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Liyanagama I, Oh S, Choi JH, Yi MH, Kim M, Yun S, Kang D, Kim SL, Ojeda Ayala MG, Odua F, Yong TS, Kim JY. Metabarcoding study of potential pathogens and zoonotic risks associated with dog feces in Seoul, South Korea. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012441. [PMID: 39196875 PMCID: PMC11355564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant portion of South Korea's population, approximately a quarter, owns pets, with dogs being the most popular choice among them. However, studies analyzing the fecal organism communities of dogs in South Korea are lacking, and limited efforts have been exerted to identify pathogens with potential zoonotic implications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate potential pathogens using metabarcoding analysis and evaluate the risk of zoonotic diseases in dog feces in Seoul, South Korea. METHODOLOGY Fecal samples were collected from both pet and stray dogs in the Mapo district of Seoul. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was utilized, employing 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to identify prokaryotic pathogens, and 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing for eukaryotic pathogens. The data obtained from the QIIME2 pipeline were subjected to various statistical analyses to identify different putative pathogens and their compositions. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Significant variations in microbiota composition were found between stray and pet dogs, and putative prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens were identified. The most prevalent putative bacterial pathogens were Fusobacterium, Helicobacter, and Campylobacter. The most prevalent putative eukaryotic pathogens were Giardia, Pentatrichomonas, and Cystoisospora. Interestingly, Campylobacter, Giardia, and Pentatrichomonas were found to be significantly more prevalent in stray dogs than in pet dogs. The variation in the prevalence of potential pathogens in dog feces could be attributed to environmental factors, including dietary variances and interactions with wildlife, particularly in stray dogs. These factors likely contributed to the observed differences in pathogen occurrence between stray and pet dogs. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study offers valuable insights into the zoonotic risks associated with dog populations residing in diverse environments. By identifying and characterizing putative pathogens in dog feces, this research provides essential information on the impact of habitat on dog-associated pathogens, highlighting the importance of public health planning and zoonotic risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isuru Liyanagama
- Department of Global Health and Disease Control, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Animal Production and Health, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | - Singeun Oh
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jun Ho Choi
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-hee Yi
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungjun Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyeon Yun
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongjun Kang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Lim Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Maria Gloria Ojeda Ayala
- Department of Global Health and Disease Control, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Fred Odua
- Department of Global Health and Disease Control, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Production Department, Nakasongola, Uganda
| | - Tai-Soon Yong
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Yeong Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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Duarte A, Pereira L, Lemos ML, Pinto M, Rodrigues JC, Matias R, Santos A, Oleastro M. Epidemiological Data and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter spp. in Portugal from 13 Years of Surveillance. Pathogens 2024; 13:147. [PMID: 38392885 PMCID: PMC10893263 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020147] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study extensively analyzed campylobacteriosis surveillance in Portugal from 2009 to 2021, aiming to investigate demographic shifts, seasonal variations, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within Campylobacter isolates. Surveillance network and sentinel laboratory-based system data revealed a substantial under-notification of campylobacteriosis cases, suggesting an underestimated disease burden. Notification rates exhibited a paradigm shift, with a notable prevalence among the pediatric population, particularly in children aged 1-4 years, diverging from European reports. Additionally, an emerging trend of Campylobacter infections in younger adults (15-44 years) was observed. The study unveiled a unique seasonal distribution of cases, defying typical summer peaks seen elsewhere. AMR analysis revealed high resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, in both C. jejuni (93.7% and 79.2%, respectively) and C. coli (96.5% and 93.2%, respectively), stable throughout the studied period (2013-2021). C. coli exhibited significantly higher resistance to erythromycin, gentamicin, ampicillin and ertapenem compared to C. jejuni (p < 0.001). Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) data demonstrated the distribution of resistance markers across diverse sequence types, challenging the notion of a clonal origin for multidrug-resistant isolates. In conclusion, the study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and raises concerns about alarming AMR levels, recommending the implementation of whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based surveillance for a deeper comprehension of disease patterns and an evolving AMR landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Duarte
- Chemistry Department, Sciences Faculty, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Luísa Pereira
- CMA-UBI, Centre of Mathematics and Applications, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Maria-Leonor Lemos
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.-L.L.); (J.C.R.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
- ICBAS-Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Pinto
- Genomics and Bioinformatis Unit, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - João Carlos Rodrigues
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.-L.L.); (J.C.R.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Rui Matias
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.-L.L.); (J.C.R.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Santos
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.-L.L.); (J.C.R.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
| | | | - Mónica Oleastro
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.-L.L.); (J.C.R.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
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Yildiz M, Sahin O, Adiguzel MC. Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species in shelter-housed healthy and diarrheic cats and dogs in Turkey. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1327. [PMID: 37990962 PMCID: PMC10766042 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Campylobacter spp. are among the leading foodborne bacterial pathogens. Pet animals may be an important reservoir for human infection. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles and mechanisms of Campylobacter isolates recovered from shelter-housed healthy and diarrheic cats and dogs in Erzurum province in Turkey. METHODS A total of 250 rectal swabs (from 124 cats and 126 dogs) collected between 2020 and 2021 were included in this study. The samples were cultured using a Campylobacter-selective agar medium. A single suspect colony from each plate was purified and species identification was performed by PCR. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined against eight antibiotics. Specific antimicrobial resistance genes (tetO and aphA-3) and mutations (in gyrA) were screened by PCR and/or sequencing. RESULTS A total of 26 (10.4%) isolates (25 Campylobacter jejuni and 1 Campylobacter coli) were obtained from the dogs; no Campylobacter was isolated from the cats. Of the C. jejuni isolates, 19.2% were resistant to nalidixic acid, 7.7% to ciprofloxacin and 3.8% to tetracycline and gentamicin per the CLSI interpretative criteria. The C. coli isolate was susceptible to all of the tested antibiotics. Thr-86-Ile mutation was the most common change detected in the gyrA gene in the quinolone-resistant isolates. CONCLUSION While geographic and population differences exist, Campylobacter carriage and associated antibiotic resistance in dogs is common, emphasising the need for continuous surveillance in this species, particularly given its zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Yildiz
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of MicrobiologyAtaturk UniversityErzurumTurkey
| | - Orhan Sahin
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal MedicineCollege of Veterinary MedicineIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Mehmet Cemal Adiguzel
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of MicrobiologyAtaturk UniversityErzurumTurkey
- Veterinary Vaccine and Biological Product Development Application and Research CenterAtaturk UniversityErzurumTurkey
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Joachim A, Auersperg V, Drüe J, Wiedermann S, Hinney B, Spergser J. Parasites and zoonotic bacteria in the feces of cats and dogs from animal shelters in Carinthia, Austria. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:105022. [PMID: 37741041 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Due to their close associations with humans, dogs and cats can be important reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens. In the current study 200 fecal samples of dogs (n = 70 samples) and cats (n = 130 samples) from animal shelters in Carinthia, southern Austria, were examined for the presence of parasites (fecal flotation and larval migration assay) and selected bacteria. Overall, 17.1% of the canine and 38.5% of the feline samples were positive for parasites (p < 0.001), most commonly Giardia duodenalis (dogs and cats), including potentially zoonotic genotypes revealed by multilocus genotyping, and Toxocara cati (cats). Cryptosporidium (C. felis), Cystoisospora spp. (dogs and cats), hookworms (dog), Trichuris (dog) Capillaria hepatica (cats), taeniids (cat), and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (cat) were also found. Zoonotic bacteria were detected in 10.5% of the samples, Salmonella enterica (dogs), Campylobacter jejuni (dogs and cats) and Yersinia enterocolitica (cat) and were significantly associated with parasite infections in cats but not in dogs. Samples that were positive for several pathogens were common; especially G. duodenalis and T. cati were frequently found in association with each other, other parasites or bacteria. The spectrum of detected pathogens is comparable to that of other dog and cat populations in central Europe. However, since animals from shelters are frequently rehomed, diagnostic measures, appropriate hygiene and therapy as well as training of shelter staff are recommended to prevent zoonotic transmission of enteropathogens to staff or new owners. The presence of heteroxenic parasites, i.e. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Taenia taeniaeformis, and spurious excretion of Ca. hepatica in cats, indicates that these animals preyed on intermediate hosts, and that biosafety measures in pet shelters need to be evaluated for their efficacy in the prevention of pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Valerie Auersperg
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Joel Drüe
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sandra Wiedermann
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Joachim Spergser
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Mudau M, Ngobeni-Nyambi R, Momba MNB. The Fascinating Cross-Paths of Pathogenic Bacteria, Human and Animal Faecal Sources in Water-Stressed Communities of Vhembe District, South Africa. Pathogens 2023; 12:1085. [PMID: 37764893 PMCID: PMC10535812 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Access to clean and safe drinking water still remains a major challenge in the developing world, causing public health risks in terms of waterborne infections, especially in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to track and detect enteric pathogens (Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium str. LT2, Shigella flexneri, and Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni) in rural water sources. It also sought to establish a correlation between these pathogens and the sources of faecal pollution. Multiplex qPCR and specific primers and probes were used for detection and tracking. The study successfully correlated the occurrence of target pathogens with sources of human and animal faecal contamination using host-specific genetic markers (BacHum and HF183 for humans, BacCow for cows, Pig-2-Bac for pigs, Cytb for chickens, and BacCan for dogs). The study revealed that enteric pathogens were found in 47.69% and 32.80% of samples during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. These pathogens were associated with human or animal faecal contamination. Correlations between pathogens and contamination sources were significant (p ≤ 0.05), with varying strengths during the wet and dry seasons. The findings emphasize the importance of identifying faecal contamination sources to protect rural communities from waterborne infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulalo Mudau
- Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Arcadia Campus, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Renay Ngobeni-Nyambi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Maggy Ndombo Benteke Momba
- Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Arcadia Campus, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Olvera-Ramírez AM, McEwan NR, Stanley K, Nava-Diaz R, Aguilar-Tipacamú G. A Systematic Review on the Role of Wildlife as Carriers and Spreaders of Campylobacter spp. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081334. [PMID: 37106897 PMCID: PMC10135385 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter spp. are important zoonotic pathogens and can cause one of the main bacterial diarrheal diseases worldwide. Research in the context of infection arising from transmission from other humans and other vertebrates has been extensive. A large fraction of these investigations has focused on domestic animals; however, there are also a number of publications which either totally, or at least in part, consider the role of wild or feral animals as carriers or spreaders of Campylobacter spp. Here, we carry out a systematic review to explore the role played by wild vertebrates as sources of Campylobacter spp. with a compilation of prevalence data for more than 150 species including reptiles, mammals and birds. We found that numerous vertebrate species can act as carriers of Campylobacter species, but we also found that some host specificity may exist, reducing the risk of spread from wildlife to domestic animals or humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Margarita Olvera-Ramírez
- Cuerpo Académico Salud Animal y Microbiología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Avenida de las Ciencias S/N, Juriquilla, Delegación Santa Rosa Jáuregui, Querétaro C.P. 76230, Mexico
| | - Neil Ross McEwan
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Karen Stanley
- Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
| | - Remedios Nava-Diaz
- Posdoctoral CONACyT Program, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Avenida de las Ciencias S/N, Juriquilla, Delegación Santa Rosa Jáuregui, Querétaro C.P. 76230, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Aguilar-Tipacamú
- Cuerpo Académico Salud Animal y Microbiología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Avenida de las Ciencias S/N, Juriquilla, Delegación Santa Rosa Jáuregui, Querétaro C.P. 76230, Mexico
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Low-Level Tetracycline Resistance Gene tet(O)_3 in Campylobacter jejuni. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030426. [PMID: 36978293 PMCID: PMC10044288 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter (C.) spp. are the most important foodborne, bacterial, and zoonotic pathogens worldwide. Resistance monitoring of foodborne bacterial pathogens is an important tool to control antimicrobial resistance as a part of the “One Health” approach. The detection and functionality of new resistance genes are of paramount importance in applying more effective screening methods based on whole genome sequencing (WGS). Most tetracycline-resistant C. spp. isolates harbor tet(O), a gene that encodes a ribosomal protection protein. Here we describe tet(O)_3, which has been identified in two food isolates of C. jejuni and is very similar to the tet(O) gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae, having a truncated promoter sequence. This gene confers resistance to tetracycline below 1 mg/L, which is the epidemiological cut-off value. We have analyzed the entire genome of these two isolates, together with a C. jejuni isolate found to have high-level resistance to tetracycline. In contrast to the highly resistant isolate, the promoter of tet(O)_3 is highly responsive to tetracycline, as observed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the two isolates possess a CRISPR repeat, fluoroquinolone resistance due to the gyrA point mutation C257T, a β-lactamase resistance gene blaOXA-184, a multidrug efflux pump CmeABC and its repressor CmeR, but no plasmid. Low-level antibiotic resistant C. jejuni might therefore have an advantage for surviving in non-host environments.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Campylobacter is a major foodborne pathogen that infects the human intestinal tract. This review discusses the current status of antibiotic resistance, transmission of antibiotic resistance genes, and strategies to combat the global Campylobacter epidemic. RECENT FINDINGS Over the past 18 months, articles on Campylobacter antibiotic resistance have been published in ∼39 countries. Antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter have been detected in humans, livestock, poultry, wild animals, the environment, and food. Campylobacter spp. are resistant to a wide spectrum of antimicrobial agents, including the antibiotics quinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and chloramphenicols. Multidrug resistance is a globally emerging problem. Continuous antibiotic pressure promotes the spread of drug-resistant Campylobacter spp. Additionally, Campylobacter is well adapted to acquiring foreign drug resistance genes, including ermB, optrA, fexA, and cfrC, which are usually acquired from gram-positive bacteria. SUMMARY The widespread use of antibiotics has caused a global epidemic of drug-resistant Campylobacter infections. Many countries are actively reducing the use of antibiotics and adopting alternatives in the livestock and poultry industries to control the spread of drug-resistant Campylobacter spp.
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Pan-Genome Analysis of Campylobacter: Insights on the Genomic Diversity and Virulence Profile. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0102922. [PMID: 36069574 PMCID: PMC9602946 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01029-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Campylobacter contains pathogens that cause bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and animals. Despite large-scale sequencing efforts to raise clinical awareness of Campylobacter, little is known about the diversity and functions of virulence factors. Here, we constructed the pan-genome of Campylobacter using 39 representative genomes, elucidating their genetic diversity, evolutionary characteristics, and virulence and resistance profiles. The Campylobacter pan-genome was open and showed extensive genome variability, with high levels of gene expansion and contraction as the organism evolved. These Campylobacter members had diverse virulence gene content, and six potential core virulence genes (porA, PEB4, cheY, htrB, Cj1135, and kpsF) have been identified. The conserved mechanisms for Campylobacter pathogenicity were related to adherence, motility, and immune modulation. We emphasized the relative importance of variable virulence genes. Many virulence genes have experienced expansion or contraction in specific lineages, which may be one of the factors causing differences in the content of virulence genes. Additionally, these Campylobacter genomes have a high prevalence of the cmeA and cmeC genes, which are linked to the CmeABC pump and contribute to multidrug resistance. The genomic variations, core and variable virulence factors, and resistance genes of Campylobacter characterized in this study would contribute to a better understanding of the virulence of Campylobacter and more effective use of candidates for drug development and prevention of Campylobacter infections. IMPORTANCE Pathogenic members of the genus Campylobacter are recognized as one of the major causative agents of human bacterial gastroenteritis. This study revealed the pan-genome of 39 Campylobacter species, provided the most updated reconstruction of the global virulence gene pool of 39 Campylobacter species, and identified species-related virulence differences. This study highlighted the basic conserved functionality and specificity of pathogenicity that are crucial to infection, which was critical for improving the diagnosis and prevention of Campylobacter infections.
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Tanoeiro L, Oleastro M, Nunes A, Marques AT, Duarte SV, Gomes JP, Matos APA, Vítor JMB, Vale FF. Cryptic Prophages Contribution for Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Introgression. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030516. [PMID: 35336092 PMCID: PMC8955182 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Campylobacter coli and C. jejuni, the causing agents of campylobacteriosis, are described to be undergoing introgression events, i.e., the transference of genetic material between different species, with some isolates sharing almost a quarter of its genome. The participation of phages in introgression events and consequent impact on host ecology and evolution remain elusive. Three distinct prophages, named C. jejuni integrated elements 1, 2, and 4 (CJIE1, CJIE2, and CJIE4), are described in C. jejuni. Here, we identified two unreported prophages, Campylobacter coli integrated elements 1 and 2 (CCIE1 and CCIE2 prophages), which are C. coli homologues of CJIE1 and CJIE2, respectively. No induction was achieved for both prophages. Conversely, induction assays on CJIE1 and CJIE2 point towards the inducibility of these prophages. CCIE2-, CJIE1-, and CJIE4-like prophages were identified in a Campylobacter spp. population of 840 genomes, and phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering in three major groups: CJIE1-CCIE1, CJIE2-CCIE2, and CJIE4, clearly segregating prophages from C. jejuni and C. coli, but not from human- and nonhuman-derived isolates, corroborating the flowing between animals and humans in the agricultural context. Punctual bacteriophage host-jumps were observed in the context of C. jejuni and C. coli, and although random chance cannot be fully discarded, these observations seem to implicate prophages in evolutionary introgression events that are modulating the hybridization of C. jejuni and C. coli species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Tanoeiro
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.T.); (A.T.M.); (J.M.B.V.)
| | - Mónica Oleastro
- National Reference Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1600-609 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Alexandra Nunes
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1600-609 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.N.); (J.P.G.)
| | - Andreia T. Marques
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.T.); (A.T.M.); (J.M.B.V.)
| | - Sílvia Vaz Duarte
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1600-609 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1600-609 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.N.); (J.P.G.)
| | - António Pedro Alves Matos
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - Jorge M. B. Vítor
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.T.); (A.T.M.); (J.M.B.V.)
| | - Filipa F. Vale
- Pathogen Genome Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed-ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (L.T.); (A.T.M.); (J.M.B.V.)
- Correspondence: or
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