution, and phylogeny. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1178736. [PMID: 37287464 PMCID: PMC10242142 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1178736] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Chlamydia contains important obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens to humans and animals, including C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae. Since 1998, when the first Chlamydia genome was published, our understanding of how these microbes interact, evolved and adapted to different intracellular host environments has been transformed due to the expansion of chlamydial genomes. This review explores the current state of knowledge in Chlamydia genomics and how whole genome sequencing has revolutionised our understanding of Chlamydia virulence, evolution, and phylogeny over the past two and a half decades. This review will also highlight developments in multi-omics and other approaches that have complemented whole genome sequencing to advance knowledge of Chlamydia pathogenesis and future directions for chlamydial genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Don Wai Luu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vasilli Kasimov
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Samuel Phillips
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Garry S. A. Myers
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
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7
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Cheong HC, Cheok YY, Chan YT, Tang TF, Sulaiman S, Looi CY, Gupta R, Arulanandam B, Chang LY, Wong WF. Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid-encoding Pgp3 protein induces secretion of distinct inflammatory signatures from HeLa cervical epithelial cells. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:58. [PMID: 36870960 PMCID: PMC9985209 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02802-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexual transmitted disease that causes severe complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in females. The Pgp3 protein encoded by C. trachomatis plasmid has been speculated to be an important player in chlamydial pathogenesis. However, the precise function of this protein is unknown and thus remains to be thoroughly investigated. METHODS In this study, we synthesized Pgp3 protein for in vitro stimulation in the Hela cervical carcinoma cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We showed that Pgp3 induced prominent expression of host inflammatory cytokine genes including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1), implying a possible role of Pgp3 in modulating the inflammatory reaction in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Choon Cheong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yi Ying Cheok
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee Teng Chan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ting Fang Tang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sofiah Sulaiman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rishein Gupta
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Bernard Arulanandam
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Li-Yen Chang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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8
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Shui J, Xie D, Zhao J, Ao C, Lin H, Liang Y, Wang H, Dai Y, Tang S. Seroepidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in the General Population of Northern China: The Jidong Community Cohort Study. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:729016. [PMID: 34650533 PMCID: PMC8507574 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.729016] [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: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A longitudinal serological study to investigate the seropositive frequency, incidence, and antibody dynamics of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the general population of China is urgently needed in order to optimize the strategies for surveillance and precise prevention of C. trachomatis infection. This longitudinal study enrolled 744 subjects aged 18-65 years from Jidong Community of Northern China from 2014 to 2018. Seropositive frequency, incidence, and reinfection of C. trachomatis were determined by detecting antibody against C. trachomatis Pgp3 using "in-house" luciferase immunosorbent assay (LISA). The dynamic of anti-Pgp3 antibody was analyzed using the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model. The overall Pgp3 seropositive frequency among the 18-65-year-old population was 28.1% (95% CI 24.9-31.5), and significantly increased from 12.0% in those aged 18-29 years to 48.6% in the 60-65 years old. The seropositive frequency was slightly higher in women than in men (31.3% vs. 25.4%) without statistical significance. The C. trachomatis incidence and reinfection rate were 11 and 14 per 1,000 person-years, respectively, and showed no significant difference with respect to age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, and education levels. Furthermore, anti-Pgp3 antibody remained detectable in 93.3% (195/209) of the seropositive subjects during the 5 years of follow-up. The overall decay rate for anti-Pgp3 antibody for CT-infected persons was -0.123 Log2 RLU/year, which was dramatically slower than in CT new infection (-3.34 Log2 RLU/year) or reinfection (-1.1 Log2 RLU/year). In conclusion, at least one quarter of the people aged 18-65 years have been infected with C. trachomatis over their lifetime while all age groups are susceptible to C. trachomatis infection in the community of Northern China. Therefore, comprehensive prevention strategies are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Shui
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongjie Xie
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhui Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cailing Ao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongqing Lin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanhao Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingchun Dai
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shixing Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China
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Köstlbacher S, Collingro A, Halter T, Domman D, Horn M. Coevolving Plasmids Drive Gene Flow and Genome Plasticity in Host-Associated Intracellular Bacteria. Curr Biol 2021; 31:346-357.e3. [PMID: 33157023 PMCID: PMC7846284 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Plasmids are important in microbial evolution and adaptation to new environments. Yet, carrying a plasmid can be costly, and long-term association of plasmids with their hosts is poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence that the Chlamydiae, a phylum of strictly host-associated intracellular bacteria, have coevolved with their plasmids since their last common ancestor. Current chlamydial plasmids are amalgamations of at least one ancestral plasmid and a bacteriophage. We show that the majority of plasmid genes are also found on chromosomes of extant chlamydiae. The most conserved plasmid gene families are predominantly vertically inherited, while accessory plasmid gene families show significantly increased mobility. We reconstructed the evolutionary history of plasmid gene content of an entire bacterial phylum over a period of around one billion years. Frequent horizontal gene transfer and chromosomal integration events illustrate the pronounced impact of coevolution with these extrachromosomal elements on bacterial genome dynamics in host-dependent microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Köstlbacher
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Astrid Collingro
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Tamara Halter
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Daryl Domman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Parasites and Microbes Programme, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Matthias Horn
- University of Vienna, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Division of Microbial Ecology, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna 1090, Austria.
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Szabo KV, O’Neill CE, Clarke IN. Diversity in Chlamydial plasmids. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233298. [PMID: 32469898 PMCID: PMC7259575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evolutionary studies have been conducted that have investigated the chromosomal variance in the genus of Chlamydia. However, no all-encompassing genus-wide comparison has been performed on the plasmid. Therefore, there is a gap in the current knowledge on Chlamydia plasmid diversity. Aims This project is aimed to investigate and establish the nature and extent of diversity across the entire genus of Chlamydia, by comparing the sequences of all currently available plasmid carrying strains. Methods The PUBMED database was used to identify plasmid sequences from all available strains that met the set quality criteria for their inclusion in the study. Alignments were performed on the 51 strains that fulfilled the criteria using MEGA X software. Following that Maximum Likelihood estimation was used to construct 11 phylogenetic trees of the whole plasmid sequence, the individual 8 coding sequences, the iteron and a chromosomal gene ompA as a comparator. Results The genus-wide plasmid phylogeny produced three distinct lineages labelled as alpha, beta and gamma. Nineteen genotypes were found in the initial whole plasmid analysis. Their distribution was allocated as six C. pecorum, two C. pneumoniae, one C. gallinacea, one C. avium, one C. caviae, one C. felis, two C. psittaci, one C. trachomatis, one C. muridarum, and two C. suis. The chromosomal comparative gene ompA supported this distribution, with the same number of primary clades with the same species distribution. However, ompA sequence comparison resulted in fewer genotypes due to a reduced amount of available sequences (33 out of 51). All results were statistically significant. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the common bacterial ancestor of all the species had a plasmid, which has diverged over time. Moreover, it suggests that there is a strong evolutionary selection towards these species retaining their plasmids due to its high level of conservation across the genus, with the notable exception of C. pneumoniae. Furthermore, the evolutionary analysis showed that the plasmid and the chromosome have co-evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kolos V. Szabo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Colette E. O’Neill
- Molecular Microbiology Group, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
| | - Ian N. Clarke
- Molecular Microbiology Group, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
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