1
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Antwerpen M, Beyer W, Grass G. New Insights into the Phylogeny of the A.Br.161 ("A.Br.Heroin") Clade of Bacillus anthracis. Pathogens 2024; 13:593. [PMID: 39057820 PMCID: PMC11279936 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a rare but highly dangerous zoonotic bacterial pathogen. At the beginning of this century, a new manifestation of the disease, injectional anthrax, emerged as a result of recreational heroin consumption involving contaminated drugs. The organisms associated with this 13-year-lasting outbreak event in European drug consumers were all grouped into the canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) clade A-branch (A.Br.) 161 of B. anthracis. Related clade A.Br.161 strains of B. anthracis not associated with heroin consumption have also been identified from different countries, mostly in Asia. Because of inadvertent spread by anthropogenic activities, other strains of this A.Br.161 lineage were, however, isolated from several countries. Thus, without additional isolates from this clade, its origin of evolution or its autochthonous region remains obscure. Here, we genomically characterized six new A.Br.161 group isolates, some of which were from Iran, with others likely historically introduced into Germany. All the chromosomes of these isolates could be grouped into a distinct sub-clade within the A.Br.161 clade. This sub-clade is separated from the main A.Br.161 lineage by a single SNP. We have developed this SNP into a PCR assay facilitating the future attribution of strains to this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Antwerpen
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Beyer
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gregor Grass
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), 80937 Munich, Germany
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2
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Ning Y, Teng T, Wu X, Wang M, Jiao X, Qiao J. Development of an enzyme-linked phage receptor-binding protein assay (ELPRA) based on a novel biorecognition molecule- receptor-binding protein Gp130 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage Henu5. Enzyme Microb Technol 2024; 177:110442. [PMID: 38593554 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2024.110442] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium associated with life-threatening healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), including burn wound infections, pneumonia and sepsis. Moreover, P. aeruginosa has been considered a pathogen of global concern due to its rising antibiotic resistance. Efficient identification of P. aeruginosa would significantly benefit the containment of bacterial infections, prevent pathogen transmission, and provide orientated treatment options. The accuracy and specificity of bacterial detection are primarily dictated by the biorecognition molecules employed. Lytic bacteriophages (or phages) could specifically attach to and lyse host bacterial cells. Phages' host specificity is typically determined by their receptor-binding proteins (RBPs), which recognize and adsorb phages to particular bacterial host receptors. This makes RBPs promising biorecognition molecules in bacterial detection. This study identified a novel RBP (Gp130) from the P. aeruginosa phage Henu5. A modified enzyme-linked phage receptor-binding protein assay (ELPRA) was developed for P. aeruginosa detection employing Gp130 as biorecognition molecules. Optimized conditions provided a calibration curve for P. aeruginosa with a range from 1.0 × 103 to 1.0 × 107 CFU/mL, with a limit of detection as low as 10 CFU/mL in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). With VITEKⓇ 2 Compact system identification (40 positives and 21 negatives) as the gold standard, the sensitivity of ELPRA was 0.950 (0.818-0.991), and the specificity was 0.905 (0.682-0.983) within a 95 %confidence interval. Moreover, the recovery test in spiked mouse serum showed recovery rates ranging from 82.79 %to 98.17%, demonstrating the prospect of the proposed ELPRA for detecting P. aeruginosa in biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ning
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, PR China
| | - Tieshan Teng
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, PR China
| | - Xuehan Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, PR China
| | - Menglu Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, PR China
| | - Xin Jiao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, PR China
| | - Jinjuan Qiao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, PR China; Institutional Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, 12th 5-Year Project of Shandong Province, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, PR China.
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3
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Sousa C, Ferreira R, Santos SB, Azevedo NF, Melo LDR. Advances on diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:671-692. [PMID: 36264672 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2125287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The association of Helicobacter pylori to several gastric diseases, such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, and its high prevalence worldwide, raised the necessity to use methods for a proper and fast diagnosis and monitoring the pathogen eradication. Available diagnostic methods can be classified as invasive or non-invasive, and the selection of the best relies on the clinical condition of the patient, as well as on the sensitivity, specificity, and accessibility of the diagnostic test. This review summarises all diagnostic methods currently available, including the invasive methods: endoscopy, histology, culture, and molecular methods, and the rapid urease test (RUT), as well as the non-invasive methods urea breath test (UBT), serological assays, biosensors, and microfluidic devices and the stool antigen test (SAT). Moreover, it lists the diagnostic advantages and limitations, as well as the main advances for each methodology. In the end, research on the development of new diagnostic methods, such as bacteriophage-based H. pylori diagnostic tools, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Sousa
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rute Ferreira
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvio B Santos
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno F Azevedo
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís D R Melo
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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4
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Forrest S, Ton S, Sholes SL, Harrison S, Plaut RD, Verratti K, Wittekind M, Ettehadieh E, Necciai B, Sozhamannan S, Grady SL. Genetic evidence for the interaction between Bacillus anthracis-encoded phage receptors and their cognate phage-encoded receptor binding proteins. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1278791. [PMID: 38029077 PMCID: PMC10644760 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1278791] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages such as γ and AP50c have been shown to infect strains of Bacillus anthracis with high specificity, and this feature has been exploited in the development of bacterial detection assays. To better understand the emergence of phage resistance, and thus the potential failure of such assays, it is important to identify the host and phage receptors necessary for attachment and entry. Using genetic approaches, the bacterial receptors of AP50c and γ have been identified as sap and GamR, respectively. A second AP50c-like phage, Wip1, also appears to use sap as a receptor. In parallel with this work, the cognate phage-encoded receptor binding proteins (RBPs) have also been identified (Gp14 for γ, P28 for AP50c, and P23 for Wip1); however, the strength of evidence supporting these protein-protein interactions varies, necessitating additional investigation. Here, we present genetic evidence further supporting the interaction between sap and the RBPs of AP50c and Wip1 using fluorescently tagged proteins and a panel of B. anthracis mutants. These results showed that the deletion of the sap gene, as well as the deletion of csaB, whose encoded protein anchors sap to the bacterial S-layer, resulted in the loss of RBP binding. Binding could then be rescued by expressing these genes in trans. We also found that the RBP of the γ-like prophage λBa03 relied on csaB activity for binding, possibly by a different mechanism. RBPλBa03 binding to B. anthracis cells was also unique in that it was not ablated by heat inactivation of vegetative cells, suggesting that its receptor is still functional following incubation at 98°C. These results extend our understanding of the diverse attachment and entry strategies used by B. anthracis phages, enabling future assay development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Forrest
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Ton
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Samantha L. Sholes
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Harrison
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Roger D. Plaut
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Kathleen Verratti
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Bryan Necciai
- Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), Joint Project Lead for CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Shanmuga Sozhamannan
- Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), Joint Project Lead for CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies, Frederick, MD, United States
- Joint Research and Development, Inc., Stafford, VA, United States
| | - Sarah L. Grady
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
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Tasdurmazli S, Dokuz S, Erdogdu B, Var I, Chen JYS, Ozbek T. The evaluation of biotechnological potential of Gp144, the key molecule of natural predator bacteriophage K in Staphylococcus aureus hunting mechanism. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2300145. [PMID: 37300362 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages, which selectively infect bacteria, and phage-derived structures are considered promising agents for the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections due to the increasing antibiotic resistance. The binding of phages to their specific receptors on host bacteria is highly specific and irreversible, and therefore, the characterization of receptor-binding proteins(RBPs), which are key determinants of phage specificity, is crucial for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic products. This study highlights the biotechnological potential of Gp144, an RBP located in the tail baseplate of bacteriophage K and responsible for adsorption of phageK to S. aureus. Once it was established that recombinant Gp144 (rGp144)is biocompatible and does not exhibit lytic effects on bacteria, its interaction with the host, the binding efficiency and performance were assessed in vitro using microscopic and serological methods. Results showed that rGp144 has a capture efficiency (CE) of over 87% and the best CE score is %96 which captured 9 CFU mL-1 out of 10 CFU mL-1 bacteria, indicating that very low number of bacteria could be detected. Additionally, it was shown for the first time in the literature that rGp144 binds to both S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) cells in vitro, while its affinity to different Gram-positive bacteria (E. faecalis and B. cereus) was not observed. The findings suggest that rGp144 can be effectively used for the diagnosis of S. aureus and MRSA, and that the use of RBPs in host-phage interaction can be a novel and effective strategy for imaging and diagnosing the site of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semra Tasdurmazli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Senanur Dokuz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Berna Erdogdu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Isil Var
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural, Cukurova University, Sarıcam-Adana, Turkey
| | - John Yu-Shen Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tulin Ozbek
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
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6
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Noreika A, Rutkiene R, Dumalakienė I, Vilienė R, Laurynėnas A, Povilonienė S, Skapas M, Meškys R, Kaliniene L. Insights into the Alcyoneusvirus Adsorption Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119320. [PMID: 37298271 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The structures of the Caudovirales phage tails are key factors in determining the host specificity of these viruses. However, because of the enormous structural diversity, the molecular anatomy of the host recognition apparatus has been elucidated in only a number of phages. Klebsiella viruses vB_KleM_RaK2 (RaK2) and phiK64-1, which form a new genus Alcyoneusvirus according to the ICTV, have perhaps one of the most structurally sophisticated adsorption complexes of all tailed viruses described to date. Here, to gain insight into the early steps of the alcyoneusvirus infection process, the adsorption apparatus of bacteriophage RaK2 is studied in silico and in vitro. We experimentally demonstrate that ten proteins, gp098 and gp526-gp534, previously designated as putative structural/tail fiber proteins (TFPs), are present in the adsorption complex of RaK2. We show that two of these proteins, gp098 and gp531, are essential for attaching to Klebsiella pneumoniae KV-3 cells: gp531 is an active depolymerase that recognizes and degrades the capsule of this particular host, while gp098 is a secondary receptor-binding protein that requires the coordinated action of gp531. Finally, we demonstrate that RaK2 long tail fibers consist of nine TFPs, seven of which are depolymerases, and propose a model for their assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Algirdas Noreika
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Rutkiene
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Irena Dumalakienė
- Department of Immunology, State Research Institute Center for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių St. 5, LT-08410 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rita Vilienė
- Department of Immunology, State Research Institute Center for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių St. 5, LT-08410 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Audrius Laurynėnas
- Department of Bioanalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Simona Povilonienė
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Martynas Skapas
- Department of Characterisation of Materials Structure, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio Av. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rolandas Meškys
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Laura Kaliniene
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
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7
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Costa SP, Nogueira CL, Cunha AP, Lisac A, Carvalho CM. Potential of bacteriophage proteins as recognition molecules for pathogen detection. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2022:1-18. [PMID: 35848817 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2071671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are leading causes of infections with high mortality worldwide having a great impact on healthcare systems and the food industry. Gold standard methods for bacterial detection mainly rely on culture-based technologies and biochemical tests which are laborious and time-consuming. Regardless of several developments in existing methods, the goal of achieving high sensitivity and specificity, as well as a low detection limit, remains unaccomplished. In past years, various biorecognition elements, such as antibodies, enzymes, aptamers, or nucleic acids, have been widely used, being crucial for the pathogens detection in different complex matrices. However, these molecules are usually associated with high detection limits, demand laborious and costly production, and usually present cross-reactivity. (Bacterio)phage-encoded proteins, especially the receptor binding proteins (RBPs) and cell-wall binding domains (CBDs) of endolysins, are responsible for the phage binding to the bacterial surface receptors in different stages of the phage lytic cycle. Due to their remarkable properties, such as high specificity, sensitivity, stability, and ability to be easily engineered, they are appointed as excellent candidates to replace conventional recognition molecules, thereby contributing to the improvement of the detection methods. Moreover, they offer several possibilities of application in a variety of detection systems, such as magnetic, optical, and electrochemical. Herein we provide a review of phage-derived bacterial binding proteins, namely the RBPs and CBDs, with the prospect to be employed as recognition elements for bacteria. Moreover, we summarize and discuss the various existing methods based on these proteins for the detection of nosocomial and foodborne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana P Costa
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores-Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), IN-Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnolnology, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina L Nogueira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores-Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), IN-Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnolnology, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra P Cunha
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Lisac
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Carla M Carvalho
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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8
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Reoccurring bovine anthrax in Germany on the same pasture after 12 years. J Clin Microbiol 2022; 60:e0229121. [PMID: 35195442 PMCID: PMC8925895 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02291-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic disease anthrax, caused by the endospore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is very rare in Germany. In the state of Bavaria, the last case occurred in July of 2009, resulting in four dead cows. In August of 2021, the disease reemerged after heavy rains, killing one gestating cow. Notably, both outbreaks affected the same pasture, suggesting a close epidemiological connection. B. anthracis could be grown from blood culture, and the presence of both virulence plasmids (pXO1 and pXO2) was confirmed by PCR. Also, recently developed diagnostic tools enabled rapid detection of B. anthracis cells and nucleic acids directly in clinical samples. The complete genome of the strain isolated from blood, designated BF-5, was DNA sequenced and phylogenetically grouped within the B.Br.CNEVA clade, which is typical for European B. anthracis strains. The genome was almost identical to BF-1, the isolate from 2009, separated only by three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the chromosome, one on plasmid pXO2 and three indel regions. Further, B. anthracis DNA was detected by PCR from soil samples taken from spots in the pasture where the cow had fallen. New tools based on phage receptor-binding proteins enabled the microscopic detection and isolation of B. anthracis directly from soil samples. These environmental isolates were genotyped and found to be identical to BF-5 in terms of SNPs. Therefore, it seems that the BF-5 genotype is currently the prevalent one at the affected premises. The area contaminated by the cadaver was subsequently disinfected with formaldehyde.
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9
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Nakonieczna A, Rutyna P, Fedorowicz M, Kwiatek M, Mizak L, Łobocka M. Three Novel Bacteriophages, J5a, F16Ba, and z1a, Specific for Bacillus anthracis, Define a New Clade of Historical Wbeta Phage Relatives. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020213. [PMID: 35215807 PMCID: PMC8878798 DOI: 10.3390/v14020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a potent biowarfare agent, able to be highly lethal. The bacteria dwell in the soil of certain regions, as natural flora. Bacteriophages or their lytic enzymes, endolysins, may be an alternative for antibiotics and other antibacterials to fight this pathogen in infections and to minimize environmental contamination with anthrax endospores. Upon screening environmental samples from various regions in Poland, we isolated three new siphophages, J5a, F16Ba, and z1a, specific for B. anthracis. They represent new species related to historical anthrax phages Gamma, Cherry, and Fah, and to phage Wbeta of Wbetavirus genus. We show that the new phages and their closest relatives, phages Tavor_SA, Negev_SA, and Carmel_SA, form a separate clade of the Wbetavirus genus, designated as J5a clade. The most distinctive feature of J5a clade phages is their cell lysis module. While in the historical phages it encodes a canonical endolysin and a class III holin, in J5a clade phages it encodes an endolysin with a signal peptide and two putative holins. We present the basic characteristic of the isolated phages. Their comparative genomic analysis indicates that they encode two receptor-binding proteins, of which one may bind a sugar moiety of B. anthracis cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Nakonieczna
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (P.R.); (M.F.); (M.K.); (L.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.N.); (M.Ł.)
| | - Paweł Rutyna
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (P.R.); (M.F.); (M.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Magdalena Fedorowicz
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (P.R.); (M.F.); (M.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Magdalena Kwiatek
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (P.R.); (M.F.); (M.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Lidia Mizak
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (P.R.); (M.F.); (M.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Małgorzata Łobocka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: (A.N.); (M.Ł.)
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10
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Braun P, Rupprich N, Neif D, Grass G. Enzyme-Linked Phage Receptor Binding Protein Assays (ELPRA) Enable Identification of Bacillus anthracis Colonies. Viruses 2021; 13:1462. [PMID: 34452328 PMCID: PMC8402711 DOI: 10.3390/v13081462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage receptor binding proteins (RBPs) are employed by viruses to recognize specific surface structures on bacterial host cells. Recombinant RBPs have been utilized for detection of several pathogens, typically as fusions with reporter enzymes or fluorescent proteins. Identification of Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, can be difficult because of the bacterium's close relationship with other species of the Bacillus cereussensu lato group. Here, we facilitated the identification of B. anthracis using two implementations of enzyme-linked phage receptor binding protein assays (ELPRA). We developed a single-tube centrifugation assay simplifying the rapid analysis of suspect colonies. A second assay enables identification of suspect colonies from mixed overgrown solid (agar) media derived from the complex matrix soil. Thus, these tests identified vegetative cells of B. anthracis with little processing time and may support or confirm pathogen detection by molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gregor Grass
- Department of Bacteriology and Toxinology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.B.); (N.R.); (D.N.)
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11
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Abraha HB, Kim K, Sbhatu DB. Bacteriophages for detection and control of foodborne bacterial pathogens—The case of
Bacillus cereus
and their phages. J Food Saf 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jfs.12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haftom Baraki Abraha
- Department of Food Science and Technology Jeonbuk National University Jeonju Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang‐Pyo Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology Jeonbuk National University Jeonju Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology Collage of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University Jeonju Republic of Korea
| | - Desta Berhe Sbhatu
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering Mekelle Institute of Technology, Mekelle University Mekelle Ethiopia
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12
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Sozhamannan S, Hofmann ER. The State of the Art in Biodefense Related Bacterial Pathogen Detection Using Bacteriophages: How It Started and How It's Going. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121393. [PMID: 33291831 PMCID: PMC7762055 DOI: 10.3390/v12121393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate pathogen detection and diagnosis is paramount in clinical success of treating patients. There are two general paradigms in pathogen detection: molecular and immuno-based, and phage-based detection is a third emerging paradigm due to its sensitivity and selectivity. Molecular detection methods look for genetic material specific for a given pathogen in a sample usually by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immuno-methods look at the pathogen components (antigens) by antibodies raised against that pathogen specific antigens. There are different variations and products based on these two paradigms with advantages and disadvantages. The third paradigm at least for bacterial pathogen detection entails bacteriophages specific for a given bacterium. Sensitivity and specificity are the two key parameters in any pathogen detection system. By their very nature, bacteriophages afford the best sensitivity for bacterial detection. Bacteria and bacteriophages form the predator-prey pair in the evolutionary arms race and has coevolved over time to acquire the exquisite specificity of the pair, in some instances at the strain level. This specificity has been exploited for diagnostic purposes of various pathogens of concern in clinical and other settings. Many recent reviews focus on phage-based detection and sensor technologies. In this review, we focus on a very special group of pathogens that are of concern in biodefense because of their potential misuse in bioterrorism and their extremely virulent nature and as such fall under the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) Category A pathogen list. We describe the currently available phage methods that are based on the usual modalities of detection from culture, to molecular and immuno- and fluorescent methods. We further highlight the gaps and the needs for more modern technologies and sensors drawing from technologies existing for detection and surveillance of other pathogens of clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmuga Sozhamannan
- National Security Science & Technology, Management Advisory Services, Logistics Management Institute, 7940 Jones Branch Drive, Tysons, VA 22102, USA;
- Defense Biological Product Assurance Office (DBPAO), Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (CBRND) Joint Project Lead (JPL) CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies (EB), 110 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 250, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Edward R. Hofmann
- EXCET, Inc., 6225 Brandon Ave #360, Springfield, VA 22150, USA
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center, 8908 Guard St, E3831, Edgewood, MD 21010, USA
- Correspondence:
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Specific Detection of Yersinia pestis Based on Receptor Binding Proteins of Phages. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9080611. [PMID: 32727041 PMCID: PMC7460101 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly pathogenic bacterium Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague, a notorious infectious zoonotic disease. When transmitted from person to person as pneumonic plague via droplets, Y. pestis is highly contagious and in most cases is fatal if left untreated. Thus, when plague is suspected, rapid diagnosis is crucial, as a serious course of the infection is only averted by early antibiotic therapy. The bacterium is easy to cultivate, accessible and has a high potential for nefarious use such as bioterrorism. Highly specific, rapid and easy-to-use confirmatory diagnostic methods are required to reliably identify the pathogen independently from PCR-based methods or F1 antigen-based immunological detection. Yersinia pestis specific phages such as L-413C and ΦA1122 are already used for detection of Y. pestis in bacterial plaque or biosensor assays. Here, we made use of the host specificities conferred by phage receptor binding (or tail fiber/spike) proteins (RBP) for developing a specific, fast and simple fluorescence-microscopy-based detection method for Y. pestis. Genes of putative RBP of phages L-413C (gpH) and ΦA1122 (gp17) were fused with those of fluorescent proteins and recombinant receptor-reporter fusion proteins were produced heterologously in Escherichia coli. When first tested on attenuated Y. pestis strain EV76, RBP-reporters bound to the bacterial cell surface. This assay could be completed within a few minutes using live or formaldehyde-inactivated cells. Specificity tests using cultures of closely related Yersinia species and several inactivated fully virulent Y. pestis strains exhibited high specificities of the RBP-reporters against Y. pestis. The L-413C RBP proved to be especially specific, as it only detected Y. pestis at all temperatures tested, whereas the RBP of ΦA1122 also bound to Y. pseudotuberculosis strains at 37 °C (but not at 28, 20 or 6 °C). Finally, the Y. pestis-specific capsule, produced when grown at 37 °C, significantly reduced binding of phage ΦA1122 RBP, whereas the capsule only slightly diminished binding of L-413C RBP.
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